TTC celebrates National Indigenous History Month by showcasing Indigenous art

Indigenous artists and art are at the forefront of the TTC’s National Indigenous History Month campaign this year, with the work of 10 Indigenous artists prominently featured across the system. Starting today, June 21, and continuing until Sept. 30, customers will see the designs on eight wrapped buses, two wrapped streetcars, and as print advertisements in vehicles and stations. The wrapped vehicles will operate along a number of routes throughout the city. In addition, each artist is being profiled on the TTC’s social media channels and website beginning today, National Indigenous Peoples Day.

"I want to thank the TTC for launching this campaign for National Indigenous History Month and for their partnership in helping us continue to build an inclusive and diverse city. This is a great initiative that not only showcases talented artists in our city but helps us create conversations around this important month.  I encourage residents to explore the campaign, to support these talented artists and to learn more about the importance of Indigenous culture and history within our city,” said Mayor John Tory.

“The TTC Board remains committed to prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and ensuring that all of our riders and employees feel welcome on transit," said TTC Chair Jaye Robinson. “We’re proud to help place a spotlight on Indigenous arts and culture, and we hope that customers will use this opportunity to learn more about the artists behind the work they see on the TTC this summer.”

“This June, the TTC is pleased to help highlight these amazing artists, and explore how their creativity has contributed to the vibrancy of our city,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “Recognizing National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the work we’re doing to build a more equitable organization, and a more inclusive transit system.”

The artists being featured in this campaign are Ashley Cattrysse, David General, Dayle Hawkins, Ken Maracle, Nishina Loft, Paula Gonzalez-Ossa with Na-Me-Res-Sagatay, Philip Cote, Que Rock, Steve Haven, and Thomas Anderson. Additional information on the artists can be found at https://www.ttc.ca/about-the-ttc/Making-TTC-a-Diverse-and-Inclusive-Organization/Indigenous-Heritage-Month.

To honour the rich history of Indigenous Peoples, the TTC consulted with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations of the Grand River) to ensure that First Nations and their communities were fully engaged in the process.

“By celebrating diverse communities and cultures, we hope to reinforce the message that everyone belongs here,” said TTC's Chief Diversity & Culture Officer, Keisha Campbell. “This is the second year that the TTC is recognizing National Indigenous History Month externally and internally, and we will continue to work with our Indigenous partners to highlight their rich culture throughout the year.” 

The TTC is also observing National Indigenous History Month internally, by featuring the experiences of Indigenous employees throughout the month, using videos and posters. The campaign will run on all internal communication channels in every work location throughout the month of June.

The City of Toronto is currently celebrating ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-2022, which supports Toronto’s public art and the artists behind it. One of the objectives of ArtworxTO is to have all Toronto communities reflected in public art by supporting diversity, along with ensuring that everyone has the ability to access and interface with it.