The Pulse: Aug. 22, 2024

The Northern Alberta Pioneers and Descendants Association has changed the name of the iconic Pioneers Cabin on 99 Street NW to the Bison Lodge.

"We're broadening our scope to truly include Northern Alberta, and (to) create a more open and more philanthropic cause that goes beyond our membership," Mike Alexander, the executive director of both the "purposeful social club" and the lodge, told Taproot.

Alexander became executive director in October and was handed a list of priorities from the association's board. Number one on the board's list was "to investigate truth and reconciliation," Alexander said. Another list-topping item was to consider a name change for the Pioneers Cabin, which was built in 1959.

He began his work by establishing a relationship with Lewis Cardinal, a communicator and educator who is Woodland Cree from the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation. Cardinal was also the project manager for kihciy askiy-Sacred Land ceremonial site among the many hats he wears in Edmonton.

The relationship blossomed from a conversation about a bison head that Parks Canada gifted the association many years ago, and whether the association should give it to an Indigenous group.

"You've had it since 1920 or 1930, it's as much your history as it is ours," Alexander recalled Cardinal saying. "The bison was really important for pioneers and the Indigenous community."

The bison idea grew from there. Cardinal pointed out that at one time, bison crossed the plains, traversed the Mill Creek Ravine, and would be visible from where the lodge now stands. He told Taproot that the bison head sparked a conversation.

"We were talking about the issue of the name Pioneers Cabin and some of the colonial baggage that comes along with that," Cardinal said. "Not to discount the pioneers' experience by any means. They have their own story, and it should be honoured. But I said, 'Have you considered changing the name? I think the bison is kind of pointing us in that direction.'"

The Pioneers Cabin name was adopted in 2020. Before then, the cabin was known as the Old Timers Cabin.

• A Court of King's Bench justice granted Coun. Jennifer Rice a judicial review and a court order, preventing Edmonton city council from sanctioning Rice for alleged code of conduct violations until the judicial review is finished. Earlier this month, court documents confirmed that integrity commissioner Jamie Pytel investigated allegations against Rice for bullying and creating a hostile work environment, allegations that were first reported in November, and that Pytel substantiated four allegations of harassment and one of discrimination. Rice's lawyer says she argues the investigation lacked procedural fairness and wants the report thrown out.
• EPCOR announced it will match donations up to $250,000 to the Build with Boyle Legacy Campaign, which Boyle Street Community Services will put toward the operating costs of the new King Thunderbird Centre. Boyle Street's executive director Jordan Reiniger said the organization had a "very successful" capital campaign, and is now transitioning to an endowment to meet the building's operational needs. The Build with Boyle campaign raised $24 million from the community and $21 million from the Canadian government, while the province is one of the largest funders of ongoing programming and services, Reiniger said.
• The City of Edmonton says rehabilitation work on William Hawrelak Park is on schedule and on budget. The City closed the park last year for extensive renovations, including updating electrical systems, repaving roads, and grading the lake. So far crews have completed the replacement of deep utility services, built a new retaining wall by the main pavilion, and installed infrastructure for pathway lighting. The City also said crews have removed fewer trees than expected. The project is expected to be done in late 2025, with the park scheduled to reopen in 2026.
• EPCOR paused its treatment of a west Edmonton stormwater pond with rotenone, a chemical used to destroy invasive species like goldfish, after residents expressed concern to a provincial agency. Residents asked EPCOR to implement an "alternative management approach" by next year, and some dispute EPCOR's claim that rotenone is not harmful to humans. EPCOR said it expects a response from the provincial agency "in the near future."
• The inaugural Black Business Edmonton Trade Fair is set for Aug. 24 at Fort Edmonton Park. Organized by Black Business Edmonton (BBE), the event expects to host 90 vendors and more than 1,000 attendees. BBE founder Ibukun Orefuja and lead event planner Ajibike Akinrinwale spoke to CTV News about the trade fair.
• The Edmonton Valley Zoo has euthanized a 16-year-old tiger named Taiga due to age-related medical issues. The tiger came to Edmonton from Ontario as a kitten in 2008. She was known for her "outgoing personality and goofy nature," and she would often greet her care team and the zoo's other tiger, Amba, the zoo said in a social media post.
• A new 1.5-acre park in Sherwood Park dedicated to Strathcona County resident Helen Lavender will officially open on Aug. 25. Lavender, who died in 2015, contributed to the community as a municipal councillor, volunteer, and storyteller. She was, among other things, the first-ever driver of the county's Library Bookmobile, which remains in use, and founder of the Strathcona chapter of Storytelling Alberta. The park was built in the Hearthstone community by developer Mattamy Homes.

Here are opportunities to inform municipal decisions on downtown parking, rezonings, and more. Please only answer surveys from municipalities where you are a resident.

• Centre City Temporary Parking Lot Program — The City of Edmonton wants feedback on a proposed program that would require owners of some downtown surface lots to apply for a temporary development permit. Obtaining a permit would require meeting minimum requirements for setbacks, paths, barrier-free spaces, grading, lighting, and landscaping. The program aims to balance parking availability with density and vibrancy goals, and no new lots will be created through the program, administration says. Residents can ask a question or share their thoughts on an online discussion board until Aug. 25.
• Granville Rezonings — The City of Edmonton recieved a request to rezone five existing zonings around Winterburn Road (215 Street NW) and Glastonbury Boulevard in the Granville neighbourhood. If approved, the rezonings would allow for various commercial, office, and service developments, including development along Winterburn Road and two residential buildings up to six storeys. Residents can ask a question or share their thoughts until Aug. 25.
• Municipal Development Plan — The Town of Morinville seeks feedback to inform the creation a new Municipal Development Plan. Residents can take a survey until Aug. 30.

More input opportunities

• Until Aug. 31: Business Census (City of Edmonton)
• Until Sept. 2: Priority Growth Areas Rezoning (City of Edmonton)
• Until Sept. 6: Submissions for Made in Leduc County cookbook — 2nd edition (Leduc County)
• Until Sept. 20: Traffic calming in Mission, North Ridge, Oakmont, and Riverside (City of St. Albert)
• Until Oct. 20: Naturalization Survey (City of Edmonton)

Photo: The City of Edmonton is considering a permitting program for surface parking lots downtown. In April, a staff report revealed there were more than 100 illegal surface parking lots operating downtown. (Kevin Holowack)

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Introduction to Social Finance starting at 11am online
• Affordable Financing for Green Homes and Businesses in Alberta starting at 12pm online
• Book Clubs of EPL: The Lioness starting at 1:30pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Riverbend)
• Wild Mushroom Walks starting at 1:30pm at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden
• Dragon's Fest: Savour Chinatown Food Tour starting at 3:30pm at CTC Storytelling Centre
• Evening At The Mac starting at 5pm at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
• Edmonton Data Science Community August Event starting at 5:30pm at NorQuest College
• Thirsty Thursday: Town Square Brewing starting at 6pm at Snow Valley
• Festival in the Garden starting at 6pm at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden
• Presence and Paying Attention starting at 6:30pm at the Creative Hive
• Astronaut Bootcamp starting at 7pm at the TELUS World of Science Edmonton
• Pride Screening Event starting at 7:30pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Until Aug. 25: Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Sept. 6: India Film Festival of Alberta at the Winspear Centre
• Sept. 6-8: Purple City Music Festival
• Sept. 7-8: Strathearn Art Walk & Music Festival at Strathearn Drive

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.