You bend to enter the teepee in the library’s atrium, and the familiar rumble of voices and movement dampens. Sound works differently inside. You take a moment to absorb your new-found peace, and your gaze drifts upward. High above, you can see the library ceiling through the open top where canvas meets air. It makes you wonder, before the library was built and the land seized, what would you have seen?
In honour of National Indigenous History Month, the Stanley Milner Library has brought in a teepee to host events showcasing Indigenous art and history. Library-goers can stop in to learn about the Michif language, try their hand at Métis crafts or explore Métis traditions, and families can bring their kids to a Story Stop where Indigenous stories take the spotlight.
Don’t be afraid to step inside and experience the teepee for yourself. Everyone is welcome, and the Edmonton Public Library encourages people to be curious and ask questions.
While the teepee installation is temporary, the Stanley Milner Library reserves a permanent space for Indigenous programming year-round. In response to popular request, EPL built PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN: an urban refuge for hosting ceremonies and events, smudging, and reflection. The design of PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN is the result of years of community feedback and the knowledge of Elder Jo-Ann Saddleback, who ensured the room was built according to nehiyaw (Cree) philosophies.
The floors, walls and ceiling are all made from poplar, a tree significant to the nehiyawak (Plains Cree people) because it was the first tree to grow within this Treaty Six territory. Small perforations in the wall panels insulate the space from outside sound, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The entrances are on the south and east sides of the room per nehiyaw protocols. Included in the space is a collection of rock floor cushions that allows people to sit grounded and close to the earth.
PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN is also the first public space in Edmonton made for smudging. The room was built with its own HVAC system so, with the flip of a switch, people can smudge without fear of triggering the fire alarms. EPL welcomes everyone to visit the space and learn about smudging and its importance to Indigenous people.
On June 20th, the Stanley Milner Library is hosting an Open House and Community Tea event in PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN where attendees can learn more about EPL’s Indigenous services and their Elders in Residence program.
To discover more of the Stanley Milner Library’s Indigenous programming, check out our National Indigenous History Month event round-up. You can also visit their events page here to see what they have in store for the coming months.