Œuvres des artistes MC Snow et Kyra Revenko

Our ways: Peel Trail

Last updated July 2, 2024
Reading time: 2 min
Related to

This urban trail is composed of bronze sculptures in honour of Iroquoian peoples and newcomers to the island of Montréal. The sculptures are an invitation to reflect on and bring together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures. Come and see them from the Lachine Canal to Mount Royal.

An audio and visual experience

The trail, called “Tsi niion kwarihò:ten” in Kanien’kehá:ka (the Mohawk language) provides a brief look into the island’s history since the arrival of the Europeans. You can listen to its accompanying podcast offered in English and French, via the free Portrait Sonore application available on Google Play and the App Store.

Ville de Montréal
The trail is made up of 21 bronze sculptures
  • Des sculptures inspirées de la cérémonie Les mots avant tous les autres
  • Sculpture de bronze dont le thème est Vie aquatique.
  • Parcours Peel : un dialogue entre peuples autochtones et allochtones
  • Panneau explicatif du parcours
  • Deux sculptures de bronze placées une en face de l'autre pour laisser place au dialogue

Peel trail

Parcours Peel
Ville de Montréal

The trail extends along the length from Rue Smith in the south, to Mount Royal Park in the north, includes:

  • 11 thematic stations
  • 2 bronze sculptures per station

See detailed trail.

Sculptures inspired by the Words Before All Else ceremony

The trail offers a dialogue between the work of two artists, one Kanien’kehá:ka, MC Snow, and the other non-indigenous, Kyra Revenko. The themes are inspired by the Kanien’kehá:ka ceremony of thanks, Words Before All Else. This ceremony is performed by an Elder to start important meetings.

Archaeological discoveries were the impetus for creating the trail

Between 2016 and 2019, archaeological excavations in the Rue Peel and Rue Sherbrooke area uncovered remnants of an Iroquoian village dating from the 14th century. This important discovery was the inspiration for the trail. Cast iron tree guards along the street reproduce a motif found on pottery that was discovered during the excavations.

A co-creation project

The trail was the result of a co-creation project carried out with the Kahnawà:ke band council, members of the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk community, urban design professionals, archaeologists and city representatives.

The project was made possible thanks to the following partners:

  • Artists MC Snow and Kyra Revenko (artwork design and sculpture)
  • Civiliti and FNX-Innov (urban design)
  • Générique Design (industrial design)
  • Ethnoscop (archaeological support)
  • Atelier du Bronze foundry
  • Portrait Sonore and Yändata’ (podcast)

Learn more about how the trail was designed:

Quick search