Indigenous tile artwork by Jackie Traverse to be featured at Kitchener indoor recreation complex

The City of Kitchener has commissioned a new piece of public art by renowned Indigenous artist Jackie Traverse for the aquatics centre at the Kitchener indoor recreation complex, now under construction at RBJ Schlegel Park.

Traverse’s mosaic, titled Gidinawendimin - an Anishinaabe word meaning “we are all related” - will span approximately 95 square metres and be made up of more than 200,000 vitreous glass tiles. It features four women interwoven with flowing lines of water, rendered in vibrant shades of blue with black and white accents. The work celebrates the deep cultural and spiritual relationship between women and water, and honours themes of kinship, resilience and connection.

Traverse, a member of Lake St. Martin First Nation, is known for her bold visual storytelling and work that uplifts Indigenous identity and matriarchal strength. She is represented by Highness Global Inc., which champions a roster of artists - including a dedicated division of Indigenous artists - and works in close collaboration to bring their visions to life through large-scale and impactful public artworks.

“This facility is about more than sport - it’s about building a sense of belonging,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Jackie Traverse’s artwork will add depth and meaning to the space, helping everyone who walks through our doors feel seen, connected and part of something bigger.”

Traverse’s design was selected by a jury of community members and unanimously endorsed by the City’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. It is expected to become a central feature of the facility.

“The beauty and depth of Gidinawendimin tells a story that will resonate with people of all ages,” the jury wrote in its endorsement. “The piece fits beautifully with the design of the aquatics centre and is a practical, durable and visually striking addition to the space.”

Traverse said the mosaic reflects traditional Anishinaabe teachings about the sacred nature of water and the leadership role of women in protecting it.

“Water, or nibi, is not simply a resource but a sacred, living spirit that sustains and connects all life,” said Traverse. “Anishinaabe women carry the water teachings and are entrusted with the duty to protect, care for, and speak on behalf of the water. Gidinawendimi celebrates the leadership of women and the ways their voices flow outward, like water, in protection of land, life, and spirit.”

This will be the second Indigenous public artwork commissioned by the City of Kitchener. The first, Wintertime Stories by Isaac Murdoch and Nyle Miigizi Johnston, was unveiled at Kitchener Public Library’s Southwest branch in April. That piece explores the power of intergenerational storytelling and our relationship to the land, and marked the first Indigenous artwork in the city’s public art collection.

The Kitchener indoor recreation complex is expected to open in 2026. It will offer year-round sport and recreation amenities for residents and visitors, including a FIFA-sized indoor turf field house, quad gymnasium, two indoor pools, elevated walking track, two cricket practice nets, and more.

The inclusion of Indigenous public art is part of the city’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, inclusion and representation through creative expression

Learn more about the Kitchener indoor recreation complex at Kitchener.ca/KIRC.

For more information:
Kristen Nyenhuis
Communications and Marketing Associate
City of Kitchener
media@kitchener.ca