Millennium Park Art Installation Marks Completion of The Nogojiwanong Project

“Gathering,” a new public artwork by Michael Belmore is unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Millennium Park as part of the Nogojiwanong Project on Thursday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The Nogojiwanong Project is a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples and the City of Peterborough in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through the collaboration, a gathering space was created in 2019. The space encourages learning and reflection through a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

“Gathering” consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved and fitted to sit slightly apart, giving the appearance of heat radiating. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Dodems.

Michael Belmore’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, represented in numerous private collections and in the permanent collections of various institutions including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. Photo by Felicia Massey

“This work at the water’s edge is a kind of collaboration between human and rock, between human lifetime and geological time, or deep time. These stones were moved and rounded by glacial forces a millennia ago,” said Michael Belmore, Anishinaabe artist. “I am deeply honoured that through this project, Gathering can speak to our continued journey.”

The display is located next to the Trans Canada Trail near the south end of Water Street. The piece marks the completion of the Nogojiwanong Project.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.