East End Arts and East End United Regional Ministry are excited to unveil Indigenous Roots 2.0, an East End Mural Project for 2026. Scroll down to learn more!
Indigenous Roots 2.0 Mural Unveiling + Celebration
Thursday September 24, 2026 | 6:15-8:30PM
1470 Gerrard St East
FREE to attend | RSVP HERE ON FACEBOOK
ABOUT INDIGENOUS ROOTS 2.0:
Indigenous Roots began in 2025 as a public art partnership between East End Arts (EEA) and East End United Regional Ministry (EEURM), and it has continued into 2026 as Indigenous Roots 2.0. This mural partnership is a part of the EEURM’s journey towards addressing the church-related recommendations as addressed by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. It is rooted in a deep sense of justice, solidarity and commitment to build bridges and forge meaningful connections with the original stewards of this land.
In August of 2026, EEA and EEURM (along with East End Food Hub) worked with Métis artist, muralist, and woodworker Josh LeClerc (@toe.fish on Instagram) to beautify and enhance the indoor lobby and stairway space at the Glen Rhodes Campus on Gerrard Street East (located at 1470 Gerrard St East), exploring themes of Indigenous Representation, Brilliance, Joy, Interconnectedness, Land Stewardship, Cultural Preservation, and more. Indigenous Roots 2.0 is a continuation of the work started in 2025 via the first iteration of “Indigenous Roots“.
This mural project is now complete, and we are inviting our local communities to come out and celebrate this beautiful new mural, toast the incredible artist who brought it to life, and recognize and honour Indigenous Culture and History in light of the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in September.
Please join us on Thursday September 24th, 2026 from 6:15PM-8:30PM for a service and celebration centred around food and community to celebrate this new mural project! There will be soup, bread, and refreshments, followed by a service that will feature conversation, teaching, music, accessible art activities, and a moment to honour Josh, the talented artist who made this project possible. We hope to see you there!
Our celebration will be part of “The Spark” service, a low-tech, bread-and-soup evening worship service held every Thursday at Glen Rhodes Campus (which is accessible for wheelchairs via an elevator. If you plan on attending and require use of the elevator, please email: bswan@eastendunited.ca). You can learn more about “The Spark” service here.
JOIN US TO:
- Meet the lead artist & organizers who helped make this beautiful mural project possible
- Enjoy soup, bread, and refreshments
- Enjoy music and conversation
- Take some photos and/or selfies in front of the beautiful new hallway/staircase mural
- Take part in a “Reconciliations Rocks” painting activity for people of all ages, (paint your vision of reconciliation on it’s surface).
- And more!
ABOUT THE LEAD ARTIST
Josh LeClerc
Social Media: Instagram @toe.fish
About the Artist: Josh LeClerc is a Métis artist, muralist, and woodworker working in an eclectic range of styles and mediums. Over the last few years he has also begun teaching art to children with a focus on curiosity, play and the creating with found natural materials. Themes in his work often include our human relationship to the natural world, sustainability, ancestry, and identity. He has presented his work in solo and group shows in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto.
ABOUT THE COMPLETED MURAL: “Sustaining the Land for All Who Come Next”
“This mural is painted in honour of the journey that my Cree and French ancestors took across Turtle Island. It focuses on the animals, places, and art that have most inspired both my creative process and Métis identity. The animals are adorned with floral patterns, which were inspired by Métis beadwork. Specially that which is found on the fire, or octopus, bags that were used to carry tobacco and fire starter.
At the entrance you will find the image of a Red Tailed Hawk. It stands on rippling rocks, perched on the North shore of Lake Superior. Beside it, two Eastern White Pines soar above the water, representing the towering beauty of nature. As the mural moves along it transitions from rolling hills to a familiar urban setting. Moving from the city into a fish filled Humber River we are reminded of our dependency and responsibility towards nature. Proudly standing above this is the mighty Bison. It stands in front of the Red River Métis farming communities, featuring long narrow plots, which gave everyone equal access to the river. The final scene is the Peace River Valley. This is the farming community in Northern British Columbia that my ancestors eventually settled in, and where I was born. Here the broad Mule Deer stands atop the valley and a large Raven is perched upon a Birch branch. These animals and these images encourage us to remember the importance of the land, and our shared responsibility to sustaining it for future generations.”
Mural in progress photos below:
Completed mural photos below:
ABOUT THE FUNDER:
East End United Regional Ministry is a faith seeking community of the United Church that welcomes participants with diverse perspectives on God, church and the meaning of Christian faith.
An affirming congregation of the United Church that invites people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to join us.
A provider of services to members of our local community offering practical necessities, such as food and clothing, as well as the warmth of community and care.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Indigenous Roots Public Art Project takes place on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, which is also the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee confederacy and the Anishinaabe. This territory is subject to the dish with one spoon treaty, a covenant between the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat to share and care for the land and resources in the lower Great Lakes area.