Less than 10 minutes from the town of Midland is Penetanguishene (Penetang in short). There is a lot to do and see in Penetang, but today we opted to check the Penetanguishene Rotary Champlain Wendat Park. We enjoyed the walkway and learned new facts through the 7 bronze sculptures of significant people in Ontario and Canadian history.
Bronze sculpture of Fr. Laboureau. 
Bronze sculpture of Fr. Athol Murray.
Behind us is The Metis sculpture.
Prior to Canada becoming a nation, a new Aboriginal people emerged out of the relations of Native women and European men. The initial offspring of these unions were individuals of mixed ancestry who resulted in the beginning of a new Aboriginal people with a distinct identity and culture in west central North America – the Métis Nation. These Métis people were connected through the fur trade network, extensive kinship and a collective identity. In Ontario, historic Métis settlements emerged along the rivers and watersheds of the province, surrounding the Great Lakes and throughout to the northwest of the province. One of these settlements was a vibrant community in Huronia. In fact, Métis were among the region’s earliest settlers to Penetanguishene with the Drummond Island Migration of 1828 to 1829. (From Timothy Schmalz website).
Timothy Schmalz’s Meeting Statue.
The Meeting statue is a celebration of two people, two faiths and two distinct cultures coming together 400 years ago. In 1615, Chief Aenon of the Huron Wendat presents the Wampum belt, a symbolic gesture of friendship and alliance to welcome Samuel de Champlain and the French people to their land. Beneath the two figures are sculpted symbols from both cultures. Under the Chief the artist highlights the belief held by the Huron Wendat that the world is a large turtle. On this turtle live their people. Also represented are the three Sisters, the spiritual providers of what sustains their people, sister corn, sister bean and sister squash. Beneath Champlain lie the symbol of the French, emerging from their ship, the ancient symbol of the Fluer de lis. Also included are the Christian symbols of God, represented in three parts, the Father by the hand, the son Jesus by the fish, and the Holy Spirit, the dove. A ribbon of Maple leaves continually flows throughout the sculpture, symbolic of our shared nation and the Huron Wendat belief that all meetings never end. The Meeting statue is symbolic in itself of the two cultures embracing on the shores of Georgian Bay and their woven history to the area. The artist captured the 400 years of history by using 400 leaves throughout the piece. (From Timothy Schmalz website).
St. Ann’s Church as seen from the park. 
We ended this short Penetang day trip with some quick food at the World Famous Dock Lunch while enjoying the harbour view.
Penetanguishene, Ontario -July 13, 2018
