An enhanced walking path meant to become a place of reflection and a celebration of Indigenous history, at The Forks, now has its centrepiece.

A 30-foot tall sculpture of a pregnant woman kneeling, looking to the water and sky, now stands at Niizhoziibean, and can be seen from Queen Elizabeth Way.

"[The sculpture] represents motherhood, Mother Earth, and new beginnings," said Jaimie Isaac, one of three artists who designed the piece. "Her seven cascading strands of hair remind us of the seven sacred teachings: love, respect, courage, humility, honesty, wisdom, and truth. Her pregnant form signals that she is a water-carrier; she embodies Mother Earth. Within her forms are shapes representing the landscape, water, and constellations." Isaac said the woman is wearing a copper, armoured dress.

The sculpture's name, Niimaamaa, was revealed yesterday, spoken out loud for the first time. Niimaamaa means My Mother. Artist KC Adams said it first.

"We wanted to create a piece that could speak to all nations from this region. We wanted to create a piece that all walks of life could recognize: that this is your mother," said Adams.

Isaac and Adams were joined by Val Vint in conceiving Niimaamaa. They were chosen from a call for submissions to create various pieces on the site, and they opted to work together. Curatorial support was given by Julie Nagam, chair of Indigenous Arts of North America and an associate professor at the University of Winnipeg.

There is still plenty more to come for Niizhoziibean, including a drum park, improved lighting, restored native plants, and interpretive elements recognizing the area's history. $1.2-million is going to the project, through funding from the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program, The Winnipeg Foundation, and The Forks Renewal Corporation. The path will be linked to the Tache Promenade, connecting The Forks and St. Boniface. A section of the path itself depicts a water serpent. Vint says two limestone pieces represent the serpent's eyes.

There are also plans for an outdoor bush gallery and a boardwalk within the forest canopy, which require fundraising.