TTC customers who pick up a copy of the TTC Ride Guide this summer may notice a special illustration on the cover (in the pic above, credits TTC). In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, the cover features artwork from Nipissing-born, Toronto-based Anishinaabe artist: Manitou Nemeen (Que Rock) and depicts the teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel.
“The Medicine Wheel is a tool that is used to help yourself understand balance, to create balance, and to heal yourself. All First Nations have a version of the medicine wheel”, says Manitou Nemeen (in the pic below, taken from artist’s Facebook profile), in the TTC press release (June 11). “When I was asked to create the cover, my intention was to share a tool from my culture that has been very useful to me and it’s a great introduction to the Anishinaabe way of life.”
The indigenous artist explains that “the medicine wheel is not only a compass physically but a moral compass that allows us to find peace, harmony, and enlightenment by creating balance not only in our environments but within our own natures. To the Anishinaabe people this is called circular thinking.”
TTC Chair Jaye Robinson recognizes that Que Rock’s work serves as “a starting point to recognize and celebrate the diversity that makes our city great – a critical step in creating a more inclusive community, not just at the TTC but throughout Toronto”.
The TTC’s Chief Executive Officer points out that the cover of the Ride Guide is seen by everyone in Toronto and GTHA, and that’s very positive. “By featuring the work of an Indigenous artist on the cover, we aim to reinforce the inclusivity and diversity that this city is known for, as well as recognize the rich history and traditions of the First Nations,” underlines Rick Leary.
This year, the TTC will print approximately one million Ride Guides. TTC Ride Guides come in two formats, a Ride Guide “Lite”, which is available on all buses, streetcars and subway trains, and a more comprehensive Ride Guide, which is available at all subway stations. Both versions feature Que Rock’s cover art. Additionally, the cover can be purchased as a poster from the TTC online store at ttcshop.ca.
During the month of June, the TTC is honouring the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) through an Indigenous History Month awareness campaign. At the same time, other initiatives are taking place including printed posters that highlight eight locations that are significant to the traditions and historical and present-day influence of Indigenous peoples, digital/web messages, and social media posts.