public forms of memory in Toronto.
About this Event
Edward VII is splattered with pink paint, a statue of Egerton Ryerson loses his head, and mysterious black plaques appear around the city, telling on the enslaving pasts of some of Toronto’s most famous names.
This tour looks at a half century of artist-led engagements with, and creative resistance to, public forms of memory in Toronto. From painting statues, to floating them down the Don River, to celebrating Indigenous languages and presence in the urban environment, participants will hear how these artistic interventions represent significant forms of cultural production, storytelling, and acts of care for all people who call this Land home.
This tour will be led by Andrew Lochhead. Andrew is a multidisciplinary artist and PhD Candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University. His dissertation project focuses on the role of walking in telling stories about the often complex and contested relationships that are celebrated and obscured by Toronto’s street names––particularly as they relate to systemic and structural racism, injustice, and ongoing colonial violence. Andrew’s research and advocacy work around public memory practices have been featured in a number of documentary films including CityTV’s "What’s in a Name?" and BBC Scotland’s "Scotland, Slavery, and Statues".
Start Point: Winston Churchill Statue at Toronto City Hall (Northwest Corner of Nathan Phillips Square, South of Chestnut and Armoury Sts.)
Our staff and volunteers will be at the tour's starting location 30 minutes prior to each tour. Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the tour to allow time for check in.
End Point: Equestrian Statue of Edward VII at Queen’s Park (In Queen’s Park, North Side of Wellesley near Queen’s Park Crescent West)
Length of Tour: Approximately 90 minutes
Distance and Terrain: This tour is approximately 2.8 kilometers in distance and takes place predominantly on paved city sidewalks and streets. There are some unpaved portions of the route that take place in city parks.
Content Advisory: This tour will in part address topics such as Residential "schools," racism, colonialism, enslavement, police violence, and death which may be upsetting for some participants. Please bear this in mind if you are planning to attend. If you or a loved one is experiencing distress related to these subject matter, or are in crisis for any reason, you may reach out 24h/day 7 days a week to the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 (Residential School Survivors and their families), the Toronto Distress Centre at 416-408-HELP (4357), or simply dial 211 to be connected to additional mental health supports and services.
Registration is required for all tours. Please note: you will not be able to join a tour group if you have not registered ahead of time.
This tour uses individual audio headsets. All registered participants will be provided with an individual headset that will allow you to hear the tour guide throughout the tour.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Canada
CAD 0.00 to CAD 8.00