May 8, 1997: SOD TURNED FOR ABORIGINAL WAR MONUMENT

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposed monument will be a tribute to the contributions of Canadian Aboriginal peoples throughout war and peace. Their involvement in the Armed Forces was both extensive and voluntary.

The monument will cover four segments of history. In high relief, each of four bronze panels will depict a different era - World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, and the present day role of peacekeeping. Each will be framed by marble pillars supporting and forming a base on which will sit a bronze statue.

The structure will address the strength of Aboriginal peoples' beliefs as drawn from the natural world around them. Often a warrior would have a special spirit guide in the form of a bear or perhaps a wolf. Each of these creatures have characteristics that are held in high esteem. For the wolf, intelligence, courage and family values were attributes that a man would strive to emulate. In a bear, tremendous strength and power in battle would be a goal. The elk, also known as the red deer or wapiti, is fleet of foot and has very sharp senses yet it is very powerful in battle. The cougar was admired for it's stealth, ferocity and speed. These creatures all hold special places within aboriginal mythology as well as present day activities.

These concepts were integral to indigenous peoples' social structure. Each clan would perform special duties according to the situation. For example, in the case of protecting the encampment, the dog (wolf) soldier would take precedence. No other clan or group would defy their actions. Yet in other situations, a different group would make the decisions. In the sculpture, these various clans will be represented.

In design, the monument uses both the number four and the circle. Four is a special number. There are four seasons, four directions, and four stages of life. The circle is sacred and found in all periods of aboriginal history.

The monument addresses the important role of aboriginal women as well, as they figure prominently in two of the four panels and also in the upper part of the sculpture. The four figures on the sculpture are drawn from various aboriginal groups of Canada. Two of the figures hold weapons and two hold items of spiritual and peaceful nature. The eagle wing fan is used for purification and the peace pipe is a part of a ceremony held in a non-combative situation. The intention of this balance is that often the reason for war is the desire for peace.

Above flies the eagle. Symbolic of the Creator, known as the Thunderbird, this figure embodies the spirit of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. It is fitting that the eagle occupies the highest spot in the sculpture.

The monument will address both the historic involvement of the indigenous peoples' defence of Canada, and the spiritual values that they held. Across Canada, all aboriginal groups will be able to identify and relate to various aspects of this work.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

As a matter of artistic background, the ultimate mediums to use in sculpture are bronze and marble. This is because durability is the foremost concern. The panels and the statue will be cast in bronze, and resistant to most elements. The base and framing pillars will be constructed out of marble. Marble, being a natural material, has an artistic role to play in the statue. The underlying steps are to be made from granite, which also has a vital connection to the earth, and is common to all parts of Canada. The sub-surface of the foundation will consist of reinforced concrete and the necessary footings to achieve a stable foundation.

The bronze portion of the statue will be firmly affixed to the base with non-corrosive concrete anchors. The four bronze panels, interpretive plaques, and donor plaques will be affixed in a similar manner to safeguard against damage.

The marble base and the granite steps will be set into reinforced concrete via an appropriately engineered support system.

Lighting for the monument is envisioned to be an integral part of the statue itself. It will remain discretely located.

PROJECT DIMENSION

The scale to be used on the monument is approximately one to one and one-half of life-size, (1:1½). As with most outdoor statues, a larger than life size is appropriate since, the statue is viewable from larger distances than indoors.

The actual size of the monument when completed will be approximately nine meters in height, (30 feet). The actual finished size may vary somewhat due to the availability of material.

PROJECT DURATION

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Lloyd N. Pinay

The vital relationship of mankind to his environment is evident in the wide range of artwork done by Lloyd Pinay. At ease with both realism and surrealism, his self-taught style shows experience of sculpting in stone and bronze.

Freedom and spirituality, central themes in his art, are also in his ancestry. Being a Registered Treaty Indian, he can trace his forefathers from Plains Ojibway, Plains Cree, and Sioux origins. The nomadic lifestyles they once enjoyed are a constant source of inspiration for the artist.

Mr. Pinay's artwork has been collected in exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada. It has won him acclaim in both juried exhibitions and monument commissions to honour his forefathers.

At present Lloyd sculpts and paints in northern Canada. He plans to continue developing his artwork with the belief that art can foster appreciation and preservation of the natural elements of the land.

CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN

Due to the lack of natural materials, the monument was erected on a huge piece of granite with no marble pillars. The cougar was replaced by a bison to show the importance of this animal to the native peoples in past times. Everything was used on the buffalo, from the skin for clothing and shelter to the bones for tools and weapons.

FUTURE WORK ON THE MONUMENT

Fundraising is still ongoing to enable the plaques to be set in place on the Monument's granite base and the lighting to be installed. The Dedication Plaque will be placed on a separate piece of granite towards the front of the Monument.