A fountain in St. Henri Park, Montreal, has ignited fresh dialogue regarding the portrayal of Indigenous peoples in public monuments and the city’s colonial history. Dr. Stanley Vollant, an Innu physician residing nearby, found the issue particularly poignant when his young daughter questioned the Indigenous figures adorning the monument. “My daughter asked me who those monsters were that are spitting out water,” he recounted. “I told her, it’s us. It is the faces of Indigenous people.”
A Monument of Controversy
While the fountain is currently non-operational, Vollant expressed that the carved Indigenous faces evoke a sense of colonial disdain, resembling gargoyles more than the dignified representations they ought to be. “I was ashamed. My daughter asked me, ‘Why do they put the faces of us? These ugly faces of us on this statue?’” he shared, highlighting the disconnection between the historical narrative and the lived experiences of Indigenous communities.
Erected in 1893, the monument features an inscription that commemorates Jacques Cartier’s claim of the land on behalf of the French Crown. “It states that he’s taking possession of this land in the name of his king,” Vollant pointed out, drawing attention to the fact that Indigenous peoples had inhabited the area for millennia before European settlers arrived.
Perspectives on Colonial Commemoration
Vollant views the fountain as a representation of colonial oppression, yet he is not advocating for its removal. “Because it’s a beautiful fountain,” he remarked, suggesting that it could serve as a point of reflection rather than a relic to be discarded.
Taika Baillargeon from Heritage Montreal noted that monuments celebrating conquest and domination were prevalent throughout the 19th century. “This was very typical, and sadly, we have a plethora of these types of structures in Montreal and across Canada,” she stated. The discourse surrounding public monuments and historical representation has gained traction as communities strive for reconciliation and acknowledgment of Indigenous histories.
“We talk about reconciliation, we talk about recognition, and how we’re going to show in our public spaces a new way of how we see history today,” Baillargeon added. “There’s always a tension between: do we erase or do we create new ways of making the dialogue possible?”
A Broader Context of Historical Reflection
This ongoing debate reflects larger conversations within Montreal about monuments linked to Canada’s colonial past, similar to the Sir John A. Macdonald statue at Place du Canada, which remains down since its toppling during a protest. While Vollant acknowledges the city’s efforts, such as incorporating an Indigenous symbol into Montreal’s flag and renaming Amherst Street to Atateken, he insists that significant work remains.
“And this statue maybe doesn’t show reconciliation at all,” he stated, reinforcing the notion that the path towards genuine understanding and representation is still fraught with challenges.
For Vollant, the fountain serves as a reminder that the discussions surrounding history, representation, and reconciliation are ongoing and far from resolved.
Why it Matters
The conversation surrounding the St. Henri Park fountain exemplifies a crucial turning point in how societies confront their historical narratives. By engaging with Indigenous perspectives, cities like Montreal have the opportunity to reshape public discourse and promote a more inclusive understanding of their past. This dialogue is essential not only for healing historical wounds but also for paving the way towards a future where Indigenous voices are recognised and respected in the fabric of public life.
