The Walmer Road Legacy Space aims to build cultural understanding and help create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. It was created by TAS and the Walmer Road Baptist Church in collaboration with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. Legacy Spaces are intended to serve as symbols and reminders of the important work each of us needs to undertake to fulfill the promises of this country and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
Indigenous Art – The 3 Sisters
The artwork on the doors of the church was produced by Métis artist Dani Kastelein. It represents the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Air is represented by the clouds that bring rain to the 3 sisters. Water, by the sturgeon swimming through while being sung to by frogs. Fire, by the gathering for a feast and a moment of storytelling. Aki, the Earth, our mother, is depicted in all three sections.
13 Moons
The seating was designed by Brook McIlroy Indigenous Design Studio to encourage contemplational and conversations about truth & reconciliation. The 13 moons located on the seating were designed by artist and community developer Lindsey Lickers refer to the lunar months of the traditional Indigenous calendar. The moon offers a framework for marking time and seasonal changes and also links to specific natural phenomena, such as plant blooming, animal migration, and weather patterns. This seasonal awareness is pivotal for Indigenous gardening practices, guiding activities like planting and harvesting.
Indigenous Garden
The Urban Crate Farm, run by the Bowery Project and located in front of the church from spring until fall, includes many Indigenous plants and medicinal herbs, such as tobacco and sweetgrass. The garden is meant to provide opportunities for teaching about Indigenous culture.
TAS, Walmer Road and the Legacy Space
Since the early stages of the 38 Walmer Road project, TAS has been committed to learning about the Indigenous history of the site and exploring our role in truth and reconciliation. As a starting point, in 2021 we organized a community walking tour with Indigenous leader, Trina Bell, and participated in cultural competency training with the Walmer Road Baptist Church.
Creating the Legacy Space at Walmer provides an opportunity to continue honouring the Indigenous history of the site and to integrate Indigenous stories and partnership into the development.
While Legacy Spaces are typically located in private corporate settings, Walmer is the first public-facing outdoor Legacy Space. It exists in front of the church temporarily and then will be incorporated permanently into the future development on this site led by TAS and the Walmer Road Baptist Church.
