The Heron

Bird oh hope

The Heron mural was created by internationally renowned graffiti artist Mique Michelle. Mique’s bold and bright creatures are borrowed from traditional legends and myths, bringing together woodlands style and spray can art.

She created the gigantic soaring heron to bring a message of courage and hope to West Nipissing. The Ojibwe words for “courage” and “see you again soon” along with the names of lost community members are incorporated within the artwork.

Mique Michelle, Graffiti Artist and Muralist (she/her)

Proud Franco-Ontarian from West Nipissing, Mique Michelle brings the vibrant colours of Northern Ontario to walls around the world. Inspired by the edible plants of her home region and inhabited by iconic northern wildlife, her murals are distinguished by their unique style and educational purpose. Each artwork is designed as a means of sharing knowledge, inviting audiences to discover, learn about, and appreciate the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

Through her artistic practice, Mique aims to transform the public perception of graffiti by highlighting its power as a positive, inclusive, and meaningful form of expression. She is equally committed to empowering youth and the communities she works with, providing them with the tools to share their stories, amplify their voices, and reclaim their spaces.

The vibrant colours, flora, and fauna of the North remain at the heart of every creation, reflecting her deep connection to her roots.

Host of TFO’s #CouleursDuNord series, facilitator with FESFO for nearly two decades, and muralist for more than ten years, Mique Michelle is always eager to connect with new communities and transform their walls into works of art that celebrate identity, pride, and dialogue.

A symbol of patience and luck

The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in Canada, with adults standing over 1 m high with their necks outstretched and weighing in at around 2.5 kg. Its long limbs dictate the heron’s movements: it flies with deep, slow wing beats, and on land, or in the water, it walks erect with long strides. These majestic birds live long lives, some as long as 17 years. 

Many Indigenous peoples in North America view the heron as a symbol of patience and good luck. This belief takes root in the Northwest Coast, where people believe that if fishermen spot a heron, it means good luck is with them, and they will have a successful fishing trip.

The First Mural

The mural pictured here was also painted by Mique.  Featuring fish from area lakes with a bright yet soft watercolour quality, the mural, which has since been painted over, marked the beginning of the Downtown Murals project in Sturgeon Falls.

The Tribune

The Heron is painted on the north side of the building which currently houses the Tribune. West Nipissing’s community newspaper since 1968, The Tribune proudly keeps residents abreast of all the news and events that affect them on a bi-weekly basis.

The paper is published in both English and French and remains one of Ontario’s increasingly rare independent 100% locally owned and operated newspapers. It is also one of the rare bilingual publications in Canada, respecting West Nipissing’s rich and unique bilingual and tri-cultural character.

Extract of
West Nipissing Mural and Sign Tour

West Nipissing Mural and Sign Tour image circuit

Presented by : Destination Northern Ontario
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