Painted by celebrated Canadian muralist Kevin Ledo, and based on a photograph by Justin Jacob Louis of his wife Inez Louis, this beautiful portrait was defaced with buckets of paint.

Inez is a Stó꞉lō woman, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a cousin, and an auntie. She is loved. This mural is more than a portrait. It is a representation of Stó꞉lō and Indigenous women in this community, and beyond. Defacing it was a hurtful statement seemingly directed at Indigenous women, and we won't let that pass without it being named.

We're sharing this on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, because context matters. We don't know the full story behind the damage - perhaps it came from anger, or a desire to be heard. We hold space for that, even as we grieve for what was lost.

Chief Darcy Paul of Skowkale shares that when incidents like this happen, we come together. We put our strengths together, we support those who are affected and vulnerable, and we come out together, and stronger.

Muralist Kevin Ledo is willing to return to Chilliwack to restore this mural. Funds raised will cover his flight from Montreal, accommodations, paint, supplies, insurance, his artist commission and incidentals. All funds will be received through the Chilliwack Community Arts Council, the parent organization of the Chilliwack Mural Festival. If you have Aeroplan or other flight points you'd like to contribute towards Kevin's travel, please reach out directly - every bit helps.

Any excess funds Will be donated to a worthy cause of Inez Louis's choosing.

When tragedy strikes, we can rise as a community to heal the hurt, and move forward in a good way.

Let's restore this beautiful mural in short order!