Amiskwaciy

Amiskwaciy

Firstly, let us respectfully acknowledge that Treaty 6 territory, is the traditional gathering place, travelling route and home for many Indigenous Peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Dene, Saulteaux, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence the vibrancy and wholeness of our community. 

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Edmonton was named for a district of London, England, but its traditional name holds a beautiful and diverse history that transcends the current namesake. The name for the modern-day Edmonton area is amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, meaning Beaver Hills House in Nehiyawewin (Cree); Edmonton is also located on Métis Region 4. Historically, Beaver Hills was an important region for the Nehiyawak (Cree), Anishnaabe (Saulteaux), the Nakota Sioux,  the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, and Tsuut’ina (Sarcee). Dense forests, large plains, and bodies of water offered resources of replenishment for different Nations through hunting, gathering, and fishing — as well as a place of rest for journeys between the hills and prairies, which happened each spring and fall. 

Due to the fact that the lives of settlers are deeply entrenched in these areas, it is easy to become desensitized to, or removed from, the poignant history that they hold. Activity in Beaver Hills can be traced back over 8,000 years, and archaeologists have found 200 Indigenous tool-making and camping sites. The fact that we normally refer to these places in ways that are not accurate to the ancestral namesakes — like the many places in Edmonton and surrounding areas named for colonial historical figures — may divert us from standing in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.  Not only is it important to educate ourselves on Canadian history to better understand the role we play in this country, it is equally important to acknowledge and use these names as a constant reminder of the wholeness of the history of this country, beyond just what we have experienced of it. Aside from exploring the identities and histories of our personal names, it is necessary to explore the relationship between colonial terms for the places we —  as settlers — populate and how we conceptualize our identities on this land.