This summer, construction for a beautiful installation at Riverside Park in Carleton Place will begin, thanks to the Town’s approval for the funding required to build “The 4 Directions Stones”. The installation will honour the historical and existing presence of the Algonquin Nation along the banks of the Mississippi River. Historically, the river has been an important travel and trade route for the Algonquin people.
Under the guidance of the planning committee, the installation will be carried out by WRC Contracting, who also installed “The 7 Gifts” at Riverfront Park in Almonte. The committee is comprised of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous representation and has been in the planning and development stage for three years.
This impressive installation will consist of four pillar-styled arrangements of armour stone facing the four cardinal directions. The stones will be embellished with symbols and language pertaining to the Algonquin culture with a nod to the Mississippi River. Alongside the installation will be a plaque detailing the meaning behind the symbols on the stones. In addition to the stones, along the river’s edge a large plaque will detail the Mississippi’s historically significant place names, with a bench created by local woodworker Robert Manson as part of the installation. This powerful acknowledgement will serve to inspire and educate people visiting the park and attending cultural ceremonies.
The 4 Directions Stones planning committee is deeply grateful to the Town of Carleton Place for supporting this initiative. Follow the progress on the committee’s Facebook page @Mississippi River Gathering Place, or email 4directionscp@gmail.com for more information.
