Discover the Indigenous heritage of Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta.

Long before Edmonton became Alberta's capital and the fifth largest city in Canada, it served as a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples. Situated in the traditional territories of the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), and Métis Peoples, each Nation had its own name for the area. The Cree referred to it as Amiskwacîwâskahikan (ah-miss-kwa-TSEE-was-kai-gan), meaning Beaver Hills House; the Stoney called it Many Houses, and the Blackfoot named it Big Lodge.

Today, Edmonton boasts the second largest urban Indigenous population in Canada, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. Situated within Treaty No. 6 territory and the Métis homelands in Alberta Region 4, approximately six percent of the city's population identifies as Indigenous.

The city is a vibrant tapestry of Indigenous culture, offering unique experiences that provide insight into the heritage and traditions of those who thrived on this land for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Here are some excellent ways to explore the Indigenous side of Edmonton.

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1. Explore the Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park.

Fort Edmonton Park is Canada's largest living history museum, offering a chance to immerse yourself in various historical eras. This impressive 30,000-square-foot interactive exhibit was created in collaboration with over 50 Indigenous Elders, historians, educators, and community members to share their stories from their perspective. At the park's Indigenous Peoples Experience, local Indigenous interpreters guide you through the exhibit, addressing your questions. Enjoy music, artwork, artifacts, texts, and audiovisual elements that reflect the richness of Indigenous cultures, histories, and their profound connection to the land.

2. Taste Indigenous cuisine.

Experience a variety of Indigenous-inspired dishes crafted by Indigenous chefs at several local spots. At Homefire Grill in Edmonton's west end, you can find bison spring rolls, bison burgers, elk lasagna, and more. Tee Pee Treats offers a delightful takeout menu featuring traditional and flavored bannock—a type of fry bread popularized among Indigenous Peoples after colonization—along with bannock burgers and desserts. Native Delights, a food truck and catering service, serves bannock burgers and other specialties, while Métis chef Brad Lazarenko’s Culina family of restaurants follows a farm-to-table approach with a commitment to local ingredients, operating three locations in the city.

3. Observe bison at Elk Island National Park.

No journey into Indigenous culture is complete without witnessing bison. Elk Island National Park, located 25 miles east of Edmonton, is home to around 400 plains bison and 300 wood bison. This park not only provides an opportunity to see these magnificent animals but is also significant in their conservation; once in the millions, bison were hunted to near extinction in the 19th century. The Canadian government acquired one of the last remaining herds of plains bison and relocated over 700 animals to Elk Island National Park between 1907 and 1912. Their descendants have helped restore bison populations in other national parks across Canada, the USA, and beyond.

4. Discover Indigenous art

To truly grasp a culture, delving into its art is essential. Fortunately, Edmonton offers several venues to experience Indigenous art, with înîw (pronounced EE-nu), the Indigenous Art Park, being an excellent starting point. Located in Queen Elizabeth Park, this park opened in 2018 as a result of a collaborative effort between the City of Edmonton, Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations, the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Edmonton Arts Council, and a group of talented Indigenous artists. The park’s name, derived from a Cree word, translates to “I am of the Earth.” Here, you can find an engraved welcome stone and six large community art pieces, each narrating a unique story inspired by the land.

For viewing and purchasing Indigenous fine art, check out Bearclaw Gallery, which specializes in Canadian First Nations, Inuit, and Métis art, including stone sculptures, paintings, wood carvings, clay works, jewelry, and gifts. Another fantastic spot is Whiskeyjack Art House, an Indigenous-owned art gallery and boutique showcasing both contemporary and traditional art along with artisan products. You can also find Indigenous art at the Art Gallery of Alberta, the largest art gallery in the province.

5. Explore the galleries of the Royal Alberta Museum

Visit The Human History Hall at the Royal Alberta Museum to discover an impressive array of Indigenous artifacts and gain insights into Alberta from the perspective of Indigenous Peoples, both historically and in contemporary times. As the largest museum in western Canada, it houses around 18,000 objects of Indigenous origin, ranging from the mid-1800s to today. The collection focuses on items from Nêhiyawak (Plains Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Dene, and Métis cultures. Its six galleries feature a 1,600-year-old roasting pit used by the Blackfoot, along with ceremonial clothing, beadwork, and canoes. Visitors can explore life before European contact and the resilience of Indigenous Peoples in preserving their culture. The Human History Hall also narrates the story of early homesteaders, providing a comprehensive view of Alberta's development as a province.

6. Take a stroll through the University of Alberta Indigenous Peoples Garden

Established in 1980, the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens features the first Indigenous Peoples Garden in Canada. Every plant in this garden has traditional uses within Indigenous communities, serving medicinal, dietary, and ornamental purposes. For a special experience, consider booking a Twilight Picnic from June to September, where you can enjoy a Canadian Indigenous-inspired menu along with Indigenous entertainment on select dates between June 7 and July 12.

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7. Join in on an Indigenous festival.

As Canada’s festival capital, Edmonton hosts over 50 festivals each year, and the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration during Indigenous History Month is a highlight. Organized by the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, the event features food, live performances, a pipe ceremony, and speakers. Many of the city's attractions host special activities; for instance, Telus World of Science Edmonton offers tipi raising, a smudge ceremony, teachings, an Indigenous market, and a free barbecue. Check the official website for National Indigenous Peoples Day for event details in Edmonton and across Canada.

Indigenous celebrations also occur at various festivals throughout the year. The annual Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival brings together Indigenous filmmakers, performers, and artists, while the multi-disciplinary Rubaboo Arts Festival showcases Indigenous theater, music, dance, and art. Additional Indigenous programming can be found at the Silver Skate Festival, Flying Canoë Volant, Deep Freeze Festival, and K Days.

Writer Liz Beatty discovered the stories of Labrador's Torngat Mountains from Inuit stewards at the national park's base camp

8. Discover Indigenous Experiences at Telus World of Science

Edmonton’s Telus World of Science provides a range of Indigenous educational experiences that link Indigenous knowledge with modern science. Legends of the Northern Sky examines Indigenous stories and understanding of the stars, while Arctic Journey immerses visitors in the lives of northern peoples and wildlife through interactive exhibits. Activities include sitting in a dogsled, learning traditional dances, entering an igloo, and understanding ice. Don't miss the mural by Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal, shaped like a beaver—symbolizing wisdom, one of the 7 Sacred Grandfather Teachings—which illustrates Elders sharing stories rooted in the wisdom of the stars and the natural sciences of Mother Earth.

9. Explore Métis Crossing

Situated about 70 miles northeast of Edmonton on the original river lots of Métis settlers, Métis Crossing is the perfect place to delve into Métis culture. The Métis, recognized as one of Canada’s three Indigenous Peoples, are of mixed European and Indigenous heritage, with their own unique language and cultural practices. Métis Crossing features a cultural center, a restaurant, and diverse programming where visitors can converse with an Elder, paddle a voyageur canoe, savor Indigenous dishes, and engage in crafts and cultural activities.

An onsite wildlife tour is also available, offering the chance to see white bison, which many Indigenous Peoples regard as sacred animals. For those wishing to stay overnight, options include a campground, a lodge, or a sky-watching dome, where you might catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Métis Crossing also provides packages that include accommodations and unique tours; for instance, the Beavers, Bison and People package features Indigenous experiences in Edmonton, Elk Island National Park, and at Métis Crossing.

10. Experience a city tour with an Indigenous guide

Curious to learn more about Edmonton's Indigenous history? Join Keith Diakiw of Talking Rock Tours for a walking tour that highlights significant locations you may miss on your own. For instance, a small green space near Edmonton's Walterdale Bridge may escape notice, but it has a profound history as the site of an ancient First Nations burial ground. Diakiw encourages visitors to approach this area respectfully by participating in a smudge ceremony, an Indigenous purification ritual.

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