Two recent initiatives are recognizing the legacy of residential schools and honouring Indigenous children, survivors, and families through public artwork and commemoration.

GRT gets wrapped

In Waterloo Region, a new Grand River Transit (GRT) bus wrap and designs on four regional ambulances feature artwork by Indigenous artist Kevin George. The artwork was unveiled during the annual Remember Me Walk in Kitchener on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

George, an Anishinaabe and Nehiyaw artist from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, lives in Waterloo Region. His designs reflect the harm caused by residential schools, which disrupted Indigenous families’ connections to language, culture, community, and land. They also recognize the resilience of Indigenous Peoples and ongoing efforts to reclaim cultural traditions and relationships.

“The people are reclaiming those gifts, recovering those relationships, and creating a path for future generations,” George said. Commissioned by the Reconciliation Action Partnership, the artwork will also appear on posters across the region. The Every Child Matters bus initiative began in 2023.

Tyendinaga unveils monument

In Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, a monument was unveiled following the sixth annual Every Child Matters Walk, organized by the Tyendinaga Native Women’s Association.

Created by Campbell Monument, the monument includes the names of people affected by the residential school system. A QR code connects visitors with educational resources and local residential school history. Approximately 200 people participated in the walk.

Both initiatives provide opportunities to remember those affected by residential schools while encouraging public awareness, education, and continued work toward reconciliation.

See the monument here.