Notes from Treaty 6 Territory

By Uchenna Hilary Ezeh & Nowsheen Kamal, 1st year MDP students

We are both first-year MDP students and were excited to embark on our first field placement for the program. We connected with our mentor for the placement, James Lamouche, formerly the Director of Research at the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre (IKWC) and is currently the Project Manager of the kihcihkaw askî - Sacred Land in Edmonton.

IKWC's mission is to preserve, promote, and share the rich heritage, traditions, history, and knowledge of Indigenous communities on Treaty No. 6, Treaty No. 7 and Treaty No. 8. It serves as a vital repository for ancestral wisdom, where ancient teachings, oral histories, and practices are safeguarded for future generations. The center is a dynamic learning space that fosters intercultural understanding and respect through workshops, storytelling, art, and educational programs. The organization worked on Treaty kits and a virtual library for Indigenous schools in Treaty 6. These projects enriched us with knowledge of treaty rights, the history of the Indigenous people, and why treaty education is very important.

IKWC also oversees the operations of the kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land in Edmonton, a site of profound spiritual, cultural, and historical significance for Indigenous peoples, particularly the Cree. kihcihkaw askî, which means 'Sacred Land' in Cree, is a designated area in Edmonton, Alberta. Located in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, this site is dedicated to ceremonial, cultural, and spiritual practices. It is the first urban Indigenous ceremonial grounds of its kind in Canada, where Indigenous people can conduct ceremonies like sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies, and smudging in a natural setting.

The name kihcihkaw askî reflects Indigenous communities' reverence for the land, viewing it as sacred, where traditional practices are deeply connected to nature. The space is used for cultural education, reconciliation efforts, fostering community, and strengthening the connection between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands. The site's development, in partnership with Indigenous leaders and the City of Edmonton, symbolizes a step toward honouring Indigenous traditions and ensuring the preservation of these practices for future generations.

Our Mentor, James Lamouche, was also involved with the Ărramăt Project, a global initiative that highlights the vital role Indigenous Peoples play in conserving biodiversity and supporting community well-being. Rooted in Indigenous worldviews like whakapapa (Maori) and askiy (Cree), the project is named after the Tamasheq word Ărramăt, which describes a state of shared well-being between people, animals, and the environment.

Running from 2021 to 2027 and funded by Canada's New Frontiers in Research Fund, the Ărramăt Project aims to support over 100 Indigenous-led research efforts worldwide. It empowers Indigenous communities to document and share their knowledge of land stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and health while advocating for Indigenous leadership in global environmental decision-making. Grounded in ethical principles like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), the project strengthens Indigenous voices and promotes sustainable solutions for environmental and human health.

Working closely with our Mentor, James Lamouche, was an enriching experience. We learned a lot about Indigenous history and built relationships and understanding with diverse groups of people who worked on Treaty Kits, a virtual library and a historical, educational board game for band-operated schools in Treaty 6, 7 and 8. We also had the opportunity to engage in ceremonies like pipe ceremonies and two-spirit Sweat Lodge and observe how large research projects like Ărramăt are carried out by attending various meetings.