Community dedication ceremony scheduled for September 9 celebrates Indigenous history, student learning, and the arts

CHICAGO, IL (Ravenswood/North Center) – July 30, 2026 – North Park Elementary School (NPES) is proud to announce the dedication of a new public mural honoring Kitihawa, the Potawatomi woman who co-owned and operated the trading post that became the foundation of Chicago alongside her husband, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. Believed to be the first public mural in the Chicago area dedicated to Kitihawa and her pivotal role in the city’s founding, the artwork celebrates Indigenous history while serving as a lasting educational resource for students and the broader community.

The mural, located on the exterior of the school’s newly renovated NPES Performing Arts Studio, was created by acclaimed Indigenous Chicago artists Noelle Garcia and Monica Rickert-Bolger and commissioned by NPES in 2026. The project was made possible through the generous support of The Faith Nielsen Charitable Fund, honoring the legacy of one of the school’s founders, Faith Nielsen, whose lifelong commitment to arts education continues to shape generations of students.

“We believe education extends far beyond the classroom,” said Emily Friend, Assistant Head of School. “This mural celebrates Chicago’s diverse and rich history, elevates an important figure many don’t know, and reflects our independent school’s commitment to our local community and the arts. In partnership with two incredible artists, our students and staff had the opportunity to contribute to elements of the design and painting process. By honoring Kitihawa’s story, we hope to inspire meaningful conversations about the Indigenous communities whose cultures and histories continue to shape Chicago today.”

For generations, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable has been widely recognized as Chicago’s founder. Far less known is the story of Kitihawa, a Potawatomi woman believed to have been instrumental in the success of their thriving trading post at the mouth of the Chicago River. As both translator and trusted local partner, Kitihawa helped broker trade between Native communities and European settlers, yet her contributions have often been overlooked in historical narratives.

The mural also incorporates visual elements from Skywoman Falling, the Potawatomi origin story, alongside design concepts developed by NPES students during classroom learning experiences. Students also had the opportunity to contribute to the creative process through select design elements and portions of the painting, working alongside the artists and connecting their classroom learning to a real-world community art project. Student participation transformed the project into an authentic extension of the school’s curriculum, connecting art, history, culture, and community.

Throughout the coming school year, students will continue exploring Indigenous history through NPES’s place-based learning program, culminating in a Harvest Day Celebration on Indigenous Peoples’ Day in October, where students will further examine the history, culture, and ongoing contributions of the Potawatomi people – the original inhabitants of the land on which the school now stands.

The mural also celebrates the school’s dedicated Performing Arts Studio, reflecting NPES’s ongoing investment in arts education. The creative space expands opportunities for visual arts, music, theater, and interdisciplinary learning, continuing Faith Nielsen’s vision that every child deserves access to a rich fine arts education as part of their preparation for success in high school and beyond.

Honoring Indigenous Artists

The mural was created through a collaboration between two nationally recognized Indigenous artists whose work centers on storytelling, identity, and cultural representation.

Monica Rickert-Bolger, a Chicago-based visual artist, journalist, and member of the Potawatomi Nation, combines traditional drawing, digital illustration, and design to tell diverse Indigenous stories. She has developed educational curricula for Chicago Public Schools, consulted with organizations including The Field Museum and the Terra Foundation for American Art, co-founded the Center for Native Futures, and has artwork featured in The Field Museum’s permanent Native Truths exhibition and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Noelle Garcia, an artist and educator from the Klamath, Northern Paiute, and Modoc Tribes, creates work exploring identity, family history, and recovered narratives. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Garcia has exhibited nationally and received fellowships and awards from institutions including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Illinois Arts Council, and the Nevada Arts Council.

Together, Garcia and Rickert-Bolger brought their artistic vision and cultural knowledge to create a mural that both educates and inspires while honoring the enduring presence of Indigenous communities in Chicago.

Community Mural Dedication

North Park Elementary School invites members of the community, neighbors, alumni, and media to attend the official mural dedication.

Mural Dedication Ceremony
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
7:30–8:15 a.m.
North Park Elementary School
2015 W. Montrose Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

The ceremony will include remarks from school leadership, a member of the Board of Trustees, representatives of the Nielsen family, the artists, students, and invited community leaders.