On November 20, the College of New Caledonia (CNC) gathered donors, partners, faculty, and students for an evening of recognition and gratitude. This event celebrated the individuals and organizations whose contributions support student success and strengthen the future of education in Northern British Columbia.
This event held a special moment — the unveiling of CNC’s Tree of Life, a collaborative painting created by CNC Fine Arts alumnus Blair Wingeter and co-artist Keshawna Garnot. The piece now stands as a visual legacy of CNC’s growth, community roots, and commitment to truth, reconciliation, and shared learning
Art from the North, Inspired by the North
Blair, who was born in Vanderhoof and raised in Fort St. James, found his way back to art through his studies at CNC. After initially pursuing an English degree at UNBC, he knew something was missing.
“Art was my true passion,” he shared. “Pursuing any other career felt like people-pleasing instead of building my future. I was built to create.”
He enrolled in CNC’s Fine Arts program in 2023 and completed his certificate in 2024. Blair now hopes to continue his studies at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. His connection to the land and the personal journey of embracing his identity deeply inform his work — roots that show through in Tree of Life.
While Blair led the project, he emphasizes that the final painting would not exist without the contributions of his collaborator, Keshawna Garnot, a nehiyaw (Cree) and Métis artist born and raised on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh.
Keshawna is currently studying Psychology with a minor in First Nations Studies at UNBC. They attended several classes alongside Blair during his time at CNC — an experience that helped fuel a shared artistic language.
“Art has always been part of my life,” they said. “I use it to express myself, explore culture, process the world, and contribute to community.”
The Story Behind CNC's Tree of Life
The painting is layered with symbolism drawn from CNC’s history, its Indigenous partnerships, and its evolution across more than five decades. Both artists described CNC as a living organism — one that began as a seed and grew through learning, resilience, and collaboration.
“I wanted to represent CNC as a tree that begins life as a seed,” Blair explained. “Through care and community effort, it grows into a flourishing resource.”
Keshawna expanded on that vision:
“The structure was inspired by a tree’s inner rings, each one marking growth over time. CNC has its own rings — events, decisions, relationships — that brought us to today.”
From animals and berries to cultural symbols and environmental features, many visual elements reflect the land and communities CNC serves. Indigenous representation is intentionally central.
“Indigenous people were the first to share knowledge on this land,” Blair said. “I hope this work reminds viewers that decolonization requires collaboration, empathy, and curiosity.”
For Keshawna, the painting marks a personal milestone.
“This was my first project where I was the Indigenous artist and my voice was heard,” they shared. “I hope people like me see this painting and feel seen too.”
Learn more about the Tree of Life's Symbolic Meaning
A Symbol for Students, Donors and the Future
Displayed for the first time at the Donor Appreciation event, CNC’s Tree of Life now stands as a tribute to past and present — to donors who nurture opportunity, to artists who tell truth through creativity, and to learners whose futures grow from seeds planted today.
The work symbolizes community, collaboration, and the shared responsibility to create spaces where Indigenous knowledge, student potential, and creativity thrive.
As Blair summarized:
“Amazing things can be accomplished when people work together for the betterment of all.”