Grace Swain and the Artwork Behind the Treaty One Welcome Installation

Grace Swain and the Artwork Behind the “Welcome to Treaty One Territory” Land Acknowledgement Installation

Treaty One Nations is proud to feature the work of Indigenous artist Grace Swain in the permanent “Welcome to Treaty One Territory” installation at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

Displayed in one of the busiest public entry points in Manitoba, the artwork offers a meaningful welcome into Treaty One Territory and reflects the identity, presence, and teachings of the seven Treaty One First Nations.

Grace’s work brings together cultural symbolism, movement, and story in a way that grounds the space in the truth of the land and the Nations who have cared for it since time immemorial.

About the Artist

Grace Swain is an Indigenous artist, speaker, and advocate from Swan Lake First Nation on her father’s side and Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on her mother’s side.

Her work is rooted in the Woodland style and is known for carrying strong visual storytelling through themes of land, identity, spirit, and cultural continuity. Through her art, Grace brings forward teachings in a way that is both accessible and deeply meaningful, creating pieces that invite reflection, learning, and connection.

For the “Welcome to Treaty One Territory” installation, Grace created an original work that reflects the significance of this place and the Nations it represents. Her artwork helps transform a high-traffic public space into one that visibly acknowledges Treaty One Territory and the people whose presence continues to shape it.

About the Artwork

Created for Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, the “Welcome to Treaty One Territory” artwork is a visual welcome into Treaty One Territory.

The piece was designed to reflect the seven Treaty One First Nations and the values, teachings, and relationships that continue to guide the people of this territory. Using Woodland-inspired forms and movement, the artwork brings together symbols of land, water, spirit, and community.

Placed in a major travel hub, the installation ensures that travellers arriving in Winnipeg are met with a visible acknowledgment of Treaty One Territory. It also serves as a point of pride for First Nations people, whose presence, histories, and futures are reflected in the space.

This artwork is not only a welcome. It is a recognition of Treaty land, a reflection of Indigenous identity, and a reminder that this territory carries deep history, responsibility, and meaning.

Artwork Symbolism

Seven Stars Above the Sun

The seven stars represent the seven First Nations of Treaty One, mapped into the sky. In Anishinaabe teachings, the night sky serves as a map, clock, and calendar. The stars carry guidance from our ancestors and reflect the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

The Sun Within the Turtle’s Shell

The sun’s seven rays represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the seven First Nations of Treaty One, reinforcing the connection between the people, the land, and the teachings of our ancestors.

Water and Dancers

Flowing water reflects the phrase “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.” Within the water are dancers, representing movement as ceremony. Dancing is an offering of good thoughts for ourselves, our families, and the land. As their movement enters the current, it carries prayers and positive intentions outward, connecting all communities.

Moccasin Footsteps and Bison Tracks

The dancers’ footsteps transition into bison tracks, symbolizing the connection between the people, the land, and all of its Creation. The bison represents the Grandfather Teaching of Respect and reflects the responsibility to walk gently and respectfully on this land.