Monuments In Confederation Park

 Confederation Park is a short walk away from Parliament Hill, occupying a block of land. Several military monuments are to be found here, along with this totem pole, seen on a cold clear day after the beginning of spring. The National Arts Centre looms in the background.

This fountain is one of the monuments, cordoned off over the winter. It's dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel John By, the British military engineer who oversaw the building of the Rideau Canal and who has been deemed the founder of Ottawa. 

A short walk away, this plaque is mounted to a slab of rock, honouring Canadian airmen of the Second World War who lost their lives in operations over Poland.

The oldest and the newest monuments of the park are together.

This cenotaph honours local soldiers who served and died in the South African War.

The Animals In War Memorial is dedicated to animals that have served in war, with plaques alongside a life sized statue of a military service dog. Less easily seen are tracks in the pavement- horseshoes and dog prints.

I wasn't able to take a picture, but there was a passerby with a German shepherd who took a photograph of his dog standing face to face with this fellow.

The last of the monuments in the park is the biggest. This is the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. Designed by indigenous artist Lloyd Pinay, it pays tribute to all indigenous veterans of the country. On the granite block are four warriors back to back, four animals around them- the bear, the wolf, the elk, and the bison- and an eagle at the top. I find that the monument is best photographed in morning.