Pembroke is currently in the process of reviewing one of the 34 heritage murals in the city.
Concerns from residents and groups have caused city council review at the objectionable historical nature of the Indigenous imagery shown in the mural of “Marguerite d’Youville and Her Mission”.
The mural is located at the corner of Pembroke Street West and Church Street and was painted by Pierre Hardy in 1992.
Pembroke City Council will be engaging in conversations with local stakeholders, including leaders from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, the Pembroke Heritage Murals Committee, and the Pembroke Diversity Committee to make a decision and determine next steps.
Speaking on behalf of council, Pembroke Mayor Mike LeMay, stated it is crucial for us to be respectful
of the concerns raised regarding this particular mural and the symbols it represents in our efforts towards reconciliation.
On the City of Pembroke website a description of the mural reads as follows:
This mural painted in 1992 by Pierre Hardy celebrates the life and contributions of MARGUERITE d’YOUVILLE AND HER MISSION
Canada’s first native born saint founded the Grey Nuns community including the Pembroke order. For her many good deeds and two miracles she was beatified in 1959 and canonized in 1990.
Marguerite is shown on the right with some of the people she cared for, the elderly, sick children and wounded soldiers. At the time she opened her mission outside Montreal, there was a war between the French and the English. She would take in wounded soldiers from both sides and hide them from their enemies, in the mission.
You will notice a basket outside the mission wall. In the 1700’s many children were born into families who could not care for them or born to single women: some abandoned on the streets as newborns to die. Marguerite put the basket outside her mission for those babies. Hundreds of children were left at her door.
The left side of the mural shows the Grey Nuns of today, going off to missions around the world. The flag patches indicate where their orders are located around the world.
The mural features cornices with stained glass windows depicting important periods in her life. The cornices are on a photo cell and illuminated at night.
- The girl is holding Marguerite daisies, named after M. D’Youville – born 1701
- Marguerites face is illustrated from many written descriptions of her
- This is a reproduction of her Bible (with 5 crests) owned by the Montreal order.
- Each stained glass represents a period in her life as a nun
- Sponsors: Grey Sisters, Knights of Columbus, Diocese of Pembroke
Mural in Pembroke, Ontario of “MARGUERITE d’YOUVILLE AND HER MISSION”
Mural in Pembroke, Ontario of “MARGUERITE d’YOUVILLE AND HER MISSION”