TORONTO, Nov. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UFCW Canada and Moccasin Identifier have unveiled a new mural by Anishnawbe artist Philip Cote, Return of the Sacred. This work was commissioned by UFCW Canada in partnership with Moccasin Identifier as part of the union's ongoing commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous advocacy and treaty recognition. The mural will become a permanent installation at UFCW headquarters in Canada.
The first week of November marks Treaty Recognition Week in Ontario. This legislation, passed in 2016, emphasizes the importance of Treaty awareness and education in the province.
To mark Treaty Recognition Week, the UFCW Canadian First Nations Committee, union leadership and representatives from Moccasin Identifier gathered at union headquarters to honor the mural and learn about the project. Return of the Sacredcreated by artist Philip Cote with support from the UFCW Indigenous Peoples' Committee of Canada.
Artist Philip Coate, MFA of Moose Deer Point First Nation, is a Young Spiritual Elder, Indigenous artist, activist, educator, historian and ancestral knowledge keeper, and a graduate of OCAD University's Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design MA program.
“When we think about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it's really about revitalizing our culture. Revitalizing our culture is about telling these ancient stories again. Indigenous people and settlers, we're all on this journey together,” says Philip Coate, an artist. “The eighth fire tells us that we are merging. This means that we are destined to become closer as a family. These changes that are taking place are for everyone because we are rewriting the past and there will be a lot of healing at this time. We are all on this path of healing, this time of the Spirit. We are all on the heart road, the road between the physical and spiritual world.”
The mural is a collaboration between UFCW Canada and Moccasin Identifier, an Indigenous initiative aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the treaties and history of Indigenous peoples across Canada.
“For me, it's about telling our story. And so many people don't understand whose land they live on. [This is a] The education tool will help people understand who we are, where we are and why,” says Carolyn King, founder of Moccasin Identifier. “And I think the markers and the ID answer those questions for people who maybe haven't even thought about it, for people who don't realize that we were there and we're still here, so we can tell our story.”
“Collaborating with Moccasin Identifier, an Indigenous organization, to create a mural dedicated to honoring treaty promises and truth and reconciliation demonstrates that we can all do this together,” says Eric Flett, Resident Elder, UFCW Canada. “Indigenous peoples, non-Indigenous peoples and allies can show that reconciliation can be achieved in a good way.”
“This mural will stand the test of time and will be a message to everyone who walks through these doors,” UFCW National President Shawn Haggerty said in a speech to the crowd. “This mural serves as a constant reminder of our union’s commitment to the spirit of reconciliation and a symbol to encourage reflection and debate about where we come from and where we are going as a country.”
About the Moccasin ID
Founded by Caroline King in partnership with Mississaugas of Credit First Nation and The Greenbelt Foundation, Moccasin Identifier is an Indigenous-led initiative aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of treaties and the history of Indigenous peoples across Canada. Our mission is to blanket Canada in moccasins, creating visual and educational reminders of the meaning of treaties and Indigenous peoples' relationship with the land.
About UFCW Canada
As Canada's leading retail and food workers' union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Canada) represents more than 250,000 workers across the country in retail and food processing, agriculture, health, safety and hospitality, and other sectors of the economy. UFCW Canada is the country's most innovative union committed to equity in the workplace and in society.
