CONTEXT

The inspiration for this commission came from a neighbourhood picnic in Oxenden during Canada’s 150 where we as a community humbly realized the role we could be playing in recognizing the deeper histories of the Indigenous communities that stewarded this land for over 10,000 years before contact and from whom we owe deep gratitude.

Our busy intersection is frequented by hikers, cyclists, dog walkers, ATV and snowmobilers, tourists and general traffic, and is also an on-road section of the Bruce Trail and Water Walker route, so it seems a very prominent and relevant place to honour Indigeneity publicly.

We held a call for proposals in Fall 2021 and in early 2022 convened a dynamic jury of First Nations and settler leaders and youth who unanimously settled on the Crane ​(Ajiijak) proposal from self-taught Woodland style artist from Neyaashiinigmiig, Charmaine Jenner (Tauchkwe). Ajiijak was unveiled on August 13, 2022.

​Learn more about Charmaine Jenner, Ajiijak, and the project in the following news stories:

Oxenden residents garner support for local symbol of reconciliation
(Owen Sound Sun Times: Feb 6, 2022)

Neyaashiinigmiing artist selected for reconciliation project
(The Owen Sound Hub, Jan 23, 2022)

Neyaashiinigmiing Artist Selected To Have Large Scale Art Piece Displayed In Oxenden
​(Bayshore Broadcasting, Jan 26, 2022)

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