Standbeeld van Sir John Macdonald, de eerste premier van Canada, in Queens Park, Toronto c. 1890 - 1910

This photograph, by an anonymous artist, captures a statue of Sir John Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, in Toronto's Queens Park. Monuments are never neutral. Macdonald’s legacy is deeply complex, particularly regarding his policies toward Indigenous peoples. As prime minister, he advanced the residential school system, a project aimed at cultural assimilation that caused enduring harm to generations. What does it mean to memorialize a figure whose decisions have such profound and painful consequences? This image invites us to reflect on who we choose to honor and what values we uphold in public spaces. The photograph can serve as a potent reminder of the need for ongoing dialogue about history, justice, and representation. How do we reconcile honoring historical figures with acknowledging the harm they inflicted?