Relatives support Raphaël André tent
Raphaël Napa André was the indigenous man who died of cold here in January. Two weeks later, a tent warming shelter named for him was opened in Cabot Square, where many people of indigenous origin have tended to gather. On Friday, relatives of André gathered at the square to remember him, and to press for a permanent shelter there for itinerants.
The seated man in the photo is holding an image of the Five Row Wampum Hiawatha belt, an old symbol of peace among the indigenous nations in this area.
There are rallies and vigils planned for Canada Day next week, including a march starting at 2 pm in Jeanne-Mance Park on Canada Day itself, next Thursday.
Nick 18:46 on 2021-06-26 Permalink
That’s a Hiawatha belt or 5 nations flag/symbol. Never heard it called 5 row before. Pretty sure it’s incorrect.
Kate 21:13 on 2021-06-26 Permalink
Thank you.
JaneyB 09:14 on 2021-06-28 Permalink
You were probably thinking of the ‘Two Row Wampum Treaty’ – the symbol of peace between First Nations and settlers. Photo here: https://www.onondaganation.org/culture/wampum/two-row-wampum-belt-guswenta/
Kate 09:33 on 2021-06-28 Permalink
Maybe. It does come up if you search Google for “five row wampum” but I may have conflated the two.
I have to admit, I always sort of thought Hiawatha was a 19th-century fictional character, too.