Urban Indigenous ceremony grounds open in Edmonton’s river valley

kihcihkaw askî means 'this place here is sacred' in Cree.

A new place for Indigenous people and groups to hold spiritual ceremonies, host talking circles and grow medicinal herbs opened in Edmonton Friday.

kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land, located in Whitemud Park at 14141 Fox Dr., will help Indigenous elders pass on knowledge to younger generations, the city said.

kihcihkaw askî means “this place here is sacred” in Cree.

The new ceremony grounds include room for eight sweat lodges, an area for tipis with a permanent feast fire pit, a storage building with a built-in amphitheatre and walking paths.

The $6.5-million project started construction in 2021 and will now be managed and operated by the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre.

Lewis Cardinal, project manager for kihcihkaw askî, said what makes this place remarkable is its size and the Indigenous stewardship.

“The kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land is about five hectares of the Whitemud Nature Reserve with the central purpose to have space for a myriad of ceremonies for healing, knowledge transfer and guidance from the many traditions of Indigenous nations who make Edmonton their home,” Cardinal said.

“The land site also contributes to reconciliation efforts for teaching and sharing on a land-based and natural setting context.