Paskwāwiyiniwahk/Plains Cree Knowledge Keeper Willie Ermine speaks in front of one of the new interpretive signs. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Riverbank revitalization

New riverbank interpretive signs honour Indigenous history

Jun 16, 2020 | 6:00 PM

Prince Albert’s downtown riverbank is now home to seven new interpretive signs detailing the histories of the Indigenous groups that have lived in the area for thousands of years.

The informational displays are the result of nearly two years of work by the City of Prince Albert arts and culture department, Knowledge Keepers and the P.A. Historical Society.

Each panel features an introduction to one of the six area Indigenous groups in English and that group’s language. The Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Swampy Cree, Dakota, Dene and Métis are all represented.

Each sign features a metal cut out of an animal associated with that Indigenous group’s culture and way of life. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

On Tuesday, the signs were unveiled at a ceremony attended by city dignitaries, Elders and historians.

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Fred Payton of the Prince Albert Historical Society thanked those involved for their hard work and attention to detail in making the project a reality.

“The end result will add immeasurably to the knowledge and understanding of those using the riverbank and is something in which all of us can take pride as we acknowledge the true history of this community,” he told the group.

Over the course of an hour, the gathering followed the Rotary Trail from sign to sign as each was blessed and Knowledge Keepers spoke about the project’s significance and the area’s history.

Knowledge Keeper Dr. Leo Omani takes time to honour Senator Bernice Waditaka who provided the Dakota translation for this sign. Senator Waditaka passed away earlier this week. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Dënesųłıne/Dene Knowledge Keeper Allan Adam from Fond-du-Lac First Nation called the Dene “the first snowbirds” as he detailed their migration up through the area now known as Prince Albert around 1,000 years ago, followed by a reverse migration hundreds of years later.

“There were always people ahead of us… and that’s who we’re celebrating today,” he explained. “By this sign here, it tells us who we are and where we’re from.”

Sakawithiniwak/Woodland Cree Knowledge Keeper Charlene Larsen. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Paskwāwiyiniwahk/Plains Cree Knowledge Keeper Willie Ermine explained how the Cree had acted as middlemen during the fur trade, canoeing as far as York Factory on the edge of Hudson’s Bay to buy and sell goods and connect nations.

“Without our involvement, Canada would have been quite different,” he told paNOW after the ceremony.

Ermine explained the signs are important to educate the general public, but also to recognize the value of Indigenous people and their history.

“Our own people need to see Prince Albert as being a responsive place, that when we come into P.A. we actually see ourselves as part of the city,” he said.

Âpihtaw’kosânak/Métis Knowledge Keeper Leah Dorian told the group part of authentic reconciliation is reconciliation between nations, like the work the Knowledge Keepers have collaborated on. (Alison Sandstrom)

Ultimately, Ermine said true reconciliation for him will occur when Prince Albert is renamed Kistapinānihk, the name it has borne for centuries. Kistapinānihk translates to “a place where people prolonged their stay” or “meeting place.”

He acknowledged all the groups involved in creating the signs for their contribution in educating people about the area’s history.

“It’s a step, it’s part of the real work that needs to be done,” Ermine said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom