One canoe is helping tell a story of peace, history and reconciliation in Huntsville, Ontario. Officers at the Huntsville Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment say they are proudly displaying PEACE, one of many canoes created for the 2023 Huntsville Festival of the Arts Canoe Mural Project. It was painted by Haudenosaunee Mohawk artist Joyce Jonathan Crone, who was born on the Six Nations of the Grand River. Police say PEACE tells the story of the Haudenosaunee Tree of Peace, honours the 1613 Two Row Wampum Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch and tributes the children lost to residential schools. Before arriving at the Ravenscliffe Road detachment, the canoe was blessed during a traditional smudging ceremony. In a social media post, officers say the piece was originally part of a project featuring artists creating live interpretations inspired by Tom Thomson’s work. “The artwork serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of peace, harmony and friendship between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people,” said OPP. Police are inviting the community to stop by, spend a few moments with PEACE and reflect on the history it represents.
