To mark a step in their efforts towards reconciliation, and as a first step to bringing Indigenous art and aesthetics on its campus, the University of Ottawa commissioned a statue from sculptor David General, Mohawk & Oneida from Six Nations of the Grand River.
The piece is titled “She dances with the earth, water, and sky”, and represents an abstract form of a woman wrapped in a shawl, because women are closely connected with the land, sky, and water as the birthers and keepers of life.
Carved into the shawl are images of the Mazinaw pictographs from Bon Echo Lake.
The sculpture is adorned with a plaque on which it reads in Algonquin, French, and English:
“This sculpture was commissioned to represent the relationship founded on truth and reconciliation between uOttawa and the Omamìwìnini Anishinàbeg, on whose land this campus was built.”
The art piece is prominently displayed on the lawn in front of Tabaret Hall.
WHO:
- Jacques Frémont, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa;
- Jill Scott, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs
- Representatives from the uOttawa Indigenous Affairs group
WHAT: Unveiling of new Indigenous sculpture at uOttawa and drum group performance.
WHERE: Tabaret Hall lawn (Tabaret Hall Rotunda in case of rain), 550 Cumberland St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N8 l Map
WHEN: Monday, October 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
For more information:
Isabelle Mailloux Pulkinghorn
Manager, media relations
University of Ottawa
613-240-0275