Edmonton city council continuing reconciliation work

The longtime dream of creating a specialindigenous cultural and ceremonial space in Edmonton is onestep closer to becoming reality.

City council has agreed to fund work surrounding the proposed project, along with a number ofother aboriginal projects, with a $400,000 contribution.

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It's all a part of the city's effort to make Edmonton a more inclusive place for its indigenous population, which is one of the fastest growing of any city in Canada.

Mayor Don Iveson saidcouncil is continuing the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by supporting a number of projects, even through challenging economic times.

"Albeit a time of restraint, those were important priorities to move ahead on," Iveson said.

Council agreed on the funding package during budget discussions last week.

'Sacred Earth' in Edmonton's river valley

Kihciy Askiy, Cree for Sacred Earth, is the name of theindigenous cultural and ceremonial space being planned,one of the flagship projects to benefitfrom a share of the funding.

Land for the project, to be developed on theold Fox Farms property locatedacross from Fort Edmonton Park, has already been donated. Nowwork gets underway fleshing outdetailsand whatit will all look like.

"In the past there have been proposals and projects around sweat lodge ceremonies and other kinds of cultural events happening down there," explained Rob Houle, supervisor of the city's aboriginal relations office.

Houle said the project is a symbolic one but itwill make it easier for aboriginal people to connect with their culture.

He said consultations will now go ahead to figure out the next steps, including discussions with indigenous communities about what they want to see there.

But Houlestressedthe pledge from council to ensurethe work continuesiskey.

"Very promising and shows that it is part of the relationship building and the overall process of reconciliation and relationship building that needs to take place in the city," he said.

A more comprehensive history

Given the site is on an old farm, Houle said work through 2016 will focus on design and planning and making sure the area is ready for any construction that might follow.

Iveson said council is also committing funds to Fort Edmonton Park to tell a more comprehensive story aboutthat history.

"So that when people are at the living history museum, that living history reflects a pre-contact story, a contact story, a treaty story and a story of some of the challenges of colonization," he said.

Iveson saidthe city will be working with the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, as well as the Metis Nation of Alberta, on that project.

Houlesaidthe projects areimportant steps for the city as a whole.

"This provides an opportunity for people to become more in tune with their culture, more in tune with their history telling the real story about Edmonton and moving forward together," he said.

Gareth.Hampshire@cbc.ca

@cbcgareth