MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOP'S OFFICE
- BISHOP Douglas Crosby -

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the spirit garden

A project seven years in the making, was officially opened at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, on September 30th, 2024 the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. More than 100 residential school survivors were the first to walk in the space along with Indigenous community members and politicians.   The project of the Toronto Fire Indigenous Council, supported by many Catholic organizations including the Diocese of Hamilton, is designed to bridge cross-cultural dialogue through teaching, learning, sharing and healing for both Indigenous communities and all who visit. It responds in part to a Call to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Spirit Garden features a six-foot tall limestone turtle sculpture, and 36-foot-long stainless steel spirit canoe with laser-cut artwork and painted panels, a five-foot-tall Inuksuk, a teaching lodge and two-way Wampum walkway, and a Three Sisters garden planted with beans, squash and corn, accompanied by artwork etched onto Muntz metal panels. It is the most recent “must visit’ location in the city!