On September 23, 2022, a beautiful mural was unveiled in the newly renamed Aahkoinnimaan ni Community Boardroom. The mural is the focal point of a community gathering space located in the MHPS building and reflects the history of Medicine Hat being a traditional meeting place for Indigenous people in this area.

The mural was painted by Ray-Al Hochman. Ray-Al is a proud Métis visual artist currently residing in Medicine Hat, AB. Being blessed with the gift of creativity and the drive to make his mark on the world, Ray-Al nurtured his creative spirit throughout his academic career and carries it in all walks of his life.

Hochman completed the Applied arts and Visual Communications program at Medicine Hat College in 2013. During his time there, he was able to explore many various streams of artistic expression including drawing, painting, sculpture, print making and graphic design. Hochman then entered the Bachelor of Fine Arts program offered by the University of Alberta, being taught, and critiqued by some of the best artists in the province. He was encouraged to push himself outside his comfort zone and create larger pieces using new and varying techniques. After completing the BFA program in 2017, Hochman moved back to Medicine Hat where he feels at home amongst the beautiful southern Alberta skies and slower pace that a smaller city affords.

Hochman draws much of his inspiration from nature, whether that be the lush flora and fauna that can be found across this beautiful country or the flash of flames from a campfire burning in the night. Hochman can be found on Facebook, or Instagram as @_rayartistico_ and invites you to peruse some of his selected works all of which are for sale either as original works or prints or to commission a custom piece.

This morning Ray-Al was gifted a Miywasin Saamis Metis sash by JoLynn Parenteau, an Indigenous housing and homeless navigator with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and a member of the Chief’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.

The Aahkoinnimaan ni room is a meeting space, that can accommodate groups of up to 60 people, and is available for community groups to book free of charge upon request. To book the Aahkoinnimaan ni room, visit the MHPS website at https://app.mhps.ca/community-boardroom-request/ .

Media Contact:

Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416