Thunderhead is located in Ottawa, along the Kichi Sibi, or Ottawa River. Find it at 201 Wellington Street, by Portage Bridge.
It is an honour to have this monument live on unceded and traditional Anishinabe Algonquin Nation territory.
Location
201 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Map:
Thunderhead
Two-Spirit healing circle
Medicinal garden
Orchard
Tribute circle with sugar maple
Journeys wall
The Thunderhead monument recognizes historic discrimination faced by generations of 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada.
Mission
The Thunderhead monument recognizes historic discrimination faced by generations of 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada. It reflects the strength, activism and hope of queer and trans communities. It also stands to demand the change still needed in this country, so that everyone can openly love who they love and express and identify themselves as they choose.
Design
A thunderhead is a dynamic cloud of unstoppable energy. In Anishinabe teachings, thunderclouds are home to the Thunderers whose storms renew the land and make things right.
On this site, a massive column is being broken apart by a thunderhead cloud inside, just as 2SLGBTQI+ communities have risen up to break barriers and demand justice and equality. Inside, thousands of mirrored tiles reflect diverse identities and hold the memory of queer lives that ended too soon.
Also, in this place, a sugar maple grows for those who served this country. A healing circle and medicinal garden make space for Indigiqueer journeys. And a fruit orchard reclaims the language of oppression and highlights the beauty and joy of queer communities.
This monument was designed by Public City Architecture with Elder Albert McLeod and artists Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan.
