The War Memorial Statue at St. Catharines City Hall: A Symbol of Pain or a Step Towards Reconciliation?

As I walked through the front lawn of St. Catharines City Hall, I couldn’t help but notice the 15-foot statue that has stood tall for over a century. The statue of Pte. Alexander Watson, a soldier who died fighting with government forces during the North-West Rebellion in 1885, has been a topic of controversy for years. Recently, city councillors voted in favour of removing the statue, citing that it causes pain to members of the community. But is removing the statue a step towards reconciliation, or is it erasing history?

The front lawn of St. Catharines City Hall, where the statue of Pte. Alexander Watson has stood for over a century.

For many, the statue represents a painful chapter in Canadian history, one that symbolizes the federal government’s crushing of Indigenous Peoples in battle. As Mayor Mat Siscoe put it, “The battle this statue stands in memorial of represents a government subjugating a race of people who were standing up for their rights.” The statue’s presence has been a trigger for many, including Jessica Riel-Johns, co-executive director of the Niagara Regional Native Centre, who pleaded with councillors to remove the monument.

A protest against the statue, highlighting the pain it causes to Indigenous Peoples.

However, not everyone agrees that removing the statue is the right decision. Dan McKnight, a delegate who did a thesis on the city’s historical geography, argued that the statue has historical significance, being the first memorial to a Canadian soldier ever erected. He insisted that it’s not just significant locally or provincially, but nationally significant.

A Canadian soldier, symbolizing the country’s rich military history.

As I reflect on the controversy surrounding the statue, I’m reminded of the importance of acknowledging our past, even if it’s painful. Removing the statue is not erasing history, but rather, it’s a step towards reconciling with it. As Sean Vanderklis, president director of the Niagara Regional Native Centre, said, “The removal of the statue is not an erasure of history. It’s a way to acknowledge the suffering and injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples.”

A symbol of reconciliation, highlighting the importance of acknowledging our past.

The city’s cultural services estimates the cost of removal and relocation to be around $60,000, which will be financed through the city’s Civic Project Fund. City staff will now explore mechanisms to remove the statue, which has been “plaster-sized” with stucco in the early 1970s to keep it from falling apart.

As the statue is set to be removed, I’m left wondering what will take its place. Will it be a symbol of unity and healing, or will it be a reminder of the pain and division that the statue represents? One thing is certain – the removal of the statue is a step towards reconciliation, and it’s a step in the right direction.

A symbol of unity, highlighting the importance of coming together.