Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/09/2025

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Fo rewa rd The Toronto Public Art Strategy(2020-2030) is built on the understanding and recognition that the City of Toronto is situated on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. Everyone has a role to play in advancing truth and reconciliation. Public art can be an evocative entry point into this conversation helping to restore visibility to Toronto's Indigenous communities, creating a greater sense of place and belonging, and sparking dialogue about the legacy of colonialism, and a shared path forward. Recognizing the symbolic significance of public art, the City, through this new strategy, commits to embedding truth reconciliation as fo ti l pr i 1public art. In practice, this means several things. First, regardless of the nature of a particular project, the City has a responsi- bility to acknowledgethe Indigenous hi t ' r , present and future of the land as part of all of its public art projects. Secondly, Indigenous projects should continue to be characterized by self- determination and decolonization of practices.This means that Indigenous communities and creators must be at the centre of the decision-making process for any Indigenous-focused project initiated by the City of Toronto. Third, public art juries and advi rcommittees l r ri t Indigenous representation. Indigenous art projects should continue to be chosen by Indigenous selection panels, while juries and committees for non-Indigenous projects should endeavour to include Indigenous representation wherever possible. Current and upcoming projects including Tannis Nielsen's powerful murals along Lower Simcoe Street; the work of Kenneth Lavallee, thoughtfully integrated into the design of Dr. Lillian McGregor Park;and a planned landmark sculpture honouring Indian Residential School Survivors at Nathan Phillips Square are examples of how public art is being used to share Indigenous stories. With continued action, public art can build on the community, cultural and educational impact of these and other projects, and create opportunities for meaningful collaboration between the City and Indigenous creators and communities, as equal partners. Inside ®Tannis Toronto Public Art Strategy 2020/2030 3