Beaver Bowl

East side of the Building on the Stairs

"The Beaver Bowl pattern from the Dish with One Spoon wampum covenant is represented on the stair treads visible from the east entry," says Eladia Smoke, Lead Architect of Smoke Architecture. "This recalls the original agreement between Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee nations where we’ve agreed to share and care for this territory since 1142. The principles of this agreement can be roughly summarized as follows: we agree to share the dish, to always leave the dish clean, and to leave some for others. The beaver was a staple food and source of pelts for this region, and the work of amik (beaver) alters the flow of water, leading to significant biodiversity wherever they build."

This is one of the two representations of Treaty and Nation to Nation relationships that can be found at the front of the building and also speaks to the interactions of the Anishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee design elements mirrored within the interior of the building.