Toronto School Unveils Inuit Stained Glass to Foster Reconciliation

A newly installed stained-glass window at Toronto’s Bishop Strachan School offers students a unique insight into Inuit culture and serves as a memorial for alumna Grace Peebles. The window, designed by Inuk artist Ningiukulu Teevee, features the Inuit legend “The Owl and the Raven,” contributing to the school’s commitment to truth and reconciliation in Canada.

The chapel’s stained-glass windows typically showcase warm reds and yellows, but Teevee’s creation stands out with its striking blue hues. Head of School Angela Terpstra expressed her awe, stating, “It took my breath away.” The new installation refracts light into rainbows across the chapel, enhancing the spiritual ambiance of the space.

Commissioned in memory of Peebles, who passed away in 2021, the project was entirely donor-funded, costing approximately $100,000. Terpstra explained that the initiative began as a response to a tragic event, transforming grief into a means of education and reflection. Peebles cherished the chapel as a space for meditation, and the school sought to create a lasting tribute that would also educate students about Indigenous cultures.

Connecting Students to Cultural Narratives

The choice of legend reflects the school’s desire to broaden students’ understanding of Canadian history. Terpstra emphasized the importance of storytelling, aiming for even the youngest students to grasp the themes of friendship and reciprocity depicted in the window. She noted that the design also serves to remind students that different cultures interpret narratives in diverse ways.

Students are encouraged to read the window from the bottom left, moving across the center, rather than in the typical Western left-to-right fashion. This approach invites contemplation and discussion about cultural perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous narratives.

According to Sue Obata, the stained-glass artist who painted the window, incorporating Inuit imagery into a traditional chapel setting helps to ground the concept of reconciliation in everyday life. She stated, “Respect for people who are different” is essential, emphasizing that appreciation for diverse cultures can lead to greater understanding and respect.

Technical Challenges and Artistic Vision

The project began with sketches from Teevee, which were adapted into stained-glass layouts by Norbert Sattler of Sattler’s Stained Glass Studio Ltd. in Nova Scotia. Obata faced the challenge of maintaining Teevee’s graphic, two-dimensional linework while avoiding the three-dimensional modeling commonly found in European ecclesiastical stained glass.

The use of blue in the window, a color traditionally associated with sacredness in church glass, adds to the contemplative nature of the chapel and complements the motifs of sky and water depicted in the imagery, including whales, a narwhal, and a descending owl.

Terpstra, who concludes her tenure at the all-girls school in July after 20 years, believes the window is a significant addition to the school’s legacy. Founded in 1867, the same year as Canadian Confederation, the school carries a historical obligation to engage with issues surrounding truth and reconciliation. The window now serves as a permanent reminder for students to reflect on their own perspectives and responsibilities in this ongoing dialogue.

By integrating Inuit art into their environment, Bishop Strachan School aims to create a more inclusive and culturally aware community, encouraging students to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of Canada’s diverse heritage.