The Legislative Assembly of Alberta has erected a stone monument at its headquarters in Edmonton, to symbolize the province’s commitment to Reconciliation, reflection, and healing. Photos courtesy Government of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta has erected a stone monument at its headquarters in Edmonton, to symbolize the province’s commitment to Reconciliation, reflection, and healing.
Located within the newly established Kihciy Maskikiy / Aakaakmotaani Reconciliation garden, the monument—titled Mother Earth Circling: Healing from the residential school experience—was created by Saddle Lake Cree Nation artist Stewart Steinhauer. It is comprised of several carved images, including the Rock Grandmother side, Inuit and Metis symbols, the four rivers, the Rock Grandfather side, the hole, the First Peoples of Turtle Island, the flowing water, the crane, the two paths, the moose tracks, the thunderbird, and the bear claws. Steinhauer has also included a guide to help visitors interpret the images.
Intended to embody the spirit of Reconciliation, the garden was named after Cree and Blackfoot words meaning “sacred medicine” and “save many people.” Its name and design were guided by a group of Indigenous elders, as a place for people to reflect, seek guidance, and find solace.
“Healing from the harmful, intergenerational effects of residential schools is still very much needed—for the victims, survivors, families, and loved ones, but also for the people who built, maintained, and enforced the residential school system in Canada,” says Steinhauer.
