Markham students carving truth, wisdom on way to Indigenous thrones

7 Grandfather teachings highlighted in 12-foot beautiful walnut, black walnut creations

Yorkregion.com
August 14, 2018
Tim Kelly

Under a warm, beating sun, recent graduates of Unionville High School use power tools to carve huge wooden blocks into Indigenous thrones.

The thrones are emblematic of the Seven Indigenous Grandfather teachings of truth (turtle), honesty (raven), wolf (humility), eagle (love), bear (bravery), bison (respect) and beaver (wisdom) as well as an eighth figure representing governance.

There are eight thrones being carved so one can reside, likely in a park, in each of Markham’s eight wards.

The project ongoing right now at the Markham Museum grounds is being completed by six students under the direction of Shane Clodd, the visual arts department head at Unionville High School, who came up with the idea and partnered with the City of Markham and the York Region District School Board to make it happen.

Clodd, who is an active participant in the carving of the thrones as well as the teacher and leader on the project, said he had also brought on board Donald Chretien, a consulting Indigenous artist who comes up once a week to talk about the Seven Grandfather teachings and what they means.

Clodd also explained that the students had done a lot of work on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's multiple calls to action this year, on Indigenous history and storytelling and on signs and symbols.

He said the 10-to-12-foot-high thrones are made from Markham’s “urban forest, logs that are left to rot. We repurpose them. They are black walnut and walnut, hardwood and beautiful to carve.”

And he said they won’t be painted when they are installed, likely next spring.

Abigail Siu, 18, said she’s learned a lot by being involved in the project.

“We’ve never really worked with this type of medium so we can learn a lot of new skills. It also gives us more chances to integrate what we’ve learned over the years about Indigenous culture,” she said.

Simran Panchal, 18, said she learned a lot about the teachings of the Seven Grandfathers and Indigenous cultures.

“We also learned how to carve and use power tools,” Panchal said.

For Siu, the thrones are important for the City of Markham, because “it’s important we tell their (Indigenous people’s) stories so we can keep their culture alive.”