The Four-Legged

This panel honours and identifies our four legged relations, the animals. I have represented 3 animals which have co-existed with humans in what is now Hamilton and southwestern Ontario. They have been chosen as important reminders as to their value within our culture and environment.

The Deer has been a vitally important animal to Indigenous people for sustenance and clothing for longer than anyone can remember. The Deer ‘ohskennonton’ (Mohawk) represents gentleness, unconditional love and kindness.

The Beaver ‘tsyennito’ (Mohawk) became the most sought after animal in Canadian history and was the catalyst that changed the relationship between Indigenous peoples and

Europeans upon first contact in the 1500’s. The fur trade started due to European demand for the luxurious pelts of the Beaver which towards the end of the 19th century almost wiped them out. The beaver represents wisdom in Indigenous culture and is known for its industrious and problem solving nature.

The Coyote, Wiisagi-ma’ iingan(ag) (Ojibwe), which since migrating to Ontario from the west over 100 years ago, is newer to this area and has adapted well to urban environments, can now be found in both rural and urban settings. Coyote is well known in Indigenous culture as the ‘Trickster’ and there are many tales where he demonstrates the dangers of negative behaviors like greed, recklessness, and arrogance.

Plants & Medicines

The flora, which grow in our area not only provide us with sustenance, medicine and oxygen, they provide much needed healing and beauty. The Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous nations have always given thanks for the plant life and medicines ‘mashkiki’ (Ojibwe) such as strawberries when they come in season in June. Day lilies and other flowers ‘waabigwan’ (Ojibwe) add to the lush greenery that grow around the Hamilton waterfront. We honour the plant people (as well as the bees and other insects which support their pollination) and Mother Earth for their bounty and the harvest we enjoy every summer and fall.

Thunderbird, Grandfather Sun, Grandmother Moon, Indigenous Cultural Elements 

Thunderbeings (Thunderbirds, Thunderers) ‘Binesi’ (Cree), ‘Animikii’ (Ojibwe), ‘Ratiwe:rahs’ (Mohawk) are spirits in the form of great birds. Their wings bare thunder and lightning comes from their eyes. They reside in the West direction and are connected with the power of purification and rain. Thunderbirds are critically important not only in Indigenous culture and symbolism but to Mother Earth and All Our Relations as they bring the much needed rain for plant and animal life and lightning which helps Mother Earth maintain electrical balance.

She is recharged by thunderstorms. There are many sacred ceremonies performed by numerous Indigenous nations that honour and give thanks to the Thunder Beings for bringing the rains and protection.

The Morning Star ‘Gambeh Then’ (Cree), ‘Iawentenhawì:tha’, (Mohawk) symbolizes hope and guidance. The Morning Star is the brightest star in the sky at dawn and is a representation of Indigenous ancestors. Many nations honor the morning star as a sign of courage and purity of spirit and honour it along with other celestial relatives Grandfather Sun ‘Rohsken’rhakehte’kó:wa’ (Mohawk) and Grandmother Moon ‘Iethi’sothaahsonthehnehkha karahkwa’ (Mohawk) that are also integral to all life here on Mother Earth.

The Rain Clouds symbol is depicted as it carries the element of water which is one of the most vital amongst all elements as it dispurses the sustenance of life. The Rain Clouds ‘nakâyâskwahikêw’ (Cree) signifies renewal, fertility, and change. It has always been important for Indigenous nations to give thanks and honour these elements and celestial beings in order for them to continue and remember their original instructions from the Creator.

The Two Row Wampum Belt ‘Gusweñta’ (Mohawk) is one of the oldest treaty relationships between the Onkwehonweh (original people) of Turtle Island (North America) and European immigrants. The treaty was made in 1613 between the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and outlines the respectful relationship that was originally intended in order for both peoples to co-exist in harmony in this territory which Hamilton is included. This historic belt documents that this was an ‘equal’ relationship and not a ‘patriarchal’ one. “The belt consists of two rows of purple wampum beads on a white background. Three rows of white beads symbolizing peace, friendship, and respect separate the two purple rows. The two purple rows symbolize two paths or two vessels travelling down the same river. One row symbolizes the Haudenosaunee people with their law and customs, while the other row symbolizes European laws and customs.

As nations move together side-by-side on the River of Life, they are to avoid overlapping or interfering with one another.”

The Medicine Wheel is important as a foundational symbol in relation to all the panels. Being a circle, it represents the interconnectivity of ‘everything’. The 4 quadrants may represent the 4 races, 4 seasons, 4 cardinal directions, 4 stages of life as well as the aspects of one’s being, including the connection with the natural world. The number 4 has great significance in Indigenous culture.

The teachings and meanings of the Medicine Wheel may vary slightly between Indigenous nations but it has been used throughout Turtle Island as a powerful symbol that influences how we view the world and how all things are connected.

I have added 5 Eagle feathers to the bottom of this Medicine Wheel in order to acknowledge and honour the 5 Indigenous nations who have historically lived in this territory: The Neutral, Anishnabek, Huron, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.

Earth Mother, Trees and The Winged Ones

Trees are vital to us in so many ways. They store carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, stabilize the soil, provide a home to countless species of animals, birds, insects and other micro organisms and some even produce medicine - such as the sap from the Maple Tree ‘wáhta’ (Mohawk) which I’ve chosen to depict. They also provide material for tools, furniture, shelter and fuel. Hamilton’s waterfront is surrounded by lush forest which is home to the many winged creatures featured in this panel.

Mother Earth ‘shkaakaamikwe’ (Ojibwe) is the foundation which supports and sustains all life and North America is called Turtle Island by Indigenous nations due in part to the Iroquois creation story (Sky Woman) and the shape of the continent.

The most important bird to First Nations is the Eagle ‘À:kwaks’ (Mohawk), as it flies the highest which signifies freedom, the ability to see far ahead into the future, courage, wisdom and strength and its purpose is as the messenger to the Creator.

Next is the Great Blue Heron ‘zhashagi’ (Ojibwe), which brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. They represent innate wisdom and grounding.

The Red Cardinal ‘Tsinekwenhtáhrha’ (Cayuga) is a year round resident and a recognized symbol of Ontario. In Native Canadian/American culture it represents power, wealth, and enthusiasm as well as relationships, courtship and monogamy.

Dragonflies ‘oboodashkwaanishiinh’ (Ojibwe) play an important part in our ecosystem by controlling the population of unwanted insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies and ants. In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization including illusion (in Indigenous culture).

Water and Creatures that Swim

Water ‘nibi’ (Ojibwe) is our most precious resource, as we cannot live without it. All plants and animals must have water to survive. Hamilton is home to over one hundred waterfalls and cascades, river systems, harbours (and of course Lake Ontario) which, in part has made it an internationally renowned tourist destination.

The Turtle ‘A’nó:wara’ (Mohawk) is a very important, sacred figure in Indigenous culture as it symbolizes Mother Earth. It represents her stoic ability to carry the heavy burden of man on her shell. Many species have 13 sections to their under side believed to represent the cycle of the thirteen moons which are a celestial symbol of motherhood. The meaning of the Turtle signifies truth, good health and long life and is an important clan animal for the Haudenosaunee.

The ecological role of Frogs ‘Otskwá:rhe' (Mohawk) include food chain importance, pest control and as tadpoles, they eat algae, helping regulate blooms and reducing the chances of algal contamination. Symbolically, they are strongly connected to the water element and the process of healing and renewal, cleansing and transformation.

A variety of fish ‘Kéntson’ (Mohawk) species including Salmon, Trout, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass can be found in Lake Ontario. For thousands of years prior to European contact, Indigenous peoples have used spearing, angling, and netting techniques to capture fish for their own subsistence and for use in intertribal trade. Salmon in particular, have been an important food source and symbol for Indigenous communities and represents fertility, adaptation, change, rebirth, moving, happiness, eternal life and femininity.