Return of the Sacred mural by Philip Cote

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Return of the Sacred mural by Philip Cote

Return of the Sacred was commissioned by UFCW Canada in partnership with Moccasin Identifier, as part of the union’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous advocacy, and treaty recognition.

“Collaborating with Moccasin Identifier, an Indigenous organization, to create a mural that is focused on respecting treaty promises and truth and reconciliation demonstrates that we can all do this together. Indigenous people, non-Indigenous people, and allies can lead the way in showing that reconciliation can be done in a good way.” – Eric Flett, Resident Elder, UFCW Canada

“When we think about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it’s really talking about the revival of our culture. The revival of our culture is to retell these ancient stories again. Indigenous people and settlers, we are all on this journey together. The 8th fire tells us that we are merging. What this means is that we’re destined to become closer as a family. These changes that are happening are meant for everyone because we are rewriting the past and there’s a lot of healing that’s going to happen during this time. We are all on this healing journey, this time of the Spirit. We’re all on the heart road, the road between the physical and the spirit world." - Philip Cote, Artist

  • The seven animals represent each of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: the wolf represents humility, the beaver represents wisdom, the bear represent bravery, the bison represents respect, the turtle represents truth, the eagle represents love, and raven represents honesty.

  • The fish is connected to the turtle, which represents the intellects, the people in the community.

  • The wampum beads on a strand which traditionally symbolizes an invitation to cross the territory.

  • The sun, our star, represents the light force that is creating life.

  • The red hand resting on the turtle’s back symbolizes 2SMMIWG, and all the lives that have been lost.

  • The Anishnawbe Moccasin in honour of the Moccasin Identifier projects, and represents the Mississaugas of the First Credit.

  • The petriform medicine wheel: the medicine wheel was placed on the ground by Indigenous people to monitor the start when they would circulate around the sky. This would indicate to them when to plant crops. They have been around forever. The oldest petriform medicine wheel was found at High Park (Toronto) and is about 5000 years old.

  • The hearts represent the sacred fires.

  • The canoe represents the Wendat Nation, with the four animals representing the four directions.

  • The blue background is a sky view where you can see the stars, as they come down to where we are.

  • The black line represents the beginning of the universe and connects everything together.

Watch Philip Cote’s description of the mural in the video below.

Return of the Sacred Mural

About Philip Cote, Artist

Philip Cote, MFA of Moose Deer Point First Nation is a Young Spiritual Elder, Indigenous Artist, Activist, Educator, Historian and Ancestral Knowledge Keeper. Philip is a graduate of OCAD University’s Interdisciplinary Art Media and Design Masters program.

He is engaged in creating opportunities for art-making and teaching methodologies through Indigenous symbolism, traditional ceremonies, history, oral stories, and land-based pedagogy. His art and teaching philosophy evolves from his practice of experiential learning and the transmission of Indigenous Knowledge.

Philip has shared his knowledge with numerous institutions from York University, the Art Gallery of Ontario, University of Toronto, OCAD University, Peel District School Board and the TDSB.

Philip is also a tour guide with “First Story” since 2005 providing an Indigenous history of Toronto covering the last 13,500 years and as far back as 130,000 years.

Philip has won numerous TABIA awards for his public Street Art Murals Across the City of Toronto.

 

About Moccasin Identifier

Founded by Carolyn King in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and The Greenbelt Foundation. Moccasin Identifier is an Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of Indigenous Treaties and history across Canada. Our mission is to cover Canada in Moccasins, creating visual and educational reminders of the significance of Treaties and the Indigenous relationships to the land.

Watch Carolyn King discuss the mission of the Moccasin Identifier project and the ongoing collaboration with UFCW Canada in the video below.

Moccasin Identifier