A Scout

Here at the top of the Point, we have a new platform, which one can go onto. And one can sit at its base, and take in the views of the mighty river.

Eastward, the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge spans the river.

The next symbol is the bear, another integral part of the lives of the Anishinaabe.

The path continued.

The moose is known to live in this area, and well known to the indigenous peoples of the region.

When the Point was redeveloped, the presence of two statues and their return was meant to be part of that. This is one of them, an Anishinaabe scout, now looking to the northeast. We'll get a look at his counterpart tomorrow; the two statues once stood together, but having them apart works better, as now the scout stands out on his own, and is not in a subservient position.

These two boulders stand nearby- I suspect the markings are recent, and by an artist, given their proximity to the Gallery.

The Path

I was quite pleased with the way Kiweki Point has turned out. It was a process of several years in the redesign, which included the removal of amphitheater seating and the reconfiguring of the top of the point, but it was worth it.

The next subject is the walleye, a resident of the Ottawa River.

The river otter is known to these waters and the area at large, and an integral part of indigenous culture.

I photographed the view of where I'd come from.

And then ahead again.

The object down in the river is a barge, placed there temporarily at the time. From late July into the first half of August on two nights of the week, fireworks are set off from there in an international competition.

Next we have the gray jay, the wisakedjak in Algonquin, also called the whiskey jack, a bird that has a reputation as a trickster.

The Thunder Bird is a spiritual being in Algonquin cultures.

A look from here into Gatineau, over the Alexandra Bridge below.

Kiweki Point

A note to members of City Daily Photo- the theme for September 1st is Vanishing Point. 

After leaving the Supreme Court, I made my way in the direction of Major's Hill Park to take shots for a post that appears in January. While here, I decided to head across to Kiweki Point, since it was so close by. It meant crossing the Pidaban Bridge, which links Major's Hill to the parkland behind the National Gallery of Canada.

This is a footbridge, crossing the roadway below and providing splendid views as it curves towards Kiweki Point. Pidaban means dawn in Algonquin, while Kiweki means returning to one's homeland. The Point, previously named Nepean Point, is a high overlook of the Ottawa River, and the parkland has been redone in the last few years and opened up again earlier this year, with the bridge as an addition. This was the first time I was here since before the project was undertaken.

Views include both sides of the Ottawa River, and landmarks like Parliament Hill, the Supreme Court, and the Museum of History.

Glimpsed below and above, the walls and columns include indigenous art.

This sculpture is a mainstay of the National Gallery.

The path beckoned on, a gentle slope. The landscaping is very well done, a mix of trees, grasses, flowers, and places to sit and take in the views. All in all, the redesign was a success.

Signage is along the path, in English, French, and Anishinaabe. The narration takes the voice of the Ottawa River itself, and its connections to the land.

The first of the displays is about the beaver and its ties to the indigenous peoples. These are accompanied by a small sculpture or two.

We'll pick up here tomorrow.

A Final Appeal

 The interior hall of the Supreme Court is a work of art in its own right.

The pattern in the marble of the staircase drew my eye.

As did the roof.

This display case contained various documents from Supreme Court history.

The building contains offices and libraries for the justices and their staff, as well as two other courtrooms on this level- a federal court and a federal court of appeals. We were in the first one with our guide, an informative young woman who spoke about the independence of the judiciary, the differences between the federal level and the provincial/ territorial level of courts, and what might bring a case before the Supreme Court. Usually it's of a compelling nature concerning the country as a whole, as opposed to a dispute between two neighbours.

Upstairs, and the actual Supreme Court. It is a beautiful room.

The Court hears cases in English and French, and livestreams their proceedings. Due to the dual nature of the country's legal system, with roots in British common law and French civil law, this Court is unique in another respect- it is bijural. Members of the public can come to see hearings as well, though you're not likely to see testimony in the same way that you would in a regular trial. This place is more about questions of the law itself.

Back out, and looking into the main interior hall from above. What a place this is.

Coming outside, we get a look at Walter Allward's Justice, with Parliament Hill off in the background.

One last look.