- Hope and Healing Canada exhibit by Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers unveiled at Old Fort Erie
- Final installment of the speaker series 1776: Old Fort Erie in the Revolutionary Era featured Indigenous knowledge keeper Rick Hill
- For more information about Indigenous connections along the Niagara Parkway, visit niagaraparks.com/indigenous
Fort Erie, ON – In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, Niagara Parks has unveiled a new Indigenous art exhibit, Hope and Healing Canada, by Tracey-Mae Chambers at Old Fort Erie.
An event was held at Old Fort Erie on Saturday, June 27, to unveil the new exhibit with remarks from local dignitaries including Niagara Parks Commissioner Tom Insinna, Shannon Mitchell representing Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, Mayor of Fort Erie Wayne Redekop and Darryl MacMillan, President & CEO of the Tourism Partnership of Niagara. The event also featured an address by the artist, Tracey-Mae Chambers, and performances by the Strong Water Singers. After the unveiling, guests were welcomed to attend a speaker session with Indigenous knowledge keeper Rick Hill, the final installment of Niagara Parks’ 1776: Old Fort Erie in the Revolutionary Era series marking America250.
New Art Exhibit at Old Fort Erie
Created by Tracey-Mae Chambers and customized for Old Fort Erie, Hope and Healing Canada is a hand-crafted knit and crochet work which uses vibrant red yarn to symbolize history and hope, inviting reflection. The exhibit has travelled to more than 100 public institutions, including former residential school sites, museums, art galleries and government buildings, encouraging understanding and highlighting the strength of shared bonds. Funding for this installation is supported by the Tourism Partnership of Niagara. The outdoor installation will be on display at Old Fort Erie through to Labour Day, while the indoor exhibit will remain at Old Fort Erie as a legacy piece.
Tracey-Mae Chambers is a Métis artist and member of the Métis Nation of Ontario. In September 2024, she received the Governor General’s King Charles III Coronation Medal for her commitment to reconciliation through powerful, site-specific, decolonizing work.
1776: Old Fort Erie in the Revolutionary Era
Rick Hill “From “Merciless Indian Savages” to Treaty Allies”
Also on Saturday, June 27, Niagara Parks hosted the final installment of its 1776: Old Fort Erie in the Revolutionary Era speaker series featuring Indigenous knowledge keeper Rick Hill. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the five-part series featured a range of historians and educators, including Rick Hill and his session that explored how relationships with the Haudenosaunee people shifted throughout the American Revolution.
For more information about Indigenous connections along the Niagara Parkway, visit niagaraparks.com/indigenous.
Quotes
“As we recognize National Indigenous History Month, Niagara Parks is honoured to celebrate the enduring cultures, stories and artistic expressions of Indigenous people. This new exhibit by Tracey-Mae Chambers at Old Fort Erie invites visitors to reflect on the deep connections to this land and the voices that have shaped it for generations.” – Graham Coveney, Niagara Parks Chair
“National Indigenous History Month offers a reminder to recognize and celebrate the vital contributions of Indigenous peoples, whose traditions, art and culture enrich our shared history and deepen our collective understanding of this land. Visitors should not miss this meaningful new exhibit by Tracy-Mae Chambers while exploring Niagara Region.” – Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
“Tourism Partnership of Niagara is proud to support initiatives that celebrate Indigenous history, culture and contemporary voices through meaningful visitor experiences. The installation of Tracey-Mae Chambers’ Hope and Healing Canada exhibit at Old Fort Erie aligns with our commitment to advancing arts, culture and heritage tourism while fostering greater understanding, reflection, and reconciliation. By supporting projects such as this, we are helping to strengthen Niagara’s cultural tourism offering, enrich the visitor experience, and showcase the diverse stories that make our region a unique and compelling destination.” – Darryl MacMillan, President & CEO of Tourism Partnership of Niagara
Media assets are available here.
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