Canoe Art: Maanjidowin
If you head over to Centre Island in Toronto to the Billy Bishop airport, there is a beautiful canoe art installation there overlooking the Western Channel and downtown Toronto. Known as “Maanjidowin: The Gathering” this sculpture was created by David M. General, Mohawk Nation, Wolf Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River, and was conceived and installed in partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit and aims to recognize the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and their relationship to the land, air and water on which the airport now operates.
It features three mythical fishers - Makwa-kwe (Bear), Nigig-kwe (Otter) and Migizi-kwe (Eagle) - who have come to the estuaries and islands along Toronto's Lake Ontario shoreline to fish.
The canoe in which the fishers sit is inscribed with words and symbols of significance to the Mississaugas of the Credit including the Medicine Wheel and the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which are guiding principles that provide the moral and cultural foundation of life.
In our travels we try and share any canoe or outdoors themed art that we come across. Have a look at other art installations and artistic work that people have come up with and let us know about ones you have discovered.
