In July 2026, sixteen girls and young people from The Esplanade came together through Jamii’s LAINI program to create a collaborative public mural at St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto. Guided by Toronto-based street artist Jieun Kim, participants took part in every stage of the two-week mural project, from learning and developing ideas to drawing, designing, spray painting and completing the final artwork.

The mural was inspired by the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee creation story of Skywoman and Turtle Island, as shared with the group through the retelling by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Participants reflected on the relationships between land, water, animals, food and community, then translated what they had learned into their own visual interpretations.

Their individual ideas were brought together into one shared design featuring Turtle Island, animals from the story and the Three Sisters: corn, beans and squash. Created for a busy public space where food, neighbourhood life and history meet, the mural invites people passing through St. Lawrence Market to slow down, look closely and reflect on the land beneath the city and our responsibility to care for it.

Artistic statement Participants

The creation of this mural was a two week process. During the first week, we worked on the design through conversations, artistic explorations, and learning about the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee creation story of Skywoman and Turtle Island. After we listened to the story, we each picked an animal from the story and drew it in our own way on paper, then recreated it on a larger scale using spray paint. We talked more about the story and the elements we wanted to feature, then each created our own design on canvas before bringing everything together into one final mural design. The second week was all about painting!

Our mural tells the story of Turtle Island and how it came to be. The turtle plays an important role, carrying the mountains, forests, earth, and flowers together. We painted a vast body of water where the turtle is floating. We painted the muskrat because it dove deep into the water to bring back the dirt that became Turtle Island. The muskrat is very important in this creation story because it sacrificed its life for Sky Woman, Turtle Island, and future generations.

The mural shows many of the animals from the story of Turtle Island. There are geese, swans, beavers, fish, sturgeon, and orcas. In the story, the orcas try to help find the dirt. The goose is a migratory bird, representing the many stories of migrations, and became a symbol for these lands. The sturgeon reminds us that even dangerous fish can live in harmony with other fish. The story shows that all animals can live together in peace and harmony, from the smallest fish to the largest, like the orcas.

It also shows Indigenous foods growing. We painted corn, squash, and beans, known as the Three Sisters in Haudenosaunee culture. They help each other grow, just like we helped each other create this mural.

This mural means a lot because it represents the creation story of Turtle Island, a story that everyone should know. It is a beautiful reminder of the history of this place, our responsibility to it today and acknowledges that even though the St. Lawrence Market has its own history, we must remember the life and land beneath it.  

Sixteen of us, with artist Jieun Kim, came together to create this mural, and we became one big family while doing something good for the community and making it more beautiful. Even though people are often rushing by, we hope they will slow down, take a closer look, take photos, and feel joy while admiring it. Somehow, this artwork reflects who we are. It was a true team effort, and we hope you love it as much as we are proud of it. 

Artistic Statement - Jieun Kim:

This mural, created for St. Lawrence Market, is inspired by the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee creation story of Skywoman and the origins of Turtle Island as (re)told by Robin Wall Kimmerer (member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation). Through this work, we honour one of the many Indigenous teachings that speak to the deep relationship between land, water, and all living beings. This year, our intention was to focus on the land we live on and to pay tribute to its original stewards. Sky Woman's journey reminds us that the earth is a gift sustained through cooperation, balance, and care. Her story offers a powerful reflection on interconnectedness and our shared responsibility to respect and protect the world around us.

CREDITS:

Lead Artist: Jieun Kim

Jamii Team: Isorine Marc, Iris Unlu, Yusra Yacout, Afnan Yakot, Morgan Tortolo

Participants - Design & Painting

Aéla, Celeste, Chloë, Daniela, Feras, Garesah, Isabelle, Jacqueline, Lisa, Louisa, Maryam, Santana, Shu, Somaya, Suhanna, Zélia