The Barrie Community Foundation has been pivotal in assisting the Friends of Wiidookdaadiwin in their efforts to bring to life their vision of a place to remember our past, celebrate our present and build our future.
The Wiidookdaadiwin project is well underway. The bronze monument by renowned artist Marlene Hilton Moore currently sits at the Simcoe County Museum and will be relocated to the rehabilitated height of land on George Johnston Road.
Our name, Wiidookdaadiwin, is from the Ojibway language and means “Working Together and Helping One Another”. It describes the sculpture as well as the site of land and the spirit of cooperation among the Chippewas Tri Council, the County and other dedicated volunteers. At this time in history, when both the Provincial and Federal governments have committed to the implementation of the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, what could be more important than to work together and support one another? Wiidookdaadiwin will not only offer a place of education, reflection and a celebration of shared history, but will also model a new way of collaboration based on truth and respect.
The site will be multi-use: It will be a tourism spot with a unique vista of Simcoe County, featuring an incomparable ecological experience overlooking the world class biosphere Minesing wetlands, Niagara Escarpment, Georgian Bay, Carolinian and Boreal Forests, as well as many Indigenous plantings. As an educational location for schools to teach accurate history of the region starting pre-contact it provides a focal point connecting nearby significant sites: Fort Willow, 9 Mile Portage, Simcoe County Museum, Minesing Wetlands, and Blue Mountains.
Engineering drawings for the construction of a viewing deck and the foundation for the sculpture are complete as well as detailed plans for gathering places, indigenous signage and plantings. Actual construction is expected to begin this summer for completion in the fall.
Fundraising continues to be very successful with more than half the capital requirements pledged or in hand. If you wish to donate directly to the project, please do so on the website. If you wish to donate via a transfer of stocks, please contact the Barrie Community Foundation.
