Métis designer installing hundreds of art pieces above new Tawatinâ Bridge walkway
Edmonton’s new pathway across the North Saskatchewan River will include an artful journey through Indigenous history.
Hundreds of painted panels are being installed this week on the new Tawatinâ Bridge.
They’ll be stuck to the underside of the concrete Valley Line LRT deck, which is also the ceiling of the pedestrian crossing underneath.
The Métis man designing the project isn't exactly sure how many pieces the final installation will include, but it’s a lot.
“I couldn’t tell you. I give a round number of 400, but there are many small pieces and some may not make the cut,” David Garneau told CTV News Edmonton during installation Wednesday night.
Garneau painted about half of the panels and a team of about a dozen of his art students contributed the rest.
The artwork honours the Indigenous history of amiskwacîwâskahikan, which translates to “beaver hills house” and is a traditional name for the Edmonton area.
Tawatinâ means “valley” in Cree.
Garneau said his own roots in the area date back to 1874 when his Métis family moved here after the Red River Resistance.
“A lot of the themes are Métis themes, First Nations…that’s the human element. But there’s also the natural element. There’s medicine plants, there’s all kinds of animals and birds, everything that’s in this area has some presence on this bridge,” he explained.
Garneau also included a tribute to Edmonton’s more recent past, by adding some of the things residents carved into the old Cloverdale Footbridge. That bridge was dismantled in 2016 to make way for the new crossing.
As for the meaning of the Indigenous artwork, Garneau said he didn’t write that down, and he won’t.
“Quite a few things are very self evident, humorous or obvious, but the other things have a sort of Cree knowledge or Métis knowledge to them. So some Elder or storykeeper will have to bring that to life. It’s something people bring to life with their own stories,” he said.
The 260-metre Tawatinâ Bridge, which is nearly the length of three football fields, is expected to open in November.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.