The Pulse: July 1, 2021

Nadine Riopel wanted to know what she could do to make things better in the wake of the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools, with many more likely to be found.

She had read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action. But they are overwhelmingly actions for governments and other institutions to take — there's not a lot there for individual Canadians to do. So then she thought she could ask candidates who are running for office what they plan to do to enact and uphold the TRC. And the timing seemed right with a municipal election coming up in October.

That's when she realized the City of Edmonton had already issued its response to the TRC, in the form of the Indigenous Framework, which city council endorsed in February after an extensive consultation with a panel of Indigenous leaders. And her heart sank.

"I felt like the machine was telling me, 'It's fine, it's being taken care of, don't worry about it.' Meanwhile, the media and the activist community and current events are telling me it's not fine and you need to do something about that."

Is there more she can do? Yes. But first, let's understand what the Indigenous Framework is.

• The site of the Charles Camsell Hospital — a former Indian Hospital in the Inglewood neighbourhood — will be searched for remains thanks to an online petition and a stand-in organized by two Edmonton women. Developer Gene Hub has hired personnel to undertake ground penetrating radar (GPR) scans of the site, which is currently being developed for multi-family residences.
• A century-old catholic church in Morinville was destroyed in a suspicious fire on Wednesday — the latest in a series of suspected arsons against Catholic sites. The blazes, which began after the discovery of mass unmarked graves at former residential school sites in B.C. and Saskatchewan, have been condemned by both politicians and Indigenous leaders.
• A man who threatened Muslim women on three separate occasions was sentenced to 210 days in jail for the hate-motivated attacks.
• The victim of a cold case has been identified as Gordon Edwin Sanderson, a 26-year-old Indigenous man and Sixties Scoop survivor, who had been living in Edmonton. Dubbed 'Septic Tank Sam,' Sanderson was identified using DNA 44 years after his body was found on a farm in Tofield, Alta.
• A sentencing decision in the case of Bradley Barton, the man who killed Metis and Cree woman Cindy Gladue, will be given on July 27. The Crown is seeking a prison sentence of 18 to 20 years.
• The province's decision to keep a larger portion of fine revenues is hurting municipalities across the province, CBC News reports. Edmonton is estimated to have lost over $11 million in provincial fine revenues in 2020-21.
• Edmontonians no longer have to prebook a slot when visiting city-operated recreation centres, indoor pools, the Edmonton Valley Zoo and the Muttart Conservatory. Timed-entry tickets will still be required for the city's three outdoor pools to manage the high demand.
• Twenty-one years since developing the Edmonton Protocol — a novel treatment for Type 1 diabetes — the University of Alberta has performed its 700th islet cell infusion and is looking toward developing better treatment.

It's been nearly three years since Fort Edmonton Park closed its gates to undergo a significant renovation, and preview audiences eagerly snagged a glimpse of the $165 million worth of updates prior to the official, unmasked reopening on July 1.

For an event destination that in its past mainly celebrated the city's settler history, it was important to highlight the legacy of the area's Indigenous peoples in its new incarnation. As the country reckons with the discoveries of children's mass graves at residential school sites, the Fort's new Indigenous Peoples Experience provides a timely opportunity for reflection and respect.

"There has been a long history of removing us from culture," said Chief Vernon Watchmaker, Grand Chief for the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations. "But our resilience is very strong."

Created in consultation with the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, elders, and community members, the Indigenous Peoples Experience is a 30,000 square-foot immersive, indoor exhibit that explores First Nations and Métis culture through narrative story, live interpreters, interactive technology, and audio-visual components. The displays employ stories, music, artwork, and text from local Indigenous contributors and artists.

"This is a true legacy project that was the first of its kind as everything began with ceremony. We are proud to have been a part of the creation of this facility. It is a wonderful model of what can be accomplished when we all work together," Watchmaker said in a press release. "I can't wait for the public to see it. They will certainly be amazed."

Every week in the lead up to Edmonton's municipal election on Oct. 18, we're rounding up the news and announcements you need to know to stay informed.

• Cheryll Watson intends to provide free drinking fountains across Edmonton as her fifth campaign policy. The plan would include the installation of "50 bottle refill fountains in public parks and playgrounds" and an invitation for "socially active business partners and social agencies to host drinking fountains on/in their properties."
• This week, Amarjeet Sohi launched the beginning stages of his economic development plan. Within the plan, Sohi promises support for the city's tech economy, fixes to "unnecessary permit delays," reinforcement to the creative sector, and more.
• Michael Oshry's social procurement policy debuted with seven points. While Oshry praised the city's 2019 plan, he believes the previous policy needs significant expansion.
• Brian (Breezy) Gregg has "launched his quest" to become Edmonton's mayor. As a candidate, he has challenged other candidates to release their financial information, "disclose which political party they support federally," and their hopes for future premiers and prime ministers.

A list of all of the candidates who have announced they are running in the Edmonton municipal election is available here.

Learn more about Taproot's effort to ground our election coverage in what is important to Edmontonians on our People's Agenda page.

Photo: City of Edmonton

• On July 1, the Every Child Matters rally is for those "who do not want to celebrate Canada Day but would rather help raise awareness about the residential school system, the victims, and survivors of Canada."
• Blues on Whyte Block Party will celebrate its 10th anniversary this weekend. From July 1 to 4, music-lovers can enjoy the Jack Semple Band and many other performances at the Commercial Hotel.
• Family Fishing Weekends, which is hosted only twice a year, is a free event. For the tournament, the province has supplied fishers with a wide array of catchable trout. You can find stocked lakes near you here.
• The River Valley Alliance organized a virtual scavenger hunt that kicks off July 1. Explore the North Saskatchewan with 160 kilometres of pathways in 14 locations. Those who snap photos in the secret locations are entered to win prizes.
• Fargos Restaurant and Lounge invites patrons to a pig roast and live "roaring twenties" music performance on July 3 at 7pm. Tickets are $25 and include a complimentary drink.

Photo: River Valley Alliance