Amiskwaciy Waskahikan, translating to Beaver Hills House from Cree, is the original name for the area we now call Edmonton in Treaty 6 territory. This land was a bustling hub and trading route for many Indigenous communities, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot and Métis peoples. With a rich and storied history, it’s a treasure trove of landmarks just waiting to be explored.
This park is inspired by Indigenous Peoples’ deep connection with the land as Înîw (EE-nu) translates from Cree to“I am of the Earth” in English. It features six artworks created by Canadian Indigenous artists, all located within Queen Elizabeth Park. The înîw welcome rocks pay homage to the ancestral lands of the Indigenous groups.
In the heart of downtown Edmonton, the Beaver Hills House Park is a serene natural haven. Handprints adorn the park’s grounds forming the “Aboriginal Walk of Honour,” which celebrates achievements and the rich culture, traditions and languages Indigenous peoples contribute to Edmonton.
Perched on the rooftop of the Riverview Room, the Medicine Wheel Garden offers a gorgeous view of the Edmonton River Valley. The garden is designed in the form of a traditional medicine wheel, and it symbolizes the four directions, cycles of life, sacred medicines and animals.
This rooftop sanctuary celebrates the deep-rooted cultural heritage and the ongoing relationship between Indigenous communities and the land we all inhabit.
This memorial site was established to acknowledge the Indigenous people who have lived in the region for thousands of years. Human remains were discovered here during the development of a former power plant, this site now honours those buried there with ardent respect. In August of 2006, a special ceremony was held to rebury the remains and celebrate the official opening of the Rossdale Burial Site, marking the transformation of this space into a place of reflection and remembrance.
This effigy/labyrinth, located east of the Edmonton Convention Centre, is a unique blend of Indigenous symbolism and Celtic design. It was established in 2010 by Lea Dorion in partnership with The Works Art and Design Festival.
The maze invites visitors to reflect on challenges as they navigate its winding paths, emerging with clarity and insight. Dorion’s analogy behind the Turtle Effigy represents the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous Peoples and European settlers through the marriage of the traditional Indigenous turtle symbol and Celtic labyrinths.
