A sacred fire space has been installed in Royal City Park.
The city of Guelph said installing the sacred fire is a way for them to honour the traditions of the Original Peoples who live in the city.
“We are honoured that members of the local First Nations, Metis, mixed ancestry and Inuit community trusted us to help bring their long-needed Sacred Fire to life,” said manager of parks operations and forestry with the City of Guelph, Martin Neumann in a news release.
“This sacred space acknowledges that Guelph is situated on treaty land, of which we are stewards, and honours our community’s unique history and culture.”
In order to reflect the Original Peoples of the land, representatives of the local First Nations, Métis, Inuit and mixed ncestry community designed the space and placed it in close proximity to the merging rivers which was a gathering spot for the Original Peoples.
Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island all share the importance of gathering in a circle for community and ceremonial purposes and use the Sacred Fire space for personal healing purposes, to express gratitude, prayers, celebration and spiritual gatherings.
Members of the Seven Generations Forward Circle said the project is a dream almost 30 years in the making.
“We are looking forward to sharing this sacred space with the Guelph community at specific times of the year,” said members of Seven Generations Forward Circle in a city press release.
