- June 12, 2015 - Jardin botanique : The Story of a Garden
On National Aboriginal Day and the summer solstice, June 21, the First Nations Garden will be inaugurating an ephemeral mural, Oh Crow! Quand les chemins du hasard mènent au Jardin des Premières-Nations (Oh Crow! When the Roads of Chance Lead to the First Nations Garden). Two artists, Frédéric Péloquin and Geronimo Inutiq, will create the hybrid work, which embraces both the visual arts and a creation in sound.
Creating with remote-controlled cars
Because there’s a social dimension, the project is inviting the public to take part in the process of creation. At get-togethers in three different places – Place des Festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles, Open Door, and the Jardin botanique de Montréal – citizens will be requested to draw with the help of miniature remote-controlled cars that have pencils fixed to them. These creation sessions will all begin with a reading of the Native peoples tale Oh Crow! Oh Crow! to provide participants with inspiration. Once lines have been created by the movements of the remote-controlled cars, there will be discussions about the result designed to determine the final shape and about the colors to be used to complete the mosaics shaped by the jumble of pencil strokes. The completed mural will consist of nine tableaux, which will be on view at the First Nations Garden. This project is being carried out in partnership with Exeko, a charitable organization based in Montreal since 2006 and whose mission is to promote, through innovation in culture and education, the inclusion and development of the most marginalized people.
A day to celebrate Mother Earth
National Aboriginal Day is very important for all the First Nations, who take advantage of the date to call attention to the renewal of the seasons and the power of the sun, rich in energy and true source of life. For thousands of years, highly elaborate rituals and ceremonies have been observed to thank Mother Earth and her generous yields, and to pay tribute to the ancestors. Right across the country, indigenous people celebrate this moment of the year when the day is longest. There’s singing, dancing, offerings, a good meal is shared, and everyone’s invited.
Celebrating the solstice
At the First Nations Garden this year, we’re celebrating the day with exceptional guests. In the morning there will be a Water Ceremony with Francine Payer of the Anishinabe nation, and then a Flower Ceremony with Lesvia Vela, a Maya from Guatemala. Both of them will invite us to gather in the Healing Circle around the sacred fire and express our gratitude at the arrival of summer.
Why not share in these moments of calm and reflection by visiting the First Nations Garden on June 21?
