O-8255

•

window (stained-glass)

•

Giniigaaniimenaaning

Stained glass window: Giniigaaniimenaaning

This stained glass window was created by Métis artist Christi Belcourt. It was installed in 2012 above Centre Block’s west entrance, commonly referred to as the Members’ entrance due to its proximity to the House of Commons Chamber. Designed to be read clockwise from the bottom left, the window features seven panels that tell the story of Aboriginal life before, during, and after Canada’s residential school system. Symbols representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture are found throughout. The title is an Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) word that means “Looking Ahead” and is meant to remind us of our responsibility to future generations. The artist’s own description of her work can be read on the Government of Canada’s website.

Christi Belcourt

Christi Belcourt was born in 1966 in Scarborough, Ontario, with ancestral connections to the Cree community of Manitou Sakhigan (Lac Ste. Anne), Alberta. Her art explores themes such as Métis culture, Indigenous identity, spirituality, and the environment. Among Belcourt’s most celebrated works are acrylic paintings made up of countless dots of luminous colour on a black background, paying homage to traditional Métis beadwork. Her community-based project and travelling exhibit, “Walking With Our Sisters,” ended its seven year touring memorial with a closing ceremony in Batoche, Saskatchewan, in 2019. The exhibit featured 1,763 pairs of beaded vamps (the decorated tops of moccasins), representing the incomplete lives of Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or were murdered in Canada. Belcourt, whose creations are featured in major galleries and art museums, was commissioned to design a stained glass window for Parliament. She has received numerous honours and awards for her work, including the Governor General’s Award for Innovation in 2016.