Beaver abundant wherever aquatic habitats are found
Beavers are stocky rodents adapted for aquatic environments. They can make a home anywhere with enough trees and a permanent water supply, such as Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan river valley.
Beavers are primarily nocturnal, meaning most of their feeding and working happens at night. They are active 12 hours each night except on the coldest of winter nights. The phrase busy as a beaver is appropriate. Beavers do not have many predators and normally live up to ten years. It is against Alberta law to disturb or remove a den or lodge without a Damage Control Licence.
Their prominent tail is flattened dorsoventrally, scaled, and almost hairless. It is used as a prop while the beaver is sitting upright and as a rudder when swimming. Beavers also use their tail to warn others of danger by abruptly slapping the surface of the water.
The beaver’s large incisor teeth, bright orange on the front, grow continuously throughout its life. These incisors are beveled so that they are continuously sharpened as the beaver gnaws and chews while feeding, girdling, and cutting trees.
Beavers are not responsible for the stomach ailment, "beaver fever." Beaver fever is caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia and transmitted by drinking water that has been contaminated by an infected person or animal. The most common carriers of the parasite are people, pets, and livestock. Learn more at https://www.alberta.ca/beavers.aspx
Indigenous faces on the buildings in the legislative grounds
Over 9,000 years of complex history exist in the surroundings of what is now the Alberta Legislature. The territory was traditionally a gathering place for Indigenous Nations who came together to hunt and gather, trade, cement alliances, and perform important ceremonies. It was the site of Fort Edmonton and home of a bustling Métis community.
With this vibrant Indigenous history, it makes sense that symbols of Indigenous Peoples are included in buildings on the Legislature grounds. However, these representations had a much different meaning to the settlers of early twentieth century Edmonton.
Settlers believed that Indigenous Peoples could only be successful if they gave up their cultures and adopted the same methods as their white brethren. The so-called vanishing Indian was to be memorialized and encapsulated in the stones of the new Alberta Legislature.
The Indigenous men in the carvings are depicted as wearing headdresses and aging, or near death. These features symbolized the vanishing Indian made possible through Canadian assimilation. The inclusion of headdresses is particularly telling because until 1951, Indigenous Peoples required permission from an Indian Agent to wear headdresses and other regalia, while traditional ceremonies were prohibited. The headdresses represent a historical past.
With this history in mind, one can more fully understand the inclusion of Indigenous figures on the buildings. They serve as a stark reminder of Alberta’s oppressive colonial history and harmful stereotypes which faced, and still face, Indigenous Peoples. Inanimate carvings of Indigenous Peoples were permitted to display traditional and spiritually significant items while living people were restricted from practicing their cultures. Read more at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2021/09/21/tokens-of-remembrance-indigenous-faces-in-edmontons-beaux-arts-architecture-1907-1930/
Waskahegan trail spans over 300 kms
This giant trail spans Edmonton and surrounding municipalities, includes public and private land, is maintained by volunteers, and has perfect day hikes for everyone.
Planning for the trail began in 1967 as a Canadian Centennial project under the leadership of Edmonton’s Oil Capital Kiwanis Club. In 1969, the Waskahegan Trail Association was created as a volunteer organization dedicated to building and maintaining the Waskahegan trail around Edmonton and neighboring east and south areas.
Thanks to the volunteer work of members, the generosity of landowners and the assistance of government and non-government organizations, the trail continues to grow. Presently it is 309 kilometres long. The association has amazing weekend guided walking tours that are scheduled on their website https://waskahegantrail.ca/
Beaver in the river valley
Elisabeth writes in response to last week’s letter “I am a biologist who has been interested in beaver since working in Gatineau park north of Ottawa. Beavers are very active in our river in Edmonton and in the Whitemud creek valley. I think in the river they generally build holes in the bank, which provides a warm home in winter. I saw a beaver lodge on the south side of the river last Monday, downstream of the footbridge from Gold Bar park to Rundle park. Paddling the river, canoeists frequently see beavers.”
Comment or contribution
If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please also email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site.
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712