A mural of Marguerite d’Youville and Her Mission in Pembroke will stay.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised about the objectionable historical nature of the Indigenous imagery shown in the mural at the corner of Church Street and Pembroke Street West.
Pembroke Mayor Mike LeMay spoke to representatives with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and says the Indigenous community wants the mural removed.
However, in a 4-3 recorded vote, Pembroke City Council decided to keep the mural.
Those in favour of removing the mural were Mayor Mike LeMay, Councillor Andrew Plummer and Councillor Christine Reavie.
Those who wanted the mural to stay were Deputy Mayor Ron Gervais, Councillor Brian Abdallah, Councillor Ed Jacyno and Councillor Patricia Lafreniere.
Members of council who were not in favour of removing the mural commented on the fact that they would be removing a piece of history and added that Marguerite d’Youville died before the residential school system started in Canada, founded what is now the Pembroke Regional Hospital and is responsible for Marianhill long-term care home.
Information provided to council from city staff showed d’Youville founded the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, also known as Grey Nuns, who ended up working in 14 residential schools, however the Grey Sisters of Immaculate Conception chapter in Pembroke was not involved in the residential school system.
While Pembroke council couldn’t agree on whether to keep or remove the mural, everyone supported a motion presented by the Mayor to create a new Indigenous Heritage Mural in partnership with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and Pembroke heritage murals committee.
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Pembroke reviewing mural of “Marguerite d’Youville and Her Mission”
