“Telling the stories of this place” ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ Edmonton’s Indigenous Art Park

The province of Alberta has declared that January is the Month of the Artist and one of the most recent additions to the public arts scene in Edmonton is an Indigenous Art Part. 

The City of Edmonton, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, Métis Nation of Alberta, Edmonton Arts Council and Indigenous artists and community members have partnered since 2013 to develop an Indigenous Art Park in Edmonton that will permanently exhibit Indigenous artworks. 

ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW),pronounced (EE-NU) is a Cree word meaning “I am of the Earth.” The Art Park is situated on ancestral lands of the Indigenous peoples whose descendants entered into Treaty with the British Crown resulting in the territory opening for settlement. River Lot 11 acknowledges the historic river lot originally home to Métis landowner Joseph McDonald. The park is located within Queen Elizabeth Park in Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley.

The Indigenous Art Park, which opened to the public in September 2018, features six artworks by Canadian Indigenous artists. The artists have created artworks that “tell the story of this place.” They are: iskotew – Amy Malbeuf (Rich Lake, Alberta), pehonan – Tiffany Shaw-Collinge (Edmonton, Alberta), mikikwan – Duane Linklater (Moose Cree First Nation, Ontario), mamohkamatowin (Helping Each Other) – Jerry Whitehead (James Smith First Nation, Saskatchewan), Reign – Mary Anne Barkhouse (Nimpkish Band, Kwakiutl First Nation), and Preparing to Cross the Sacred River – Marianne Nicolson (Dzawada’enuxw Nation).

The Indigenous Art Park is curated by Candice Hopkins (Carcross Tagish First Nation, Gaanax.âdi clan) – noted scholar and artist who has held curatorial positions at IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), National Gallery of Canada, Walter Philips Gallery, and the Western Front.

About the Site
Queen Elizabeth Park is located in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, across the river from the Rossdale community between Walterdale Bridge and Saskatchewan Drive on Edmonton’s south side. Located between Edmonton’s downtown and Old Strathcona, the park bridges two key tourist and citizen destinations and overlooks landmarks such as Alberta’s Legislature Building and High Level Bridge. The area has a rich history. The land, a few miles south of the river, was historically the reserve of Chief Papaschase’s Band. The immediate park area was part of River Lot 11 homesteaded by early Métis settler Joseph McDonald.

The City of Edmonton is home to Canada’s second-largest urban Indigenous community. For centuries this area has been a place of gathering, relationship building, harmony, balance, and commerce for many peoples. It was in this place that early relationships led to the creation of Treaty No. 6, the Province of Alberta, and the City of Edmonton.

About the Indigenous Art Park
The rich history of the Queen Elizabeth Park makes it an appropriate venue to house Edmonton’s first curated Indigenous public art park.

In September 2013, the Edmonton Arts Council and City of Edmonton co-presented a weekend “visioning workshop” at Sun and Moon Aboriginal Arts Society. The primary intent of the visioning workshop was to inform Indigenous artists, Edmonton’s Indigenous communities, and the general public about the park concept, and engage them in its creation. Attendees included 16 Indigenous artists from Edmonton and across Canada, as well as representation from Edmonton’s Indigenous communities.

Funding for the Indigenous Art Park was approved by City Council in December 2014, and a Steering Committee was implemented. The Steering Committee provides leadership and strategic direction for the art park and advises on all consultation, engagement, and administrative processes. The Steering Committee includes members from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Arts Council, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, and the Metis Nation of Alberta, as well as Elders and Indigenous artists/community members.

About the Art Selection Process
The Edmonton Arts Council issued an Expression of Interest to Indigenous Artists residing in Canada in August 2015. Sixteen artists were shortlisted and attended an in-depth workshop October 31 – November 1, 2015 in Edmonton. The workshop was facilitated by Candice Hopkins and included site visits and knowledge sharing from the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, Métis Nation of Alberta, and Elders Jerry Saddleback (Samson Cree First Nation), John Janvier (Dene – Cold Lake First Nation), Denis Paul (Stony Nakoda – Paul First Nation), and Ron Lameman (Beaver Creek Lake Cree Nation).

Based on this immersion into the stories, histories, and cultures of “this place” the artists then created full artistic designs and models. The six final concepts were unveiled to the public in April, 2016. ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ opened to the public on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

Take a virtual tour of ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ and enjoy interviews with the artists with this beautiful video made by Conor McNally.

“Alberta is the first province in Canada to dedicate a month to celebrate artists,” noted Alberta Minister of Culture, Ricardo Miranda. “It is a way to raise awareness of the challenges artists face and the value they bring to our province. Art is work. Art creates jobs, and art contributes to our growing economy.

“Throughout January, I encourage everyone to learn more about the people behind the art in their community and to find ways to support local artists. Our province is full of amazing events that feature work by Alberta artists. Take in a show at your local theatre. Visit an art gallery. Go to a concert. Or try something new and let your creativity blossom.

“I am proud that our government is supporting the hard-working artists who build Alberta’s rich social fabric and our economy. I hope everyone enjoys Canada’s first Month of the Artist.”