Imagining Good Futures: Thunderbird Dreams is an intergenerational XR mural that unitesIndigenous youth, Elders, artists, and technologists in a shared exploration of care, sustainability, unity, and kinship.
Conceived and artistically led by IM4 Lab Creative Director Loretta Todd—and inspired by Elder Doris Peters’ reminder that “youth need to see themselves as Elders”, so they know they’re strong enough for their lives, this project began with a clear vision and grew as participants layered in their own stories and dreams.
Youth and Elders brought their own creative vision, personal teachings and imagination to every stage, transforming it into a truly collective artwork. To honour the Coast Salish territories where the project takes place, Kwantlen muralist Brandon Gabriel contributed the Thunderbird story as a symbol of transformation and renewal, as a unifying narrative thread that weaves together nature, technology, and cultural continuity.
Using XR tools including AR overlays, spatial audio, interactive sensors, conductive paint, projection mapping, and fiber-optic light, the installation offers layered storytelling that responds to touch, movement, and XR headsets, triggering projections, drumbeats, soundscapes, and animated elements. Low-cost hardware such as ESP32 S3 microcontrollers, MAX MSP interfaces, Figmin XR, and MadMapper ensures the work can be replicated in other communities without expensive infrastructure.
The mural grew out of IM4 Lab workshops in drum-making, storytelling, spatial sound, photogrammetry, and creative technology—led by Indigenous and allied XR artists. The cohort features creators from Red River Métis, St Paul des Métis, White Fish Lake, Skwxwu7mesh Uximixw, Syilx First Nation, Secwepemc, Ktunaxa, Piikani Blackfoot First Nation, PR Nakota First Nation, Mapuche, Andean First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Lil’wat First Nation, Musqueam First Nation, N’lakap’mx, Wetsit First Nation, Old Masset First Nation, Stō:ló First Nation, Simpcw First Nation, Lil’wat7úl First Nation, Saulteaux, Gitsxan, Kinbasket Nations, Dënesułįne & Nîhithaw First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Fishing Lake Métis Nation, Chehalis First Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Nisga’a First Nation, Haida Gwaii, Fort Nelson Dene, and Vancouver’s urban Indigenous communities.
As public art, Thunderbird Dreams sparks dialogue across generations, inviting those who visit Signals of all ages to interact, reflect, and imagine futures grounded in Indigenous values.
Throughout the project, the IM4 Lab team provided essential support under the guidance of Technical Co-Creative Director Davis Heslep, alongside dedicated workshop leaders and guest mentors. Together, they created a nurturing environment that offered technical guidance, artistic feedback, and a safe space for experimentation. This steady support empowered both youth and Elders to bring their bold visions to life, transforming Thunderbird Dreams from a simple mural into a living embodiment of Indigenous-led innovation and collective hope for good futures.
Artist Biography
The IM4 Media Lab is a global leader in Indigenous-led immersive media, advancing Indigenous storytelling through virtual production, extended reality (XR), and AI technologies. Founded in 2018 under Creative Director Loretta Todd’s visionary leadership alongside the Media Matriarchs, the lab operates through Indigenous governance structures prioritizing cultural authenticity. IM4 made history launching the world’s first Indigenous Virtual Production Micro-Credential Training Program while maintaining cultural protocols. Their programming spans VR/AR, Unreal Engine, animation, and game design through free, accessible workshops. With strategic partnerships across universities and Indigenous organizations, IM4 creates sustainable pathways for Indigenous creators to lead digital innovation while preserving traditional knowledge systems and reshaping immersive technology’s future.
Links
▶ https://im4lab.com
▶ https://www.instagram.com/im4lab
▶ https://www.facebook.com/IM4Lab
▶ https://ca.linkedin.com/company/im4-media-lab
Other Credits
Mural Concept by Loretta Sarah Todd
Creative Director & Matriarch: Loretta Sarah Todd (Red River Métis, St Paul des Métis, White Fish Lake)
Matriarch – T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss (Skwxwu7mesh Uximixw, Swiss, Hawaiian)
Matriarch – Tracey Kim Bonneau (Syilx First Nation)
Matriarch – Doreen Manuel (Secwepemc, Ktunaxa)
Technical Director/Co-Creative Director – Davis Heslep (Black, South Asian)
Project Coordinator – Robyn K. Weasel Bear (Piikani Blackfoot First Nation)
Project Assistant – Shasha McArthur (Siyónide Nakóna Oyáde #68)
Marketing Manager – Julien Mackenzie
Project Consultant – Sussan Yáñez (Mapuche, Andean First Nation)
Mural Consultant – Brandon Gabriel (Kwantlen First Nation)
STARRING
Christine Leo (Lil’wat First Nation)
Verna Kenoras (Musqueam First Nation)
Mechelle Pierre (N’lakap’mx)
Georgina Alexander Mitchell (Wetsit First Nation)
Keeka Mitchell (Old Masset First Nation)
Denise Mitchell (Wetsit First Nation)
Tea Rosa (Skwxwu7mesh Uximixw, Stō:ló First Nation)
Desireah Eustache (Simpcw First Nation)
Shasha “Awesome” McArthur (Siyónide Nakóna Oyáde #68)
Sussan Yáñez (Mapuche, Andean First Nation)
TECHNICAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Savinu Dissanayake
Ethan Agno
Reed Bryan
Alanna Ho
Jenna Crowell
Jaiden Daniels
ARTISTS
Mural Artist – Brandon Gabriel (Kwantlen First Nation)
Dragon Fly (N’lakap’mx, Saulteaux, Gitsxan)
Dusty Hagerud (Ktunaxa, Kinbasket Nations)
Victoria Redsun (Dënesułįne & Nîhithaw First Nation)
Onya McCormick (Lil’wat7úl First Nation)
Demitrius Paul (Musqueam First Nation)
Mackenzie Paul (Musqueam First Nation)
Perseis Paul (Musqueam First Nation)
Ethan Black (Yellowknives Dene First Nation)
Shaun Anderson (Fishing Lake Métis Nation)
Ryker McCormick (Lil’wat7úl First Nation)
Cedar Stump Asset:
‘Cedar Stump’ 3D scanned at the base of Kwékwetxwm (Shannon Falls) as part of the Skwxwú7mesh directed film by Dr. Hereditary Chief Chepximiya Siyam – Dr. Chief Janice George and Elder Skwetsimeltxw – Willard ‘Buddy’ Jospeh; as well as Sussan Yáñez, ‘Threads of Time’.
Director of Virtual Production: Carlos Vilchis
Virtual Production Supervisor: Gaston Álvarez
Photogrammetry Specialist: Kay Vilchis
Unreal Engine Technical Director: Alec Soto
Principal Investigator – Antje Ellermann
Research Assistant – Noelia Ahumada
In collaboration with the UBC Centre for Migration Studies and the Belonging on Unceded Territories Research project.
Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada First Research Excellence Fund
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Nancy Lee
Jonny Ostrem
Marek Tyler (nêhiyaw)
Keegan Charlie (Chehalis First Nation)
Cheyanna Kootenhayoo (Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation)
CATERING
Teresa Mark (Nisga’a First Nation)
Thank You to Our Partner, DigiBC
Nico Dicecco
Neelesh Nair
Special thanks to DigiBC Work Placement Program