Heart Beat of a Nation

This art piece titled Heartbeat of a Nation honours Edmonton’s connection with the First Peoples of this land. 

Treaty 6 is outlined over the provincial boundary map of present-day Alberta to illustrate the spans of these ancestral lands. The floral kohkom (grandmother in Cree) scarf around the map represents the Treaty colours: Green (grass), Blue (river), and Yellow (sun) signifying that Treaty is forever: for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the river flows. Within Treaty 6, there’s a photo of Poundmaker Singers captured at the unveiling of a sculpture and a Treaty 6 marker at MacEwan University to highlight the responsibility that all Edmontonians have as Treaty people. 

To honour the relationships that the City is building with Indigenous artists, the map features a sculptural mural by Métis artist Destiny Swiderski titled Amiskwacîw Wâskâyhkan Ihâtwin, located at the gateway to Beaver Hills House Park. Finally, throughout the piece, the seven animals symbolize sacred teachings of relationships built upon principles of wisdom, love, respect, courage, honesty, humility, and truth.