Indigenous Peoples relationship with the land, and why it’s a critical piece for the Indigenous Culture and Wellness Centre.

Indigenous Peoples have an undeniable connection to the land. For most Indigenous cultures, the land, people, animals, the lakes and rivers are all connected - they are all one. Indigenous People believe that being out on the land brings balance to one's life - the land is sacred and respected. They believe that no one owns land. Instead, it is a reciprocal relationship between people and the land - we are part of it, and it is part of us. For generations, Indigenous People have been taught how to live in kinship with Mother Earth. Traditional medicines are gathered from the land, and Indigenous People believe it has the ability to heal them spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. The majority of Indigenous ceremonies are on the land, where they sit, dance and sleep. It’s this direct connection with the land that provides Indigenous Peoples with an opportunity to receive its healing energy.

For some Indigenous People, coming to Edmonton or any other urban centre can be very overwhelming and disconcerting. Urban living offers limited opportunities to reconnect with the land, and the fast moving pace of the city can conquer one’s attempt to attain balance physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. When there is that disconnect, Indigenous People’s well-being is put at risk.

This is why the Steering Committee for the Indigenous Culture and Wellness Centre (ICWC) has made it clear that the centre must have access to land. Land is critical to achieving the vision of a space for Indigenous Peoples living in Edmonton to govern, celebrate and practice traditions and their culture from their place of knowing. Each Indigenous culture has its own unique relationship to the land, and although they may not all be the same - each nation has a distinct relationship with nature. The centre can provide Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks living in Edmonton an opportunity to learn traditional knowledge, cultural traditions, languages and oral teachings that are all connected to land from various Indigenous cultures who now call the city home. The ICWC can provide a home for those teachings and they would be honoured by bringing people to the land associated with the centre.

The hope is that urban Indigenous Peoples can reconnect, find balance and wellness at the ICWC. Indigenous People would be able to come to the centre and ground oneself, and when they leave they can continue contributing in the many positive ways they do to Edmonton and the surrounding areas.