In the Edmonton River Valley near Whitemud Creek, an old piece of farmland returns to its roots. Indigenous oral histories tell of food search for medicines here. There used to be ceremonies on this land, some used ocher from a nearby deposit. This famous spot in Whitemud Park, formerly known as the Fox Farms site, is being transformed into a permanent, indigenous urban ceremony space, a place for sweat hostels, pipe ceremonies, traditional teachings and terrestrial learning. It is expected to open early next year, it is called kihciy askiy, Cree for sacred land. The site, a collaboration between the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Center and the city of Edmonton, is the first of its kind in Canada, said Lewis Cardinal, project manager for kihciy askiy – and a “bold act of reconciliation.” Three hours drive south to Calgary, a permanent native the assembly area is also moving forward. The city of Calgary is investigating the transfer of land belonging to the city near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, a traditional gathering place, with a local non-profit organization. The Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary envisions a building and outdoor space for learning, connecting and celebrating Indigenous cultures. “I really, really believe that we need this,” said Dorin Healy, a Blood Tribe member who was removed from her family at age five and sent to a home school. Older in the community, Ms. Healy said she cried tears of gratitude and relief when the Calgary City Council voted unanimously in February to proceed with the designation of a land transfer site. While organizers with the kihciy askiy in Edmonton and the Indigenous Gathering Place Society in Calgary describe these projects as belated, they are excited about what it would mean to have permanent urban spaces for ritual gatherings and cultural exchanges for both the natives and non-native populations. “Right now, we’re the only people who have to leave town to do our basic ceremonies,” Mr Cardinal said. In Calgary, the Indigenous Gathering Place Society notes that there are more than 500 sites dedicated to the city’s cultures and spirituality, but not one specifically designed for Indigenous ritual and cultural practices. For the past 16 years, Mr. Cardinal, who is the Woodland Cree, has been involved in creating a permanent indigenous funeral space in Edmonton, home to the second largest indigenous people in the country. He first collaborated with a council of elders to bring a proposal to the city in 2006. The many meetings, discussions, studies and consultations that have taken place since then. The contribution of seniors continued to guide the project, Mr. Cardinal said, including “roadmaps” for creating a site that meets the needs of all indigenous communities. The elders valued a location accessible by public transportation and had to offer people the opportunity to connect with the land. Indigenous people of Edmonton can also learn about the ceremonies and history of the natives in kihciy askiy. The latest 4.5-acre site is on a bus route, said Morgan Bamford, head of the team at the Edmonton City Office of Indigenous Relations. “It’s about removing barriers to accessing ritual and earthly teaching for people in Edmonton,” he said. Construction on kihciy askiy is underway and is expected to be completed within the year. The $ 6.5 million project will include a kiosk with toilets and locker rooms. a storage building; four sweating hostels and a permanent stone heating. type; and a large stage for ritual celebrations and cultural teachings. The Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Center will operate the site, with land and buildings owned by the city. “We know that access to culture and ceremony is the key to well-being in our community,” said Cardinal. “The more we see the natives recognizing their native, and also moving to the urban centers, the more they must have access to these resources so that they can feel more grounded in what they are.” Nav Sandhu, a program manager in Edmonton City who oversees the construction of the kihciy askiy, said social work was integrated into the project, including hiring an HR coordinator and turning to local Indigenous businesses for work and resources. And unlike other construction projects, it was a ground ceremony, instead of a foundation ceremony. Other cities are watching. Mr Cardinal said he had heard from people in Winnipeg and Toronto who wanted to know more about Edmonton’s new location. “Having these kinds of places where indigenous light can bloom, whatever it is; these places are all really important,” said Heather Dorries, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Geography and Design and the Indigenous Center. Studies. Professor Dorries investigates how urban planning has affected indigenous peoples and communities. All cities in Canada are built on indigenous lands, he said, but indigenous stories were erased from these places and there were policies to keep Indigenous people out. In the cities, the natives have long worked to create space for gathering and other community needs, Professor Doris said. As urban spaces of spiritual and cultural concentration gain dynamic and wider community support, he hopes that the previous work of indigenous peoples will not be forgotten. In Calgary, Michelle Fournie was introduced to the concept of a gathering place in 2014, through a local conciliation workshop. Now, the volunteer co-chair of the Indigenous Gathering Place Society, Ms. Fournie, points out that building such a space is not a new idea. The city’s real estate department is examining details of the land transfer, and in the meantime, Ms. Fourny said society is continuing to approach the base for the commitment and is preparing to launch a fundraising campaign next year. Ms Fournie wonders what it would have been like to have an indigenous gathering place as a child. “I was born and raised in Calgary and as a Métis resident living in the city where I lived in the aftermath of intergenerational trauma. “I struggled to find a sense of community to learn about myself and other indigenous peoples.” We have a weekly newsletter for Western Canada compiled by the heads of our offices in BC and Alberta, providing a comprehensive package of news you need to know about the area and its position on issues facing Canada. Register today.
