An Indigenous artist from Treaty 6 territory will be tasked with creating a piece to represent Edmonton and nation-wide municipal collaboration. The City of Edmonton is accepting artist submissions until April 2 to create a legacy paddle for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference that will be hosted at the Edmonton Convention Centre from June 4 to 7.
The artist will design a canoe paddle that will serve as a travelling symbol of national connection, being passed from one host city to the next. One side will showcase the essence of the Edmonton region, co-designed with the city, and the other will serve as a historical record, featuring engravings of each host city. The paddle and a case will be provided to the artist, along with $5,000 to cover artist fees and materials. At the end of the conference, Mayor Andrew Knack will present the paddle to the mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the next host city of the FCM conference. The chosen artist will be invited onstage for the ceremony.
The annual FCM conference brings together more than 2,500 elected officials and national delegates for workshops, lectures, and tours. There are excursions planned to the Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park, the historic Rossdale Power Plant, kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land in Whitemud Park, and the Arts District, among other sites. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government will give a presentation on how it reached self-governance and city staff will explore reconciliation and anti-racism. Early bird tickets are available until April 23.