virginia gail smith

Wiidosendiwag - Walking Together - Fabrication, Owen Sound ON

Ode’imin. First United Church Nawash Village Settlement. Église First UnitedVillage-Colonie de Nawash.

Winter histories, 2019.

Our aim was to create a walking tour of significant Indigenous lands in Owen Sound's Brooke neighbourhood, providing wayfinding markers, sculptural markers at each location and QR initiated audio stories. This walking tour is intended to recognize and acknowledge our 150/160 anniversary and the people, stories and Indigenous history behind the land with the theme of truth and reconciliation.

Using the premise coined by a young Brad Lewis (who walked from his Indigenous community in the north to Ottawa to participate in the Idle no More movement 2013), Walking is Medicine we have chosen five significant locations, in consultation with Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Metis partners. The storytelling is meant to inspire, educate, and build relationships. 

Jiibayaki.  Mary Miller Park Burial Ground. Cimetière Mary Miller Parc. Eighth Fire Prophecy.

Ledgerock collected the unwanted stones for us to use for our seating, this made each one very special.

Seating transportation  from Ledgerock and placement, thanks Carl!

Jiikakamigad jiikakamigiz. Return of the Pow Wow, stone circle. Retour du Cercle de la pierre de Pow Wow. Fishing stories.

Fishing at Newash Village, situated by the stone circle in celebration of the Return of the Drums Pow Wow.

Jiibayaki. 6th Avenue Burial Ground. Cimetière sur la 6ieme Avenue. Treaty stories. Drawing by Daniel Gene Keeshig.

Winter time.

Wiigwaasi-jiimaan. Niimaywikwedong Reconciliation Garden. Jardin de réconciliation de Niimaywikwedong. Water stories.

Spring of 2020, after final installation of seating, plaque and sculpture.

Visitors.

Winter encounter.

Trish Nadijwon Meekins and myself, accepting and thanking the community of families who freely gave of their time and stories to help create a glimpse and to honour  the Saugeen Ojibway Nations culture, stories and songs and how settlers contributed to the current narrative. Susan Staves also a traditional knowledge keeper was not able to be present but was an integral part of our team of woman.

A big thank you to all who participated. It was a team effort and an important contribution to the history and community of Owen Sound.

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