Kihciy Maskikiy/Aakaakmotaani garden opened at Alberta legislature
Kihciy Maskikiy/Aakaakmotaani is a name that combines Cree and Blackfoot words and translates to “sacred medicine/save many people.” The garden is centred around a linden tree that was planted by Indigenous and government leaders in 2021 as a symbol of reconciliation.
It includes a medicine wheel, a sacred symbol of the four directions and the interconnectedness of all things. The four quadrants of the wheel contain sweetgrass, sage, tobacco and cedar. A series of small footprints are pressed into its main path, representing the many children who did not return home from residential schools.
One highlight of the garden is Alberta’s official residential school monument. The stone sculpture Mother Earth Circling: Healing from the residential school experience was created by Saddle Lake Cree Nation artist Stewart Steinhauer. It fulfils the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 82nd Call to Action, which asks all provinces to commission monuments in their capital cities to honour the victims and survivors of residential schools.
The sculpture includes many Indigenous petroglyphs and symbols that create a narrative about the history of Turtle Island and the impact of residential schools. The central theme of the monument is the need for healing from that trauma. https://www.alberta.ca/reconciliation-garden-and-residential-school-monument
National urban park one step further to becoming a reality
Recently, by a 10-3 vote of support, the proposed national urban park moved to the planning process. This is not a full approval, it means council will do more fact-finding and administration will further engage the public and the federal government about the feasibility of a park, from maintenance costs to boundaries. Councillors Tim Cartmell, Jennifer Rice and Karen Principe voted against continuing this process.
Common Sense Edmonton gathered 2,153 signatures in support of its call for the city to abandon the national park plan. It believes that Edmontonians should decide by referendum whether to partner with the federal government on an urban national park.
Spokesperson Kerry Diotte, a former MP, and city councillor who also lost a mayoral bid, says they don’t see a need for the federal government to get involved in the river valley. Diotte is skeptical of the City’s assertions that the feds would not control the national-park project. “I don’t think you can have a national park without the feds having ownership,” said Diotte. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Coun. Andrew Knack asserted Common Sense Edmonton is spreading misinformation and “should have known better” when it came to making so much noise about a potential park. He repeatedly asked administration if the feds would have any control over the park, and was repeatedly told, “no.” He wanted to make sure all of council, and members of the public who tuned in, heard it, numerous times.
Coun. Keren Tang said its simply too early for the City to walk away from the process. “It would be almost irresponsible if we walked away and left resources on the table.” https://urbanaffairs.ca/edmonton-ish/the-park-has-become-a-political-football/
New Smith Crossing Pedestrian Bridge opens
The Smith Crossing Pedestrian Bridge, located along 23 Avenue, forms a key link in Edmonton’s river valley trail network as it provides a safe crossing over Whitemud Creek and access to the MacTaggart and Larch Sanctuaries. The new bridge is in the same location as the old bridge which reduces its impact on nature and strengthens ties to the existing trail network.
Built in 1914, the original Smith Crossing Bridge was named after the Smith family, who were pioneers in the area. It was a vehicle bridge until 1961 when it was changed to a pedestrian bridge. A piece of the old bridge has been used in a new interpretive plaque near the bridge.
The new structure is a tied arch bridge with a slender, open design that helps it fit within the natural area. It is installed higher from the ground to improve the bridge’s resilience to floods while also allowing larger animals such as moose or deer to walk under the bridge. https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/smith-crossing-pedestrian-bridge-replacement?utm_source=virtualaddress&utm_campaign=smithcrossing
Edmonton a beacon for wildlife because of geography and city planning
Dennis Kovtun photo
A new study states Edmonton will be more hospitable to wildlife than southern cities thanks to its geography and wildlife friendly city planning. Colleen St Clair, professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta and one of the study's co-authors, says that’s because of the river valley and ravine system, which is the largest contiguous protected natural habitat in any city in North America.
Edmonton's early managers “set aside the river valley for future generations. That was a tremendous thing to do," St Clair said. "We have this enormous natural area in Edmonton because of that forethought. Our geographic location also contributes to a wildlife friendly climate: cool winters, not overly warm summers and enough precipitation to allow plants, which drive the rest of the ecosystem, to flourish.”
Despite this good news, Edmonton will not be exempt from the effects of climate change, said Catherine Shier, a conservation coordinator with the City of Edmonton, who also participated in the research. The city could become between three and five degrees hotter by the 2050s, meaning the city may move on to having a more prairie-like climate.
Edmonton is in a zone called central parkland, Shier said, which lies at the intersection of prairies from the south and boreal forests from the north. It's one of the most endangered ecological subregions in Alberta. "If we do move towards more of the prairie ecosystem, then the species composition of our vegetation may change and it may drive out some of our larger mammals." Shier https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/how-geography-and-city-planning-have-made-edmonton-a-beacon-for-urban-wildlife-1.6981645
Reader Feedback on E-Bike Scooters in North Saskatchewan River
Stephanie Brown Yoshisaka photo.
After last week’s photo and story, kids in Riverdale fished out 6 e-scooters in the North Saskatchewan River by Dawson bridge. They spent all day doing it!
From the Model by Susan Owen Kagan, Belgravia Art Park
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/from-the-model
Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com