Please see below the project summaries for heritage work funded in 2023 via the HCIP (Heritage Community Investment Program) Community Impact stream, which provides funding up to $20,000 for individuals or non-profit organizations to undertake projects that preserve, research, document, interpret, celebrate, and raise awareness of the history and heritage of Edmonton.

The Archives Society of Alberta – Supporting Indigenous Archives

Building capacity amongst Indigenous communities and organizations to develop their archives and record-keeping throughout Treaty 6, 7 and 8 and Métis lands. To support the development of Indigenous archives, the ASA will hire an Indigenous Archives Advisor to create a Needs Assessment report, provide advice on archiving in Indigenous communities and organizations, and develop/deliver a pilot course on Indigenous Archives.

ShiftLab – Exploring wâhkôhtowin Board Game

A multi-player interactive board game that can be played in a variety of learning environments, including schools, libraries, and community organizations. Through the incorporation of game-play events that simulate land loss, resource access, and attempted cultural genocide, Exploring wahkohtowin can teach new audiences in a novel way. It also emphasizes the significance of ceremony, medicine, and diet in Treaty 6 Indigenous culture, both before and after contact. The Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre provided Indigenous knowledge and teachings.

Josh Languedoc – Trail Worship: A Ceremonial Community Healing Walk

Based on an suggested by Languedoc’s friend Adam Erasmus, who has been on a journey of sobriety and healing. Erasmus has found running and walking a great source of inner strength in letting go of his trauma, and has hosted community runs under the name “Trail Worship.” The ceremony will be hosted during the busy weekends of the Silver Skate and Street Performers festivals, involving a knowledge-keeper who will discuss teachings of the treaty and traditional ceremonial knowledge, building a giant willow archway to act as the start of the trail. The project provides an educational opportunity for festival-goers to learn about Indigenous teachings and ceremonies.

Emily Chu – Chinatown Maps

The creation of three maps of Chinatown centered around storytelling. The maps can be used as self-guided tours to learn about arts, culture, and heritage featuring 10-12 sites of interest on each map. The project will include storytelling of Chinatown’s identity, sayings, micro-stories, and symbolism. Interviews and development are in collaboration with researcher, community member, and Chinatown knowledge keeper Lan Chan-Marples. The project has support from multiple Chinatown organizations including the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative (CTC), the Edmonton Chinatown Multi- Cultural Centre, and staff at the Bissell Centre.

A complete listing of 2023 HCIP recipients is available here. Contact grants@edmontonheritage.ca with any questions.