Opened in Entwined Trees Park in 2015, the
Gateway (Stekthal) Learning Circle was first proposed by the artist in September of 2014. In June of 2015 installation of the
Gateway (Stekthal) Learning Circle commenced, the Unveiling and Blessing Ceremony of the
Gateway (Stekthal) Learning Circle not taking place until July 13, 2017. The Gateway was created by renowned native artist David Seven Deers of Greenwood, BC. It consists of twenty stone seating blocks, each with an animal motif carved into its top. Each block appears to consist of pure white quartz, a type of stone somewhat common in the area, but seldom of such fine quality.
Below is a 2015 news article covering the beginning of the Gateway's installation on Monday, June 1, 2015, published Thursday, June 4, 2015.
One enters the
Gateway Learning Circle under a Stonehenge-like structure at least eight feet in height then passes a polished andesite sculpture of a raven, entitled
Heelah – Mother Raven. Mother Raven, herself about 2½ to 3 feet in height, stands upon an irregular, multi sided stone plinth about 2 feet in height. Mother Raven and the plinth upon which she stands are a single piece, carved from a 4½ to 5 foot tall piece of andesite. The gateway is comprised of three rectangular pieces of andesite, each weighing more than three tons. The stone seating is arrayed in a circle, with the entrance structure at its head and
Heelah – Mother Raven just inside.
The
Gateway Learning Circle is fashioned after the traditional native
Talking Circle, a very old way of bringing native people of all ages together in a quiet, respectful manner for the purposes of teaching, listening, learning and sharing. A very effective way to remove barriers and to allow people to express themselves with complete freedom, it is becoming more and more popular in mainstream society.
Gateway project finds its home
Accompanying the gateway will be a raven carving, also made from andesite, but highly polished to make it black.
Andrew Tripp | Jun. 4, 2015
Internationally acclaimed First Nations artist David Seven Deers began installation of his Gateway project in Midway last Monday.
Erected in the Entwined Tree Park adjacent to the high school, the installation comprises three rectangular pieces of andesite, each weighing more than three tons, arranged in the shape of a gateway. The two vertical columns were raised on Monday, and a crossbeam is slated to be placed atop the columns in the coming days.
Accompanying the gateway will be a raven carving, also made from andesite, but highly polished to make it black.
There will be a blessing ceremony on Thursday, June 11, followed by various First Nations stories, entertainment and a traditional feast.
Seven Deers designed the project as a permanent talking circle with a raven, that is aboriginal in its theme, its teaching and the learning style. His hope is that schools from the entire Boundary will use the park as an outdoor learning destination.
The task of placing the columns was a daunting one, taking a heavy-duty crane and several volunteers to guide them into place. Shims were then employed to level the pieces and allow them to stand unsupported. Watch for another report on this impressive project in next week’s issue.
From the Grand Forks Gazette