Giant Whitefish Sculpture to Grace Downtown Sault Ste. Marie

The 500-meter installation will celebrate Anishinaabe culture and values

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:39am

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A vibrant, abstract silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a stylized whitefish sculpture in bright neon colors, capturing the celebratory spirit and cultural essence of this new public art piece.A bold, colorful public art installation celebrates the cultural significance of the whitefish and the Anishinaabe teachings it represents in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.Sault Ste. Marie Today

The city of Sault Ste. Marie has approved a $125,000 contract with Anishinaabe artist Kathryn Corbiere to install a large stainless steel whitefish sculpture in the downtown March Street Stage area. The sculpture will feature seven curved arcs representing the Seven Grandfather Teachings and will be adorned with etchings of Anishinaabe dodems (clan symbols). The project is part of a Friendship Accord between the city and Garden River First Nation to restore Indigenous presence and foster reconciliation through public art.

Why it matters

This public art installation is an important step in the reconciliation process, as it will share authentic Anishinaabe stories, honor Indigenous voices, and create a welcoming gathering space for the urban Indigenous population in Sault Ste. Marie's downtown core. The sculpture's design and placement aim to invite community engagement and reflection on the region's history and cultural teachings.

The details

The March Street stage will be largely removed to accommodate the large whitefish sculpture, but a small podium will be retained. The sculpture will be fabricated by Kathryn Corbiere, an Anishinaabe artist known for her plasma cutting and custom fabrication work. The seven curved arcs of stainless steel will be adorned with etchings of Anishinaabe dodems (clan symbols) created by artist Ray Fox. Granite boulders from the Cambrian Shield will be placed around the sculpture to invite people to sit, reflect, and gather.

  • The city council approved the $125,000 contract with Kathryn Corbiere this week.
  • The sculpture is expected to be installed in the downtown March Street Stage area.

The players

Kathryn Corbiere

An Anishinaabe artist specializing in plasma cutting and custom fabrication, known for her work with Garden River First Nation and other clients.

Ray Fox

An Anishinaabe artist who created the original drawings of dodems (clan symbols) that will be etched onto the sculpture.

Garden River First Nation

The Indigenous community that has an established relationship with Kathryn Corbiere and is collaborating with the city on this public art project.

Sault Ste. Marie City Council

The governing body that approved the contract for the whitefish sculpture installation as part of the city's Friendship Accord with Garden River First Nation.

Darrell Boissoneau

A community member who provided input on creating a welcoming gathering space in the downtown core for the urban Indigenous population.

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What they’re saying

“When Anishinaabe artists come through, it's not necessarily that they're going to follow a direct drawing of what comes. It's a vision. It's emotion and time. It's feeling. And it really comes from spirit.”

— Kaitlyn Neveu, Indigenous Policy and Process Renewal Advisor

“The revealing of it will be what really brings the spirit of the situation to life.”

— Kaitlyn Neveu, Indigenous Policy and Process Renewal Advisor

What’s next

The sculpture is expected to be installed in the downtown March Street Stage area in the coming months.

The takeaway

This public art project represents an important step in the reconciliation process, as it will restore Indigenous presence, share authentic Anishinaabe stories, and create a welcoming gathering space for the urban Indigenous community in Sault Ste. Marie's downtown core.