If approved by city council at its meeting on Monday, the crosswalk at Mondamin and Talbot streets will be painted as a truth and reconciliation project for St. Thomas.
The crosswalk would be painted bright orange with seven white feathers. The feathers represent the seven principles of Indigenous communities: love, respect, courage, honesty, humility, truth and wisdom.
It would be known as the Seven Feathers Crosswalk.
It’s an appropriate location as Mondamin is the Ojibwa word for corn.
In Anishinabe tradition, Mandaamin or Mondamin is the spirit of the corn.
The proposed location is scheduled for a full reconstruction next year under Talbot Streetscaping Phase 3, pending council approval.
City staff recommend using basic road paints and stencils for this year’s crosswalk and more durable, long lasting pavement markings during next year’s reconstruction.
The project is scheduled to be completed in early September.
Written by Ian McCallum