Open Streets “Car-Free” festival comes to Edmonton!
On Sunday, August 25th, 2019 Edmonton hosted their first ever OPEN STREETS festival in downtown Edmonton. This car-free event was led by Paths for People and featured amazing activities like public art, games, mountain climbing, live music, vendors and more. Even a cool bike parade!
Honouring Treaty 6 territory
From the very beginning of the planning process, Open Streets organizers wanted to include a mural project that would be part of the event day and pay tribute to the Treaty 6 territory. They wanted to engage with the crowds and bring people together in creative conversation.
The original ideas was a crosswalk design, much like the pride crosswalks seen all over the world. But, they needed an artist. Wild Heart Collective reached out to me at Soulflame Creative Services to help bring the idea to life. When I heard about the event and the vision for the mural, I immediately accepted.
Lance Cardinal with his recently completed mural, “Seven Sacred Teachings” at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Head start building. August 2019.
The significance of the Pendleton blanket
When I was asked to design a mural for the Open Streets festival that payed tribute to the Treaty 6 territory, the Pedleton blanket immediately came to mind. These woolen graphic blankets are often given as gifts in ceremony or on special occasions, bringing people together in love. Seemed like the perfect theme for an Open Streets art piece.
Finding Inspiration
Some of the images used as inspiration for the new Indigenous design.
The Vision
Here is my original VISION for the Treaty 6 territory “Scrambler” crosswalk for downtown Edmonton.
Overcoming Challenges
Although the crosswalk design was well received by the event organizers, some of the logistics became a bit of a challenge. it was decided at the last minute that a painted mural on portable panels would be a better option for the event. The new plan was to provide 9 panels that the public would paint as a community. At the end of the event, the panels would be assembled together and then displayed somewhere in the city.
The New design
Here is the final design for the new 9 panel concept.
Indigenous Protocol
When the festival was about to begin, Open Streets chairperson Dave Buchanan and Executive director Sarah Hoyles followed protocols in Treaty 6 Territory and offered me tobacco for my presence at the event. I accepted with honour.
Soulflame Creative Services
Here I am, ready with my Soulflame Creative Services display, showing the design process, and the concept for the mural honouring Treaty 6 territory.
Volunteer Anj Gambler was there as well, helping to facilitate the day.
The Participants
The Open streets festival saw thousands of Edmontonians come downtown and support the car-free event. Here are some of the amazing participants who helped create the collaborative mural and helped honour Treaty 6 territory:
The Chubby Cree Drum Group
It was such an honour to see Chubby Cree drum group at the event. They gave a LIVE performance and encouraged a round dance with some of the spectators. Chubby Cree is a women's powwow and hand drummers group, singing to their Creator and honoring all the women. They strive to help the youth and show respect for elders.
Legacy Lives on
Now that mural pieces are complete, and the festival has ended, the pieces go to the Studio for repairs, completion, and assembly, getting ready for its new home! The assembled mural will now be placed in a prominent location in the city of Edmonton for all to see.
The future of the original “Scrambler Crosswalk” has not been forgotten. The efforts have begun already for NEXT YEARS festival, and the original vision for a semi permanent Treaty 6 design may still be a reality!
My Final Thoughts
This was such an incredible and inspiring experience. To be right on Jasper avenue with not a car insight, the towering skyscrapers surrounding us like mountains, and to be working on a community art project that honours the Treaty 6 territory.
It was so refreshing being on the streets and meeting people face to face. Talking not texting. And sharing a real moment. The city needs more of this!
The response from the crowd towards our artistic initiative was enthusiastic and positive! There were a lot of smiles, excitement and creativity flowing. But most importantly, there were many conversations about the importance of these kinds of works. Where understanding, collaboration and honouring of the original peoples are prioritized.
This really shows how much the people of Edmonton would support more Indigenous design content into our urban landscapes. Many different nations from around the world were helping. All with a smile and a desire to show their support. No politics, no agendas, just an honouring. And we did it through the power of the brush. Awesome.
-Lance Cardinal, Artist, Treaty 8, Bigstone Cree Nation
