“Indigenous people in Edmonton have to leave the city to do these basic ceremonies, and so now we no longer have to do that. We have over 60 Indigenous organizations that serve the Indigenous 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, with kihciy askiy they won’t have to go very far .” - Lewis Cardinal, Project Manager

In the Cree language, "kihciy askiy" means "sacred land." kihciy askiy, also known as “kihcihkaw askî is the first designated urban Indigenous cultural and ceremonial grounds in Canada dedicated to serve the spiritual and ceremonial needs of the Indigenous community and a landbase that supports our collective effort toward relationship building and the righting of relations.

No longer will it be required for First Nations peoples to leave the city to participate in traditional spiritual and healing ceremonies. 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-Sacred Land hopes to inspire other cities to create urban land space for ceremony for their First Nation 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.

Project Planning and Importance The planning for kihciy askiy began over 15 years ago. The City of Edmonton and the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre together consulted, planned, designed is currently developing and building kihciy askiy in Whitemud Park. This joint initiative has been overseen by an Elder Counsel and been undertaken in the spirit of Peace, Friendship and Respect.   What is kihciy askiy? kihciy askiy is a 4.5 hectare (10 acre) space that has been designed for ceremonies and gathering. It provides a natural setting for First Nation peoples and communities in the capital region to host spiritual ceremonies, sweat lodges, cultural camps and talking circles; grow medicinal herbs, and facilitate land based intergenerational learning.The elders have worked with the city to design a space that can meet the many different ways our communities worship. Construction is near completion and we plan to open early in 2023.

You Can Make a Difference

We are asking you to make a donation for the operational costs to run kihciy askiy. Based on anticipated usage we will require $500,000 each year. Have a look at the wishes we are raising the funds for, to see the impact you can make. Your contribution will make a difference.

An Act of ReconciliAction

Just as the bison are returning to the land, we now see we can bring back equity to all peoples. Now is the time, kihciy askiy is nearly developed and when it open in Spring 2023, we will be able to welcome all First Nations People to the sacred space, and all Edmontonians as a place of learning, understanding, and reconcialiation.

Fred Campion, a member of the Elder Counsel calls it a "long journey" working to create this "safe place, where people can gather to reconnect with their spiritual and cultural identity." Campion estimates there are 80,000 Indigenous people in Edmonton and having kihciy askiy becoming a reality is an "opportunity for change — positive change — for our people."

Thank you for being a part of making a huge impact to so many people.

With credit to the City of Edmonton and Adrienne Lamb/CBC for the video and images