Riverside mural celebrates Toronto's indigenous communities

Photo: Riverside BIA

A familiar wall in Riverside just got a fresh mural. 

The WoodGreen Community Services building at Queen and Carroll is the canvas to a new piece entitled Tkaranto Past/Tkaranto Future (Toronto Past/Toronto Future).

A tribute to Toronto's indigenous community, the painting blends styles of traditional woodland and contemporary street art reflective of the generations of the artists involved with its creation. 

"Toronto has the largest population of urban indigenous populations, but there are few public visual markers that showcase the cultural vibrancy, voice and creativity of these communities," read a statement from the Riverside BIA, the organization behind its conception. 

As a district with a long and rich history, the Riverside BIA wanted a reference to Indigenous heritage in the neighbourhood.  

"For this reason, we focused on engaging a group of Aboriginal artists to do a piece in Riverside that speaks to the area’s First Nations heritage."

The Tkaranto Past/Tkaranto Future references historical communities in the area, but also showcases the vibrancy contemporary community as a whole. 

Mural artists include street artist Isaac Weber, Philip Cote, a veteran Indigenous artist, elder and muralist, and Destiny Rae Wheatley, as well as Chief Ladybird.

You can go check out the work now at 650 Queen St. E, and stay tuned for details of launch celebrations on Aug. 27.