Spirit Garden Opens at Nathan Phillips Square

Govind Tekale

Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square welcomes 20,650-square-foot Spirit Garden, addressing Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action for residential school survivor monuments.

Photo Source: Ryutaro Tsukata (Pexels)

Indigenous survivor Michael Cheena breaks silence on residential schools, sharing his forced removal from James Bay at age seven.

Photo Source: Brett Sayles (Pexels)

Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre partners with city officials and church diocese, securing $300,000 funding for meaningful reconciliation space.

Photo Source: Alex P (Pexels)

Master sculptor Solomon King crafts 12-tonne limestone turtle, facing north with uplifted gaze, representing positivity and overcoming challenges.

Photo Source: JC Terry (Pexels)

John Keeshig Maya-waasige's teaching lodge hosts 60 people, featuring seven skylights symbolizing Grandfather Teachings.

Photo Source: Fauxels (Pexels)

Métis artist Tannis Nielsen's 36-foot Spirit Canoe joins Inuit Henry Kudluk's Inuksuk in garden's artistic narrative.

Photo Source: Nick Gorniok (Pexels)

Eighteen residential school names etched in stainless steel line reflecting pool, while survivors gather for spiritual preparation.

Photo Source: Altamart (Pexels)

City allocates $100,000 yearly through Indigenous Arts Fund, supporting cultural programming initiatives.

Photo Source: Kaboompics.com (Pexels)

Challenges persist around tracking intergenerational trauma, language preservation, and sustainable funding across Canadian capital cities.

Photo Source: Ibrahim Halil Ölmez (Pexels)