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About

Over the past three years, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives has been working in close collaboration with local Indigenous artists, cultural advisors, consultants, FMAS, and many others to reimagine and redesign the Y-Intersection 鈥� now named Tsi Non:we Onkwatonhnhets.听This initiative aims to create a functional gathering space that challenges Western ways of thinking by thoughtfully integrating Indigenous worldviews, art, and culture throughout the space. This initiative is in response to Call #26 鈥� Indigeneity in public space at 9I制作厂免费. The design of the space is inspired by Kanien鈥檏eh谩:ka history and themes as a way to honour the land 9I制作厂免费 continues to occupy.

Within this initiative, OII is making an emphasis on ethical collaboration with Indigenous partners throughout the entire process. The creation of an advisory council including community members, elders, and members of the OII team gather to provide advice and ensure work and art integration proceeds in a good way. There is a priority on Indigenous artistry, purchases, and voices within the process. This project is also in collaboration with Alanah Jewell, a young Indigenous artist who designed the artwork being implemented at the intersection.

Alanah Jewell Artist Statement听

All In Ceremony: Giving Thanks

All In Ceremony is divided into two major focuses: the Turtle Shell, representing the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, and the Eight Benches, representing species Indigenous to Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke, or Montr茅al. Together, these pieces come together to give thanks, pay respect and to advocate for the preservation of our cultures, ceremonies, languages and the native species we live alongside.

The Turtle Shell

The Turtle Shell starts in the east and moves in a counter-clockwise direction, following the direction Haudenosaunee people use in ceremony 鈥� including the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayguga, Onondoga, Seneca and Tuscarora people. The Turtle Shell holds 13 major elements, representing the 13 full moons and each being that is given thanks during the Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen (Thanksgiving Address). The Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen is known as the Words That Come Before All Else and is spoken in the language as an opening and closing to gatherings and ceremony. It is a way for Haudenosaunee to give thanks to each life-sustaining force and to connect with the natural world on a spiritual level.

We invite you to participate in your own Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen and give thanks to our relatives that provide us with sustenance, beauty and abundance. Each moment in our physical life is ceremony, and we encourage you to always give thanks.

Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen (Thanksgiving Address)

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We put our minds together to give thanks to the People. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to Mother Earth. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Thunderers. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Four Winds. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Birds and Trees. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Animals. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Medicines. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Food Plants. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Plants. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Fish and Waters. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Creator. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to Grandmother Moon and Stars. 听
Now our minds are one.听

We put our minds together to give thanks to the Elder Brother the Sun. 听
Now our minds are one.

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The Eight Benches听

The Eight Benches feature many species that are Indigenous to Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke and the surrounding area. Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke refers to the Kanien鈥檏eha (Mohawk language) name for Montr茅al and refers to it being a place where 鈥渢he people divided鈥� or it being 鈥渁n island broken in two鈥�. It has always been significant for Indigenous people: it continues to act as a meeting place for the Haudenosaunee and provides sustenance for our communities.听

These species have existed here for thousands of years and each has a valuable place in Creation. However, many of the creatures featured on the benches have been lost or forgotten because of colonization. Intensive agriculture, urbanization and industrial activities have led to railroads, highways, hydro transmission lines, pollution, bridges and the St. Lawrence Seaway 鈥� to name a few 鈥� all greatly impacted the natural ecosystem of the area.听

The diversity found on Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke makes it unique and worthy of protection. This territory houses:听

• More than 700 species of vascular plants, some of which are endangered听
• More than 90 species of trees听
• More than 180 species of birds听
• More than 20 species of mammals听
• Thousands of species of insects听

These benches act as a visual reminder of the native species that once lived in abundance on Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke, and as a way to encourage people to respect and protect the natural world. When viewing the benches, we invite you to start in the east and move in a clockwise direction, reflecting on each of the Indigenous species featured.听

#1: Eastern screech owl, American ginseng, deer mouse and bloodroot听

#2: Great blue heron, fragrant sumac, black swallowtail and bulrushes听

#3: Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke: Mount Royal听

#4: Barn swallow, red squirrel, oak, red maple and blue spotted salamander听

#5: Beaver, mayflower, waterlily and wild garlic/leek听

#6: Red fox, sensitive fern, brown snake and wild ginger听

#7: Kawennote Tiohti脿:ke: cormorant and Lachine Rapids听

#8: American eel, sturgeon, butternut hickory, marsh marigold and painted turtle听

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Tsi Non:we Onkwatonhnhets听(Y-Intersection) Chronology听

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