Tree Carving Raises Awareness of Indigenous History in Port Credit
Where Hurontario Street meets Lakeshore Road stands a three-storey red-brick building constructed by workers from the St. Lawrence starch factory during the 1930’s recession. Today, that same building is the head office to local developer FRAM+Slokker and though the now refurbished structure stands in testament to the area’s more recent history, the remains of a single maple tree that sits on the front lawn is about to tell a story that dates back to a much earlier time.
Commissioned by FRAM+Slokker President Frank Giannone and incorporating the talents of local Indigenous carver Sawmill Sid (Gendron), the tree will soon be transformed into an artistic expression that speaks to the Indigenous history of the Port Credit area.
When finished, it will represent the first in a series of Indigenous art installations that will ultimately form a trail spanning Port Credit’s four-kilometre stretch of Lake Ontario waterfront.
Permanent, transitional, and natural artwork and plantings will tell the area’s original story through the eyes of Indigenous artists.
This rich history is what helped drive Giannone’s decision to reimagine versus remove the tree.
“We were introduced to the idea of recognizing the area’s Indigenous roots through the creation of a waterfront art trail back in 2019. Since that time, Fram+Slokker has worked closely with the community, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the City of Mississauga to pursue opportunities that would bring this vision to life.”
Recruited for this project by Ward 1 Councillor, Stephen Dasko, Sawmill Sid has been consulting with representatives from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation throughout the summer to arrive at a final design that pays homage to the area’s early history. His inspiration for the carving was visceral. “As I walk to her, she spoke to me. This is the one project that will truly tug at the heartstrings of our community as it shares our Indigenous history. It is an honour to have been approached to create this important first installation and it's something that I consider to be a legacy project”.
For lead carver Richard Posa, translating this vision into a finished art piece has had a cathartic appeal as he comments, "Heal the land and teach the children the power and the wisdom of nature."
Dasko states “Over the past two years I’ve been working closely with the community and key stakeholders in the development of a comprehensive, mixed-medium approach to telling the story of this area’s Indigenous past. It’s exciting to see it beginning to take shape.”
Together with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Sawmill Sid Gendron, Councillor Stephen Dasko, and Frank Giannone, we welcome all to attend this important unveiling that will feature a Healing Dance performed by Lauren Porter with Kim Sault drumming, prior to the unveiling.