City unveils stunning sculpture as Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square opens, Canada Reviews

Today marks a significant moment in Toronto’s commitment to reconciliation and cultural celebration as the Spirit Garden officially opens to the public at Nathan Phillips Square at 2 p.m. This space honours Indigenous culture and history, providing a healing environment for residential school survivors and the broader community.

The Spirit Garden, developed through the Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSS) Restoration of Identity Project, is located in the southwestern area of Nathan Phillips Square. The project is a collaboration between the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre and the city of Toronto, responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 82. The Spirit Garden aims to celebrate the resilience of Indigenous Peoples and ensure that the stories of residential school survivors are honoured.

“We are inspired knowing that the vision of the Spirit Garden is coming to life,” said board designate Andrea Chrisjohn of the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, when the work was commissioned. “This dedicated space will embody our diverse Indigenous cultures, our teachings and images, our plant life and medicines; and will incorporate the principles of the Kuswenta, to work together in friendship, mutual respect and peaceful co-existence. Most importantly, this significant project will honor the strength and courage of residential school survivors and inter-generational families.”

At the heart of the Spirit Garden is a striking two-metre tall turtle sculpture crafted by Anishinaabe artist Solomon King. This sculpture embodies various First Nations creation stories and symbolizes Turtle Island, or Mother Earth. It stands prominently on a one-meter tall plinth in the centre of a reflecting pool, with the names of the 18 residential schools that once operated in Ontario inscribed in stainless steel lettering on the north wall.

The design of the Spirit Garden incorporates significant elements that reflect the rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures. Features include:

• Teaching Lodge: Designed by Anishinaabe Knowledge Keeper John Keeshig Maya-waasige, this laminated ash wood structure serves as a spiritual home for First Nations Peoples, accommodating approximately 60 people for teaching and sharing sessions.
• Inuksuk: Crafted by Inuit artist Henry Kudluk, this five-foot-tall granite landmark represents guidance and navigation in the Indigenous way of life.
• Three Sisters Story: An artwork by Raymond Skye, etched onto metal panels, that narrates the interconnectedness of corn, beans, and squash, promoting the values of stewardship and community.
• Voyageur Spirit Canoe: A 36-foot-long stainless steel canoe by Métis artist Tannis Nielsen, featuring laser-cut artwork that celebrates Métis heritage and storytelling.

The Spirit Garden is designed not only as a cultural monument but also as a space for community engagement and education. It includes an amphitheatre for performances, a Three Sisters teaching garden that illustrates Indigenous agricultural practices, and a water feature.

As a part of the broader revitalization of Nathan Phillips Square, the Spirit Garden will host various cultural events and activities throughout the year, enriching Toronto’s vibrant public space and fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous histories and traditions.

The opening of the Spirit Garden will be live streamed firsthand. For more information about the Spirit Garden and its ongoing activities, visit the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre’s Spirit Garden webpage.