OHL Kitchener Rangers

Sir John A. Macdonald Celebrates His 200th Birthday with the Kitchener Rangers

Published on January 5, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


A sculpture of Sir John A. Macdonald will be unveiled on the ice in a pre-game ceremony on Friday, January 9 before the Rangers take on the Belleville Bulls. Macdonald's 200th birthday is being recognized and acknowledged at all Ontario Hockey League games this upcoming weekend, as the league supports the SirJohnA2015 project to raise awareness of the life and legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's primary architect and first prime minister.

In addition to the unveiling of the statue, the Kitchener Rangers will join other OHL teams in wearing a patch commemorating this bicentennial celebration. And, as a special birthday treat, fans will be welcomed to join us for a complimentary cupcake on the concourse during the first intermission.

The cast bronze sculpture entitled "A Canadian Conversation" was created by by Wellesley artist Ruth Abernethy. The work depicts Macdonald pausing during one of countless meetings regarding Confederation while a meal is being set out. Sir John is flanked by two nineteenth century dining chairs and invites present day viewers to join him.

"John is keen to hear thoughts from collected guests. Between these two equal and unassuming seats will spring the richest dialogue, refreshing resolutions and the seeds of real progress towards the creation of a new country," says Abernethy.

"A Canadian Conversation" is an interactive sculpture that invites viewer participation. In addition, Ruth has subtly sculpted, on the two chairs, over thirty symbols and clues that historians and students will be delighted to decipher relating to Sir John A Macdonald's time, career, policies and personal life.

The sculpture is the first commissioned work of one of Canada's prime ministers by The Statue Project, coordinated by Sandvine chief executive Dave Caputo and retired KCI principal Jim Rodger. "A Canadian Conversation" will move to The Museum on King Street in Kitchener in February in anticipation of a permanent location for the work by Canada Day, 2015.

The Statue Project's primary goal is to commission and place sculptures of all of Canada's prime ministers in a Waterloo region location as part of the celebration of Canada's Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) in 2017. In addition to the creation of the sculptures, open sourced school curriculum on each prime minister will be available to anyone wishing to broaden their understanding of our leaders and their eras.

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