Honour Canoe

 

Location: Bain Avenue west of Logan

Date photo taken: 14 August 2019

This canoe is a uniquely beautiful project by residents of Bain Co-op, representing their commitment to  reconciliation. It was painted by Les Harper, an Indigenous artist, with help from local children, and is planted with Indigenous healing plants. The project was a way to introduce the community to Indigenous issues and the stone in front bears the inscription below, to ensure that passers-by understand its significance.

 

The Bain Co-op Canoe acknowledges the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the Residential School System. In a Spirit of Mutual Healing, our Canoe is in Honour of all those affected by this Experience. Painted and Planted by the Community.

June 2017

A video describing the project is available on the project's Facebook page. 

Otter and Turtle

Location: alley south of 189 Booth

Date photo taken: 8 May, 2021

This otter and turtle form part of a long mural that covers the low wall around the south and west sides of the new building at 189B Booth Avenue in Riverdale. It was painted this spring by Philip Cote. He was commissioned by the Red Door Family Shelter to create something that would "educate, inspire and imbue healing energy to our clients, staff, volunteers, and supporters for years to come”. According to Carol Latchford, Executive Director of Red Door, they also plan to create “programming opportunities for children, and adults too, to learn and understand the stories associated with Philip’s mural.” The Red Door Shelter provides sanctuary to women, children and families in need, with 64% of their residents being children. In this new space, they will be able to provide each family with their own bedroom and washroom, a first for the organization. 

Sumach Silhouette

Location: Sumach Street, north of Eastern

Date photo taken: 23 July 2016

Running up the curve of Sumach from Eastern Avenue is a long fence-like sculpture filled with images of Toronto, past and present. Starting with forests and indigenous structures near Eastern, as you move north you begin to encounter settler ships, log houses, carriages and eventually the buildings that would come to define the city. While some call it the Sumach Silhouette, the official name is Site Specific. It was commissioned by Waterfront Toronto and created by sculptors Scott Eunson and Marianne Lovink. It consists of complimentary panels of corten and stainless steel, with lighting between the two, making this piece even more dramatic after dark.

Tahlequah

Location: Laneway south of D'Arcy, east of Beverley
Date photo taken: 4 September 2018

This mural, the second to be featured from Womxn Paint's 2018 laneway event, is by sisters Chief Lady Bird and Aura. It is a tribute to Tahlequah, an orca mother living off the Pacific coast of Canada, who mourned her dead calf by carrying it with her for 17 days.

The next #womxnpaintto mural jam is happening soon, this time in North Etobicoke. Watch for artists at work on Finch between Kipling and Islington on the weekend of July 12-14.

Taber Hill Memorial

Location: Bellamy Rd north of Lawrence Ave.
Date photo taken: 18 February 2017

This small, unassuming little hill near Markham Road and Lawrence is the resting place of over 500 individuals. It is a Huron/Wendat burial mound. It was discovered in 1956 when construction equipment was brought in to level the site. When bones were uncovered, experts were brought in to evaluate the site. It was determined that the skeletons were buried in a ritual manner consistent with the Wendat Feast of Souls. Walter Kenyon, who supervised an archaeological examination of the site, described it as "the most significant ethnological discovery in Canada's history." The site was quickly designated as a historical site and the bones were re-interred. Representatives of the Iroquois Six Nations were invited to supervise an Iroquois Feast of the Dead reburial ceremony which took place over three days. In 1961, a memorial was placed at the top of the mound, to inform visitors of the significance of the site.