ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ Amiskwaciy-wâskahikan

This art piece is titled ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ Amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, (Cree) translated as Beaver Hills House, the Indigenous name for this area known today as Edmonton.

The materials used for this artwork are gifts from Mother Earth — the land and animals — which represents the theme and importance of reciprocity in relationships with each other and these earthly gifts.

The red willow that frames the moose hide is traditionally used in ceremonies such as talking circles. It is a symbol of communication and signifies the importance of connecting and speaking from our hearts.

The central focus of this piece is the North Saskatchewan River Valley. The river of fur, symbolizing the fur trade era and Fort Edmonton HBC trading post. Adhesion to the Treaty was signed in or near the original Fort Edmonton in 1877. Indigenous Peoples were instrumental to the success of the fur trade. Edmonton would not exist today without the achievements and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the development of this region.

Bordering the River are seven rows of glass, semi-precious and wood beads representing the connection we have to the next seven generations and the responsibility we have to today’s children and youth and future generations.

The 13 moons represent our yearly moon cycle and remind us of our continuous seasonal round.

The ​‘You are Here’ place marker along the River is a play on our modern technological symbolism that we rely on and to encourage Edmontonians to learn the history of this area from Indigenous perspectives. To ​‘know’ where we are and respect the First Nations lands.