Gathering of Eagles

A powerful eagle stretches across this section of the mural, representing the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and their deep cultural, spiritual and ancestral connections. With its wings outstretched against a vibrant purple background, the eagle symbolizes the Mississauga people, whose name is sometimes interpreted as the “Gathering of Eagles”. It also speaks to the significance of the Eagle Clan within the Mississauga Nation and the Eagle Clan representatives who signed historic agreements, including the Toronto Purchase.

Smaller bird-like forms surrounding the eagle represent the many Eagle Clans associated with the Mississauga people. Bold colours and intricate patterns fill the eagle, with a red heart at its centre symbolizing the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds, a recurring theme within Anishinaabe teachings. 

The design incorporates a distinct division through the eagle’s body and heart motif, representing the two chambers of existence described in Anishinaabe cosmology: the physical realm and the spiritual realm. According to these teachings, all living beings move between an earthly existence and a spiritual dimension that connects them to ancestors, ceremony and the Creator. The heart and central pathway symbolize the connection between these two worlds and the ongoing relationship between them. 

Celestial symbols and patterned forms throughout the background extend this idea of connection to the broader universe. The eagle, traditionally regarded as a messenger, represents the carrying of prayers and messages between people and the spirit world.