Artist: Mo Thunder
Category: Murals
Address: 75 Vodden Street East, Fire Station 207

the fire that burns in our hearts
is also the passion deep within our bones
sizzling embers ignite compassionate spirits that walk on the land
with intention, curiosity and care
thunder beings bring water where steam and smoke rise through rainbow medicine flickering through the sky
sumac
burdock
elderberry
milkweed
and willow plant
medicines provide and grandfathers support us to carry hope for the next generation

In 2023, Mo Thunder collaborated with Saphera Peters and Jennifer Messon to craft this incredible mural. Inspiration was drawn from a community walk along the Etobicoke Creek Trail; led by Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours founder Alan Colley. Local students, Mo Thunder, and Brampton Fire and Emergency Services staff engaged in fire teachings, Indigenous histories, storytelling and explored medicinal plants.

We are thankful for the collaborators who made this possible: The Indigenous Network, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services, Nibi Emosaawdang Public School and Gordon Graydon Sr. Public School.

This artwork was created in partnership with STEPS Public Art, a Canadian charity and social enterprise empowering artists and communities to transform public spaces into vibrant places.​

image of o·tsísteˀ / ishkode, 2023

Mo Thunder Bedard (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary/fluid, neurodivergent multidisciplinary artist and facilitator based in T'karonto (Toronto). They're Haudenosaunee (Oneida Nation of the Thames), French-Canadian and Anishinaabe (Aamjiwnaang First Nation). Mo is also inspired by intergenerational connections and healing, family and memories, personal and collective empowerment, and all of creation, especially skyworld.
@mo_thunder
mo-thunder.com

Saphera Peters is an illustrator based in Brampton, Canada, who brings joy to others through vibrant colours and dynamic compositions inspired by South Asian culture.
@sapherapeters
sapherapeters.com

Jennifer Messon is a two-spirited Indigenous artist, born and raised in Toronto. They work with different mediums such as painting and traditional beadwork. They have contributed to many individual and collaborative murals throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
@gaay_lord​