Awen' Gathering Place

The concept for the Awen' Gathering Place is based on the teachings of renowned Anishinaabe educator, artist, and poet Dr. Duke Redbird. It links the seven layers of the food forest to the Seven Grandfather Teachings, an ancient Anishinaabe/Midewiwin teaching on the ethics of proper behaviour and conduct or 'the good way of life'. These teachings are linked to lands that were for thousands of years, the source of life for the Anishinaabeg peoples who gathered foods, medicines, and materials from the forest in the area that is now Collingwood.

Creation of the Awen'

Realizing the vision of Dr. Duke Redbird and a team of Indigenous designers the Awen' Gathering Place marries an open-air pavilion and ceremonial lawn prominently sited on a naturalized hilltop in Harbourview Park. The sculptural pavilion that forms the centrepiece, honours the area's historical indigenous presence through its artistic expression of the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

The design for the gathering place was the Town's first comprehensive Indigenous consultation undertaken for a park planning and feature construction project. The resulting seven-meter Alaskan Cedar poles are tilted at varying angles in a circle to evoke the visual attributes of forest trees and a traditional gathering place at the centre of First Nation villages of the past and present. The poles support seven laser-cut steel canopies, each cut with a different pattern representing each of the food forest layers. Seven seating platforms below the canopy are engraved with the Ancestor Teachings in the Ojibwe language. As a sculptural representation of the food forest, the design links each forest layer to one of the Seven Ancestor Teachings and provides a space that carries context symbolic of First Nations traditions, land-based learning, and the importance of environmental sustainability. Lit at night, the gathering place serves as a luminous sculptural beacon along Georgian Bay's shoreline to create a symbolic gateway to encourage discussions, connections and cultural recognition necessary to foster Truth and Reconciliation.

Top view of the Awen' Gathering Place canopy like structure

Lafontaine Iron Werks, of Tiny, Ontario, joined forces with Nicola Logworks of Merritt, B.C., to produce the vision inspired by Dr. Redbird and colleagues. Locally, Envision Tatham provided site planning, design, and engineering services to ensure that the structure had the foundation and support needed. Local electrical contract, Spears Electric, ensured that the structure had the power needed to provide light and utility and make the Gathering Circle a very visible component of the Town's waterfront skyline. Eco Blue Systems took on the very difficult work of reclaiming the lands from their former use and developing a basis for trails, landforms, and the Gathering Circle structure, that will make Collingwood proud.

Close up aerial shot of the Awen' canopy steel work

The project caught the imagination of District 6 of the United Steelworkers Union (USWD6) who generously volunteered resources and labour to complete the landscaping during their bi-annual convention at Blue Mountain Resort. With a long-standing and acknowledged connection to union members of Indigenous origin, the Steelworkers were moved by the idea of being responsible for "building a bridge" to Reconciliation. More than 450 USWD6 members joined the build-day on September 6, 2018, to lay sod, assist with land forming, and clean litter from the shoreline environment of Georgian Bay in Collingwood. USW representatives have acknowledged that this project was one of the largest and most meaningful community outreach projects they have accomplished in their conference history.

The Awen' Gathering Place is a collaboration between Brook McIlroy's Indigenous Design Studio (architects and landscape architects), Envision-Tatham (landscape architects and engineers), and Dr. Duke Redbird.

The Seven Grandfather Teachings of Awen'

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing overcanopy species like Maple, Beech, Walnut, Hickory

…to cherish knowledge is to know wisdom. Wisdom is given by the Creator to be used for the good of the people. In the Anishinaabe language this word expresses not only wisdom but also prudence or intelligence.

Food Forest: The design by the Indigenous architects for the Nbwaakaawin canopy references the overstory layer of the forest – the large, ancient trees which teach wisdom. Example species: Maple, Beech, Walnut, Hickory. The design for this pattern is based on markings made on tree trunks by the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius).

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing understory species like apple tree, chokecherry tree, hawthorn tree

….bravery is to face the foe with integrity. In the Anishinaabe language, this word literally means “state of having a fearless heart.” To do what is right even when the consequences are unpleasant.

Food Forest: The Aakide’ewin canopy design references the understory layer of the food forest below the canopy, where smaller trees grow with limited sunlight including fruit and nut trees which teach courage. Example Species: Apple Tree, Chokecherry Tree, Hawthorn. This pattern depicts a stylized image of the buds on a Hawthorn Tree (Crataegus mollis).

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing shrub species like sumac, blueberries, raspberries

….to honor all creation is to have respect. All of creation should be treated with respect. You must give respect if you wish to be respected.

Food Forest: The Mnadendimoowin canopy design references the dense shrub layer below the understory that includes berries and berry bushes that teach respect. Example Species: Sumac, blueberries, raspberries. This pattern is based on the grouping of leaves of the Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing ground species like mushroom, poison ivy, fly agaric

….to learn the truth, to live with truth, to walk with truth, to speak truth.

Food Forest: The Debwewin canopy design references low-lying species growing at ground level that are sometimes poison ous. Knowledge of these species is essential to avoid harm and teaches truth. Example Species: Mushrooms, Poison Ivy, Fly Agaric. This pattern is based on the spore markings of the Deadly Galerina (Galerina autumnalis).

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing herb species like sorrel, comfrey, wild strawberry

….honesty in facing a situation is to be brave. Always be honest in word and action. Be honest first with yourself, and you will more easily be able to be honest with others. In the Anishinaabe language, this word can also mean righteousness.

Food Forest: The Gwekwaadiziwin canopy design references the herbaceous layer of vegetation consisting of easy to identify species that make life simpler including culinary and medicinal herbs that teaches honesty. Example Species: Sorrel, Comfrey, Wild Strawberry. This pattern is drawn from the seeds of Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana).

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing root species like wild onion, wild garlic, American ginseng

….humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation. In the Anishinaabe language, this word can also mean compassion. You are equal to others, but you are not better.

Food Forest: The Dbadendizwin canopy design references the layer growing below the ground consisting of tubers and root vegetables. To harvest these requires hard, honest work that teaches humility. Example Species: Wild Onions, Wild Garlic, American Ginseng. This pattern is based on the roots of Wild Onion (Allium vineale).

Photograph and diagram of a laser-cut steel canopy from the Awen's gathering place with a pattern representing vine species like riverbank grapes, groundnut

…..to know peace is to know Love. Love must be unconditional. When people are weak they need love the most. In the Anishinaabe language, this word with the reciprocal theme /idi/ indicates that this form of love is mutual.

Food Forest: The Zaagedowin canopy design references the Vine layer of the food forest including Ivies, creepers and climbers that grow from the ground up, embracing other species for support to reach sunlight which teaches love. Example Species include Riverbank Grapes and Groundnut (Indian potato). This pattern is based on the braided vine of the Groundnut (Apios americana).

Film: Awen' Gathering Place

In collaboration with a local film company, the Town produced a 10-minute film about the Awen’ Gathering Place which has been screened at municipal events such as the Collingwood Art Crawl and Envisioning a Future toward Reconciliation.

About Dr. Duke Redbird

(born 1939) is an Aboriginal Canadian poet, journalist, activist, businessman, actor and administrator, best known as a key figure in the development of First Nations literature in Canada.

An Ojibwe from the Saugeen First Nation in Southwestern Ontario, he became a ward of the Children's Aid Society at nine months of age after his mother died in a house fire. Raised predominantly by Caucasian foster families, he began writing as a way to deal with the anti -aboriginal racism he faced in schools.

His published poetry collections include I Am Canadian (1978) and Loveshine and Red Wine (1981). He has also written commissioned work for various public events in Canada, including Expo 67 and the official opening of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. A musical theatre project based on his poetry was performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 1977, and Redbird represented Canada at the Valmiki World Poetry Festival in Delhi, India in 1985.

In every Nation, in every Clan
the Elders to a person
whether woman or a man
shared a common truth one truth to understand,
the Spirit of the people is equal to the Power of the land

The mother of us all
the sacred Mother Earth
is constant in her giving
and perpetual in her birth
in meadows and in fields
where weeds and flowers grow
she conceives the summer showers
and spawns the winter snows.

In forests and in mountains
she gives the birds that fly
every type of wing
then coaxes the wind to join
in harmony when they begin to sing.

In brooks and streams and rivers as they flow
she generates the dreams
and makes the fires glow
and in every creature
whether large or small
she buries gems of wisdom in them all
and in every grain of sand
she plants the knowledge
of the Power of the Land.

And those that honour her creations
and acknowledge her grand design
she gives the temples of the sacred
and the patterns of the divine
and then with certain knowledge
this to understand
that the spirit of the people
is equal
to the Power of the Land

Use of the Awen'

As an outdoor space, the Awen' Gathering Place is available free of charge to the community for ceremonies, celebrations, teachings, contemplation and other peaceful and respectful gatherings. The Awen' is made use by the Town of Collingwood for events and gatherings but is meant to be used informally by the community. There is no booking of the space or rental fee, however we ask that you adhere to the terms outlined in the Terms of Use.

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Awen' Gathering Place

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