NEWSLETTER CITY OF EAST GWILLIMBURY ********************* Together with artist Donald C. Chretien and writer Lauri Hoeg, today, his city East Gwillimbury celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ National Day with the unveiling of a plantation of signatures and a sign at the Nokiidaa Trail Head on Yonge Street. Donald C. Chretien designed and built the typical planter with a canoe and images of a martin, crane, bear and deer as they travel together in the canoe. The title of the song is “Inaawanidiwag”, which translates to “Traveling Together”. The story behind the piece is placed on an interpretive sign completed by Lauri Hoeg, a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. “This signature planter and interpretive mark honors Indigenous culture and promotes our work for reconciliation,” said Mayor Virginia Hackson. “My hope is that as humans begin their journey along this path – they think about how each of the creatures depends on each other and on the environment to reach their destination.” The design and construction of the signature plantation took about five months to complete. The planter is an 18-foot-long cedar canoe with a blend of paint and laser steel artwork incorporated into the design. Residents are invited to join the town for Summer of Parks celebrations throughout East Gwillimbury. For information on upcoming park and trail openings, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/parks.
