kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land: Urban Indigenous ceremonial grounds unveiled in Edmonton
Edmonton – or amiskwacîwâskahikan as it's known in Cree – is now home to urban Indigenous ceremonial grounds, which officials say is the first of its kind in the country.
kihcihkaw askî, which means "sacred land" in Cree, was officially opened on Friday.
It's a space for ceremonies, sweat lodges and reconciliation, located in Whitemud Park on Fox Drive.
"It is an honour to have the first urban Indigenous ceremony site in Canada located in Treaty No. 6," said Grand Chief Leonard Standingontheroad.
"I hope all Indigenous Peoples use the site to connect to their homelands and own traditions."
The site has space for eight sweat lodges, a circular area for tipis and a feast firepit for ceremonies and workshops.
There is also a pavilion with washrooms, lockers, a gathering room, and an outdoor amphitheater.
"Through this partnership with the Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre, kihcihkaw askî will be a safe place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to access and share knowledge within Edmonton," said Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.
Construction began in 2021 on the $6.5 million project following a ground blessing and several years of engagement, planning and design.
The kihcihkaw askî Elders Counsel helped to design it and now provides spiritual and cultural counsel for the site, which is managed by the Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre (IKWC).
The city said kihcihkaw askî "is historically and culturally significant and has served as a ceremonial and gathering site in the past."
kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land urban Indigenous ceremonial grounds in Edmonton on September 22, 2023. (Dave Mitchell/CTV News Edmonton)
kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land urban Indigenous ceremonial grounds in Edmonton. (Source: City of Edmonton)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Bouchard scores late to lift Oilers over Canucks, tie series
After a final frame that saw the visiting Vancouver Canucks claw their way back and tie the game late, a slap shot from the point by Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard with 38 seconds left (until what seemed like certain overtime) iced the 3-2 victory for Edmonton to knot the series.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.