Waterloo Region Airport to add Indigenous art in “Honouring These Lands and Waterways” project

Waterloo Region Airport to add Indigenous art in “Honouring These Lands and Waterways” project

Waterloo Region International Airport isn’t just a place where planes take off and land — it’s a gateway to our community. What if every person who arrived was greeted by something that made them stop, think, and connect more deeply with the place they’re visiting? That’s the vision behind a new art initiative called “Honouring These Lands and Waterways.”

The Region of Waterloo is working to add new murals in the airport’s arrival area, welcoming people with stories that challenge, inspire, and educate. Indigenous artists are invited to create these three prominent murals. This isn’t just about beautifying a space — it’s about sharing stories that have shaped the region for thousands of years.

Every year, thousands of travelers pass through YKF. Art can help residents and visitors better understand the stories of this place. The murals will illuminate the history, culture and perspective of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Urban Indigenous communities. They’ll invite you to pause and think about the land beneath your feet, the water that flows nearby, and the people who have stewarded the land for generations.

Three Indigenous artists will be chosen — one each from the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Urban Indigenous communities — by juries from their own communities. These artists will receive $6,000 each for their work.

The “Honouring These Lands and Waterways” project is more than an art display — it’s a commitment to recognizing the history and heritage of the First Nations who have cared for these lands since time immemorial.

For visitors, the murals will be a powerful introduction to the Waterloo Region. For residents, it will be a reminder that we are all part of a larger story, one that goes back long before the airport was built, and one that continues to unfold today. 

As a community, we have a chance to celebrate and honour the Indigenous cultures that are an integral part of Waterloo Region. These murals are just the beginning—a way to start conversations, build understanding, and create a more inclusive future for everyone.

Learn more about this project.