This Giving Tuesday Canada’s first urban First Nations Cultural and Ceremonial Grounds seeks to raise Operational Funding
The first ever urban First Nations cultural and ceremonial grounds in Canada is near completion in Whitemud Park, Edmonton. The operator, Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre is launching a campaign this Giving Tuesday to secure operational funding.
Edmonton, Alberta, 28 November 2022--- First Nation Edmontonians today, are the only group that must leave the city to do basic spiritual and healing ceremonies. This is even more alarming when we consider than most First Nations peoples in Edmonton do not have adequate transport options available to leave the city. In partnership with the City of Edmonton, the development and operation of kihciy askiy is crucial to providing an accessible space of worship and cultural identity for First Nations Edmontonians.
Lewis Cardinal, Project Manager said, “The site is a place where First Nations ceremonies and cultural gatherings can take place. First Nations people in Edmonton have to leave the city in order to do these basic ceremonies, and so now we no longer have to do that. We have over 60 First Nations organizations that serve the First Nations community in Edmonton and each of them have cultural and ceremonial programming, and they all have to leave the city in order to accomplish and deliver those things. Now, they won’t have to go very far.”
"kihciy askiy will contribute to cultural resurgence and reconciliation in our city by providing access to purpose-built land-based learning and ceremonial spaces in a natural setting. The City's operating partnership with the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre, and the support of many future site users and champions in the community, will help to ensure that this space is available to those seeking cultural programming and ceremonies in the heart of the city for generations to come," said Morgan Bamford, Team Lead, Indigenous Relations, City of Edmonton.
Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a global day of giving. A day where everyone, everywhere can do something to support the good causes and communities. By donating on Giving Tuesday, donors will see their funds having a direct impact on the operations of the kihciy askiy facility and will help further promote intergenerational learning and growth for the local Edmonton First Nations community. When we work together, we grow together. Give generously this Giving Tuesday. People can donate online on the Province of Alberta site give.crowdfunding.alberta.ca/kihciyaskiy beginning Tuesday November 29th to expand access to kihciy askiy, to build knowledge and understanding, and contribute to reconciliACTION.
Media Availability
Lewis Cardinal, Operations Manager for kihciy askiy will be available throughout Tuesday, November 29, 2022 for interviews, on camera or recorded pieces. Please contact Cardinal directly to arrange at 780-288-0314.
About kihciy askiy
In the Cree language, "kihciy askiy" means "sacred land." kihciy askiy is the first designated urban First Nations cultural and ceremonial grounds in North America dedicated to serve the spiritual and ceremonial needs of the First Nations community and a land base that supports the collective effort toward relationship building and the righting of relations. kihciy askiy is a place where diverse First Nations cultures can practice essential ceremonies, transference of sacred knowledge and wisdom, a gathering place to explore dreams of reconciliation with allies, a place of healing guided by ceremony leaders and knowledge keepers, and a place where they can reconnect with Mother Earth.
kihciy askiy development is scheduled for completion in Spring 2023. Funding has been secured to build and develop Sacred Land with the City of Edmonton, partnered with the First Nations Knowledge and Wisdom Centre. Once complete, the site will have up to eight sweat lodges, an amphitheatre, and space for tipis, fires, ceremonies, and workshops.
kihciy askiy-Sacred Land hopes to inspire other cities to create urban land space for ceremony for their First Nations population as a bold act of reconciliation. While our main focus is on providing First Nation Peoples access to culture and ceremony, we also welcome all Edmontionians to come learn about First Nations culture, history, and traditions.
Connect with kihciy askiy: Website - Instagram - Facebook - Tik Tok - LinkedIn - IKWC
#GivingTuesdayCA link > give.crowdfunding.alberta.ca/kihciyaskiy
About Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesday, a global giving movement that has been driven by individuals, charities, businesses, and communities across Canada and in countries around the world. GivingTuesday is the world's largest generosity movement and is considered by many as the opening day of the giving season. On November 29th, 2022 GivingTuesday Canada will celebrate its 10th anniversary, with thousands of partner organizations and millions of Canadians expected to take part. Since 2013, GivingTuesday has united millions of Canadians to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
Learn more about Giving Tuesday: Website - #GivingTuesday
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