Celebrating our Storytellers
HCIP & FIRE Grant Recipients
We are proud to support these diverse projects that enrich our city's cultural landscape and preserve its vibrant heritage.
EHC grants represent nearly $1 million annual investment in Edmonton's heritage sector, supporting both established institutions and new initiatives.
Through these diverse projects, we continue to weave a richer, more inclusive narrative of our city's history and cultural heritage.
HCIP - Community Impact Grants
HCIP - Project Accelerator Grants
HCIP - Research & Planning Grants
HCIP - Operational Grants
FIRE - Impact Grants
Community Impact Grants | Spring 2024
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In alliance with the Edmonton Islamic Academy ArtisticBridges is initiating a series of free youth engagement workshops geared towards empowering BIPOC youth who have historically been underrepresented in Canada's cultural storyline. These sessions are structured to provide the participants with the necessary tools and confidence to express their heritage through creative outlets.
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The Edmonton Drag Festival is hosting a Two-Spirit Powwow featuring ceremonies, panel discussions, and workshops (The Werk Room). Led by Elders, knowledge keepers, drag artists, community leaders, and storytellers, these sessions offer participants profound insights into the historical and spiritual significance of queer identities within BIPOC 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
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kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land is a documentary that chronicles the inspiring journey of establishing Canada’s first designated urban Indigenous cultural and ceremonial grounds in the heart of Edmonton.
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A preservation project focused on recordings of EFMF Main Stage performances dating from 1998 to 2012. These original tape recordings have been donated to the Provincial Archives of Alberta for safekeeping but remain inaccessible due to the need for transcoding and proper cataloging. Partnering in this effort is the Edmonton-based non-profit Film and Video Arts Society.
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"Sofret Sitti," an innovative culinary initiative, aims to enrich Edmonton's diverse tapestry by celebrating the rich heritage of Palestinian cuisine. Rooted in the art of traditional Palestinian cooking, this project not only preserves age-old recipes but also fosters understanding and cultural exchange within Edmonton's vibrant community. Through interactive cooking workshops, culinary events, and digital storytelling, Sofret Sitti invites Edmontonians to come together and explore Palestinian culture through its universal medium: food.
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A documentary chronicling the establishment of Edmonton’s first abortion clinic, founded with the assistance of Dr. Henry Morgentaler. The film will feature interviews with clinic workers, archival footage, and photographs to illuminate this compelling chapter of Edmonton’s history.
Project Accelerator Grants | Fall 2024
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Publishing project sharing newcomer experiences in Edmonton through bilingual English-Amharic stories
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Festival series celebrating intergenerational connections through cultural performances and workshops
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Publication documenting traditional Indigenous toys and their cultural significance
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Documentary exploring Edmonton's hand weaving community and preserving their technical expertise
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Documentary on Dr. Colleen Cassady St. Clair's study of Edmonton's urban coyotes and our shared ecology
Project Accelerator Grants | Spring 2024
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This online course and learning initiative offers writers the chance to delve into local history, enhance their creative writing and public speaking abilities, and contribute to a collective book publication. The project, a world wisdom book, aims to narrate stories about Edmonton’s cultural landscape, natural and built history, artifacts, and language. This boot camp will culminate in a significant collection that documents and preserves Edmonton's heritage.
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This project seeks to design and implement a progressive web application (PWA) that offers an immersive and educational exploration of the vibrant history of Black Francophone culture in Edmonton. Through the versatility and accessibility of PWAs, our goal is to create a platform showcasing interactive digital books, animations, illustrations, games, activity books, and audio content. These elements will celebrate and highlight the significant contributions of the Black Francophone community to Edmonton's cultural richness.
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The Ukrainian Dnipro Legacy Project aims to document 70 years of performance history in Edmonton. Dnipro will conduct interviews with current and former choristers to create a 15-minute film showcasing the achievements of Dnipro over seven decades and outlining its future direction.
This historical journey will be commemorated during a special 70th anniversary concert in November 2024.
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Jewish Edmonton Stories Online (JESO) (jewishedmontonstories.com) is an oral history preservation initiative launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Endorsed by the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Jewish Archives and Historical Society of Edmonton and Northern Alberta (JAHSENA), JESO aims to explore and connect with the stories and landmarks of Edmonton’s Jewish community, both past and present. Since its inception, JESO has seen a significant increase in requests from the Edmonton Jewish community eager to have their stories recorded and shared through the online platform.
The project involves recording and editing interviews, creating closed captions and transcriptions for accessibility, uploading videos, developing informational pages, updating an interactive map that pinpoints story locations, and enhancing the website with searchable indexes of people, locations, and a glossary. Additionally, efforts include renewing the domain, email services, and website hosting for another three years.
Research & Planning Grants | Fall 2024
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Documenting Iranian women's artistic and cultural practices in Edmonton
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Research on incorporating Indigenous perspectives into Bison Lodge facility
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Documentary research on the Geriactors intergenerational seniors' theatre company
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Development of children's TV series highlighting Edmonton's heritage and Black community
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Research on Jamaican community's impact on Edmonton over 40 years
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Research on pre-1870 settlement history of Riverdale area
Research & Planning Grants | Spring 2024
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This project will research and produce a podcast series delving into Edmonton's burgeoning skateboard culture, with a focus on the inclusion and acknowledgment of women and LGBTQ+ skateboarders within the community.
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This project aims to reclaim and preserve Indigenous women’s traditional knowledge of fertility and pre-conception within Treaty 6 Territory. Through both primary and secondary research, rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, the project will explore how Indigenous women understand pre-conception and fertility. This exploration is particularly relevant today, given the challenges faced by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous women regarding fertility.
Ultimately, the project seeks to share this reclaimed knowledge with Indigenous women and the broader community in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton).
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This project involves conducting background research for a documentary focusing on the cultural significance of the "Big Yellow Slide," also known as "The Giant Slide" or "Kiwanis Slide," which holds iconic status for many Edmonton residents. The research aims to streamline the documentary production process by defining a clear vision.
Approximately one month will be dedicated to researching the slide's history, connecting with organizers, managers, volunteers, and potential interviewees. Additionally, efforts will include locating and acquiring preferred stock footage, organizing a principal photography schedule, and developing a comprehensive production plan.
Operational Grants | 2025
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Preserving and sharing Edmonton's aviation heritage
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Documenting and sharing Alberta's labour history
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Preserving Jewish history and heritage in Northern Alberta
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Operating historical streetcars and preserving transit heritage
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Preserving and promoting Francophone heritage
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Supporting family history research and preservation
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Operating the Alberta Railway Museum
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Preserving Chinese-Canadian heritage and culture
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Supporting Indigenous knowledge and heritage
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Preserving Chinese family and cultural heritage
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Supporting French-language genealogical research
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Operating historic Bison Lodge and preserving pioneer heritage
FIRE Impact Grant Recipients | Fall 2024
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“The Elder Show" exhibition honoring Indigenous elders' creativity, knowledge and resilience through storytelling, visual art and portraits
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"Going Home" written collection of land-based teachings, cultural stories and personal reflections incorporating Indigenous language and traditional teachings
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"Celebrating Our Healing" - Three events showcasing Northern Indigenous cultures and traditional healing practices, featuring drummers and dancers
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Edmonton's first adult Indigenous choir focused on learning Cree language through singing, culminating in a group recital
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"âstam: Come and Learn" - Four free community workshops combining Indigenous storytelling and screen printing featuring Cree designs
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"Nimihtotân" monthly dance workshops creating Indigenous safe spaces and teaching both traditional and contemporary dance styles
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"Ocêpihkowan It Has Roots" multidisciplinary arts showcase exploring mental health through Indigenous cultural practices
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"Elders in the Making" three-day retreat sharing Cree Elder teachings with community members
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"Nikawih-kawin" Metis women's beading and sewing circle exploring cultural knowledge through traditional arts
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National Indigenous Deaf Cultural Gathering providing cultural teachings and connection for Indigenous Deaf individuals
FIRE Impact Grant Recipients | Spring 2024
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Pezuda Ûksu (Medicine Parfleche) by Iethka Nakoda Elder Tom Snow is a profound narrative exploring the history, spirituality, and culture of the Stoney Nakoda people. Expanding on his 96-page presentation on historical trauma, Tom provides a deeper understanding of Nakoda resilience, identity, and healing. The book intertwines traditional Nakoda teachings with Tom’s personal healing journey, highlighting the often-overlooked history of the Iethka Nakoda.
Integrating archaeological data, linguistics, oral history, medicine, and ceremony, Pezuda Ûksu fosters a broader discussion on Nakoda dignity, spirituality, and heritage.
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The mâmawi nîpawiwin - Standing Together Orange Shirt Day Walk is an inclusive event planned by and for survivors of Residential Schools and their families. Held on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this walk aims to overcome barriers faced by many survivors, such as poverty, limited access, and registration requirements.
The event will provide free food, refreshments, orange t-shirts, and cultural and Elder supports, ensuring accessibility and comfort. The walk will start at Mary Burlie Park and end at Giovanni Caboto Park, featuring optional walking and mobility assistance. By focusing on anti-racism, harm reduction, decolonization, and safe spaces, this initiative aims to foster community, raise awareness, and support healing.
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miyo-pimâtisiwin is a 3-day cultural camp for Saddle Lake Cree Nation youth ages 15-29, held outdoors in Saddle Lake and nearby grazing grounds. This camp aims to continue providing healing and hope to Indigenous youth through intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Activities include fire making, beading, medicine and berry picking, outdoor cooking, trapping, and various ceremonies. The camp will feature a pipe ceremony, sweat lodge, feast, and closing circle, supported by two Elders throughout the event.
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Mistatimwak Kiwicihikonawak is a one-day land-based camp near Perryvale, AB, designed for survivors of sexual violence from the Edmonton region to connect with horses for their healing journey.
This event, which avoids the need for discussing traumatic incidents, will include a pipe ceremony, meals, cultural stories about horses, one-on-one healing work with horses, a giveaway, and a closing group circle.
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Goin to Kokums is a show aimed to recreate the warm, loving atmosphere of visiting Grandma's house, where Kookum, a funny and caring Michif-speaking grandmother, invites viewers to her magical island home along with her non-binary puppet friend, Muckatoon.
Through play, song, and adventure, they engage with Métis culture and the Michif language. Each episode offers interactive learning games and visual fun for kids.
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Healing Through Moose Hide Tanning is a six-day urban hide camp held in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton), led by Cree Hide Tanner Jessica Sanderson-Barry and guided by Denesuline Knowledge Holder Marina Nohokoo. The camp will involve oral storytelling, language sharing, and tipi teachings by Elder Phillip Campiou. Participants will learn traditional moose hide tanning methods, fostering cultural resurgence and healing. This practice, vital for clothing and shelter, also serves as a form of reclamation and sovereignty, reconnecting Indigenous people to their heritage.
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Kokums Helper Society, in partnership with Niginan Housing Ventures, successfully hosted its first Memorial Round Dance on April 13, 2024, and is now planning the second of four annual ceremonies required by local protocols.
The Round Dance honors those who have passed, especially those who lacked culturally relevant care, and invites all community members to remember their ancestors together. The event, held centrally in Edmonton, aims to show care and compassion to the inner city, featuring songs, a feast, and a giveaway to promote inclusivity.
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Reuben is writing a book documenting his language revitalization efforts centered around the Cree syllabic chart, known as the spirit markers. These markers represent a deep relationality, rooted in the concept of mîyowahkohtôwin, where good relations extend to the earth, its creatures, and elements.
This book aims to preserve and share Cree laws, along with others, to remind individuals of the principles embedded in nehiyawewin and how it guides us to live in good relations.
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Ayita by Teneil Whiskeyjack is a theatre performance calling back to one’s spirit and voice, encapsulating stories of universal and personal connection to creation and land. Weaving themes told through a Cree lens of a nehiyaw iskwew, Ayita is a story expressed in voice, movement and performance art. The production is set to take place on the land in the playwright’s home community of Saddle Lake Cree Nation at Whispering Winds Wellness Retreat space, a vision built by Teneil’s Nosom (grandfather), Ben Whiskeyjack, for several years. The retreat space that promotes wellness, equine therapy and cultural preservation.
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The Land is Starving is a project aimed at reconnecting urban Indigenous people with the land through culture and art. Colonization disrupted Indigenous connections to the land, and this project seeks to heal that disconnection. It will focus on the Edmonton river valley, offering guided walks led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share land knowledge and language.
The project will also include gardening workshops to teach participants how to grow and use local plants for medicines, foods, and tools, regardless of space. Finally, participants will create a handbook featuring plants they’ve learned about, incorporating their art and photographs. This project aims to heal both the land and people by restoring reciprocal relationships and community connections.
