Giant bronze public art structure in Outremont erected on historical Indigenous route

An Indigenous artist from Montreal inaugurated a public artwork in Outremont on Wednesday.

Nadia Myre, an Anishinaabe artist, unveiled “Renouée” at the corner of Laurier and Côte-Sainte-Catherine.

It is a poured bronze structure that can be compared to a small Eiffel Tower.

“What we’re looking at first and foremost is a poured bronze, and the shape is kind of reminiscent of fish, fishing nets,” said Myre. “And it’s made out of different sizes of rope that are netted together and tied together.”

The Côte-Sainte-Catherine location was chosen specifically as Myre says it was a historical route that many Indigenous people took prior to contact with settlers.

“What I was trying to do was really kind of situate an Indigenous presence in the city,” she said.

The structure is eight metres tall and can be seen by drivers, cyclists and pedestrians from a ways away.

The art work meets certain goals set by the current municipal administration, including adding public art pieces throughout the city while putting an emphasis on culture and inclusion.

“I think for me what is really interesting and important is that the Bureau d’Art Public de Montreal has made a lot of consorted effort to include Indigenous artists in the shortlist of selection committees,” said Myre. “And even especially with this particular project there was an Indigenous artist who was part of the advisory committee.

“And I think that goes towards their efforts of reconciliation, things that Mayor Valérie Plante has put into motion two years ago and the adoption of the white pine in the city of Montreal’s flag.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s incredibly validating to have Indigenous histories take shape and route in the public consciousness through public art in the city of Montreal.”