The inspiration behind the Wóinila: In Silence We Learn Mural in the School of Education

In March, the CU Boulder School of Education and the Cultural Events Board unveiled a new community mural titled “Wóinila: In Silence We Learn” in the Miramontes Baca Education Building.

At the unveiling event, student leaders shared what the mural project means to them, and acclaimed Indigenous artist Danielle SeeWalker discussed her inspiration and insights from listening sessions with students and comments from faculty and staff.

SeeWalker, a Denver-based fine artist, muralist, and activist, is Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta and a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. She shared that Wóinila is a Lakota word that translates to silence/not-speaking.

“It is the first value/virtue we are taught as Lakota people and depicts how we must learn through silent awareness of the world,” SeeWalker said. “We intentionally ground ourselves in silence so we can learn what is true in our world and what is most important. We keep silent and listen to our grandmothers teach us. We sit in silence as we listen to the land, the wind and the stars as they teach us.

“We sit in silence as we become aware of new ideas and concepts, and we learn to listen before we respond and speak. To learn Wóinila, opens your mind to other ways of learning and so that is why it is our very first value.”

The mural was sponsored by the Cultural Events Board (CEB), which is dedicated to helping students develop their understanding of culture, diversity, and social awareness. As a part of CEB’s mission each year, student leaders organize a Cultural Connections Project to reach a broader campus audience and continue to promote diversity across campus. The CEB partnership with the School of Education was a continuation of the previous projects between CEB, SeeWalker, and the two murals in the CU Boulder Engineering Center.

The 2025 project offered an opportunity to highlight the role Indigenous and intergenerational wisdom, love, and strength in education.  

“From the beginning, we wanted this to be a mural that reflected not only Indigenous knowledge and strength but also the importance of education and community,” said Naisha Nalik, first-year student and CEB member. “I think having this mural in the School of Education is especially meaningful as it serves as a reminder that education is not just about books and classrooms but also about the stories, history, and knowledge of our communities.  

“It's been so amazing to see Danielle bring all of the themes and motifs from our listening sessions to life.”  

Learn about the mural and its themes from the artist in this video: