Kanien'keh:ka artwork adorns new banners on Honor Mercier Bridge

Artists in Kahnaw:ke, south of Montreal, hope newly installed banners will remind users of theHonor Mercier Bridge of theterritory they commute through, and the vibrant culture of their community.

The bridge spans the St. Lawrence River and seaway, connectingthe island of Montreal and the south shore.Lands from Kahnaw:ke were expropriated for its constructionin 1932, and again in subsequent decadesfor renovation and expansion projects including to accommodate the construction of the seaway.

WakenhiiohsthaMontour's work is a painting of the seawaytitled Behind the Church. She said many non-Indigenous residents in the surrounding municipalities often don't realize they're crossing through Kanien'keh:ka (Mohawk) territory when they use the bridge.

"It's a way that we can remind people that aren't from Kahnaw:ke and are using our land and space that we're here," Montour said of the banner project.

"We're occupying that space that was taken away from us."

Collaborative project

The banner project is a collaboration between the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw:ke, the Kanien'keh:ka Onkwawn:na Raotitihkwa Language and Cultural Center, and the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) as a way to ensure Kanien'keh:ka culture, art, and people are represented on the bridge.

The banners feature the work of eight artists from Kahnaw:ke, as well as twoartists from Kanesatake and an artistfrom the Oneida Nation.

TheJCCBI, which has managed the federal side of thebridge since 1998, said 8.5 million trips across the bridge were recorded from July to October of last year.Sandra Martel, chief executive officer of JCCBI, said the project is one of theinitiatives to strengthen its relationship with the community.

Banners were first installed in 2017to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary.Martel told community members on Wednesday during an event to acknowledge the artists that the JCCBI was eager to repeat the initiative again this year.

"We are pleased to continue showcasing Indigenous art reproduced on banners on the bridge," she said in a statement.

Inspiring artists

Jasmin Gunn, an artist from Kanesatake, aKanien'keh:ka community west of Montreal, is another artist selected to create a banner.Her work, titled Grasp, is a digital image capturing the moment a salmon is caught by a hungry bear.

"I just think that it's really awesome that it's up there," she said.

"I'm not from here, so I don't always pass by the bridge but it's nice to be a part of something very integral to the community here."

For Ronwahawhtha Delaronde, the opportunity has been a source of motivation and inspiration to continue his art.His piece, tilted Konttie's They Fly/They're Flying, features a heron on a bright pink and yellow background surrounded by a variety of wild birds found throughout Kahnaw:ke.

"It really brought a lot of confidence in myself as an artist," said Delaronde about his work being selected.

"If someone sees it, my hope is just that people do see something beautiful. I just want to brighten up people's day a little bit."

The banners will be displayed until October.