Rainbow Pride Crosswalks
By now you’ve probably seen Old Strathcona’s rainbow crosswalks – they are something we now look forward to seeing redone every summer with support from the City of Edmonton. They are a great way to brighten some of our streets, but also celebrate and represent Pride, you can learn more about how these painted crosswalks came to life right here.
New Indigenous Crosswalk
The rainbow painted crosswalks first appeared on our streets back in 2015. Fast forward, and now we have an expanded Placemaking Partnership Program with the City of Edmonton which means we can pursue more projects that help to further beautify our streets through art. That’s why we’re so excited to share that this year we are getting a new painted crosswalk – Métis Landscape, designed by artist Lance Cardinal of Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory. When we had the opportunity to brainstorm something new for the West Ritchie pocket of the neighbourhood, we reached out to Lance who was excited to take on the project:
“I am so honoured and grateful to be living and working in Treaty 6 territory as a First Nations and Metis 2-Spirit artist. When I was asked to create a crosswalk design for the Strathcona community I knew I wanted to feature Indigenous ideals in some way. I wanted to bring more cultural representation to our city, and also honour the history of the land.” – Lance Cardinal
Métis Landscape
“I decided this would be the perfect time to honour my history as a Métis person. My mother is Sakaw Cree from the Treaty 8 territory and my father is Métis from Slave Lake, Alberta. This design, “Métis Landscape”, has colours and patterns inspired by the Métis Flag and Sash, two very important elements of Metis identity.”
Lance is “hoping this design will bring recognition and pride for the Métis people of our city and create conversation around representation and land recognition.”
For more information on Lance Cardinal’s work please visit www.soulflamecreativeservices.com or on Instagram @lancecardinal75.
We can’t wait to see this crosswalk come to life this month with thanks to Lance Cardinal for this thoughtful design and to the City of Edmonton for their financial and in kind support. As long as the weather cooperates, the crosswalk will be completed ahead of June 21 which marks National Indigenous People’s Day.
Here is where you’ll find all the painted crosswalks in our neighbourhood this year:
- Rainbow Crosswalk: 82 Avenue at 106 Street (north only)
- Rainbow Crosswalk: 84 Avenue at 104 Street (east and west)
- Rainbow Crosswalk: 82 Avenue at 101 Street (east and west)
- Rainbow Crosswalk: 82 Avenue at 100 Street (north only)
- Metis Landscape: 81 Avenue at 101 Street (east and west)
We respectfully acknowledge the traditional land on which our business district sits in the ward of papastew; the Territory of the Treaty 6 First Nations and the homelands of the Métis peoples. We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose ancestors’ footsteps have marked this land for centuries such as: the Cree, Nakota Sioux, Stoney-Nakoda, Saulteaux, Dene, Blackfoot, Tsuutʼina, as well as the Métis and the Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community.
