Local Artist Dedicates Art Installation in Honour of Lost children from Kamloops Residential School

*Please see below a news release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — June 14, 2020 — The City of Burlington is pleased to support the installation of a temporary public art installation called “A Hope for Healing” on the west lawn of Spencer Smith Park. The goal of the artwork is reconciliation and remembering; to commemorate the lost children recently discovered at the Kamloops Residential School.The artwork will be installed on June 19 and will be on display daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 21. The last day of the exhibit is on National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada.

"This installation is a great example of our Community Initiated Public Art Policy at work. I am glad we can support A Hope for Healing and work with Ms. Ruthart on her installation in Spencer Smith Park. The installation is only up for a limited time, so I urge residents to safely view the installation while following COVID-19 safety protocols." -- Chris Glenn, Recreation, Community & Culture Director, City of Burlington

Community Initiated Public ArtThis installation was initiated by Amber Ruthart (White Bear First Nations, Treaty #4) in partnership with the City of Burlington’s Community Initiated Public Art Policy. The City of Burlington Public Art Program is committed to supporting community-led projects through public art resources and, where applicable, access to City-owned parks and facilitiesArtist’s Statement - Amber Ruthart (White Bear First Nations, Treaty #4)A Hope for Healing consists of donated shoes, dresses and red material from Burlington Community. The artwork is 2D moveable and will be shaped into a giant strawberry, the symbol of healing.  Strawberries are called ode'min in the Ojibway language. Ode means heart and when cut open, strawberries look like a heart. This performance art installation honours those who are grieving the Kamloops Residential School. The intent of the artwork is to help our community recognize that there is ongoing systemic racism and process Canada’s 'unthinkable' historical discovery.The Kamloops Indian Residential school was one of the largest in Canada and operated from the late 19th century to the late 1970s. It was opened and run by the Catholic Church until the federal government took it over in the late 1960s.The Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimate more than 4,000 children died while at residential schools over a period of several decades, but the final commission report acknowledges it is impossible to know the true number. The 'hope for healing' is an artist interpretation honouring the lost children through visual art and awareness.Thank you to Burlington Together for the donated children’s shoes and materials. The shoes will be donated to COVID-19-Relief programs in Burlington."A child’s schoolyard needs a playground, not a graveyard."MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:Our hearts broke across the country when we learned about the 215 children whose remains were found in a mass grave at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in B.C. Out of that grief, Burlington artist Amber Ruthart has created the installation A Hope for Healing to increase awareness of this devastating loss and also serve as a way to honour Indigenous children and peoples. We must remember the death of hundreds – and potentially even thousands – of Canadian Indigenous boys and girls who were abused or murdered at Residential Schools.These are not easy conversations to have, but they must be had. We will not heal or be whole as a country until we acknowledge the genocide committed against Indigenous First Nations people in Canada. We must also acknowledge the ongoing devastating impacts on generations of Indigenous peoples of tearing children away from their families in an effort to destroy their culture. Thousands never returned. We must wholeheartedly commit ourselves to the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.Links and Resources:

• Taking Action on Reconciliation with the Indigenous Community
• Community Initiated Public Art Policy
• burlington.ca/publicart

--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist