The Pulse: June 18, 2025

The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society is hosting its first standalone powwow at Borden Park on June 28 to shine a spotlight on two-spirit people and what makes them who they are.

"It is quite rare to have opportunities to be together and to showcase, as two-spirit people, because a lot of the time, we are not accepted in the powwow circle," Lena Green, the interim executive director and financial controller for E2S, told Taproot.

The circle is a sacred, central part of powwows, which are events filled with performances, storytelling, and Indigenous cultural celebrations. They are family friendly and have a specific etiquette.

The format and programming of a powwow vary based on who runs and participates in them, but Green said they often include gendered dance categories that don't make all feel welcome.

"We aren't allowed to show up as we are," Green, who is Métis, said. "People want us to be able to dance in the category they see that we belong in, not the ones that we feel that we belong in. So, this is really important for not just two-spirit people, but everybody, to be able to be accepted into the circle."

The E2S powwow will have several dance categories that have cash prizes. It will be co-emceed by burlesque artist Autumn EagleSpeaker, a member of the Kainai First Nation, and drag performer Ladonna Cree, whose profile describes herself as a two-spirit nehiyaw from Montreal Lake First Nation, part of Treaty Six.

Green said the two bring a mix of traditional and outside-the-box energy for guests. The powwow will also feature 20 artisan vendors and six food vendors. It will begin with a private ceremony at 10am before general entry at noon.

This is the first standalone two-spirit powwow that E2S has hosted, but the non-profit has held one as part of other festivals for the last three years, often at Churchill Square. That the two-spirit powwow is the main attraction, not a piece of a greater whole, matters to Green and the people her organization serves, she said.

"We thought that it was really important that we take it on ourselves … and we thought that it really deserved its own day, its own festival, its own meaning," she said." She added that moving the event from Churchill Square to Borden Park is better for dancers, who can strut their stuff more comfortably on grass than cement.

• Edmonton city council's community and public services committee is recommending that council reinstate towing during winter parking bans but reduce the parking ban violation fine from $250 to $150. Coun. Erin Rutherford said the current $250 fine, implemented in 2022, is too high, particularly for seniors and refugees. A City of Edmonton report indicated that Edmonton's fine is higher than those in Calgary, Fort McMurray, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, and Halifax, but unlike Edmonton, those cities tow vehicles. The committee voted to recommend spending about $100,000 on towing and to reduce the fine to $150, with a $100 option for early payment.
• Edmonton city council's urban planning committee approved a motion on June 17 asking administration to prepare amendments to zoning bylaw 20001, reducing the maximum number of homes allowed on interior lots in the small-scale residential (RS) zone from eight to six, despite opposition from some residents and housing advocates. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi acknowledged concerns about density but emphasized the importance of infill goals for financial and environmental sustainability. The proposed changes are scheduled for a public hearing on June 30. The RS zone, which was introduced to increase urban density, has already led to more multi-dwelling housing permits, particularly for row housing, according to City of Edmonton administration.
• The Edmonton Downtown Business Association hosted a summit on June 17 to discuss improving downtown safety and vibrancy. Attendees, including residents, business owners, and nonprofit organizations, addressed issues like security, affordable housing, and drug use. The association said it is seeking funding to run its Downtown Core Patrol Service during the day, in addition to the current overnight patrols. Community leaders cited the need for more support in Edmonton's social services sector and suggested that government employees returning to offices would improve vibrancy.
• The Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup hopes were dashed for the second consecutive year as they fell to the Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 6 of the final, ending the series 4-2. Despite Edmonton's strong start, defensive errors led to a 2-0 deficit in the first period. Florida's Sam Reinhart scored four goals. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's efforts were not enough to overcome Florida's defence.
• As students head into summer break, the ALERT Internet Child Exploitation unit is warning Alberta parents about the rise of AI-generated deepfakes in child sexual abuse investigations. These realistic-looking images, videos, and audio recordings are being used for cyberbullying and harassment in schools, according to Const. Stephanie Bosch. She encouraged parents to discuss online activities with their children and create a safe space for them to report such incidents.
• Edmonton's Jasper Place High School has discovered asbestos and notified students and staff of potential exposure. The discovery was made after a wall was taken down in the boys locker room by a non-staff member at the school.
• NAIT autobody students have spent months restoring a 1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible that was used during Queen Elizabeth II's 1951 visit to Canada. The car will be on display at NAIT's annual car show on June 21 at the school's Patricia campus. It runs from 12pm to 4pm.
• Alberta voters can cast ballots in three provincial byelections. The seats became vacant following the resignations of Rachel Notley in Edmonton-Strathcona, Rod Loyola in Edmonton-Ellerslie, and Nathan Cooper in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is running in Edmonton-Strathcona. In Edmonton-Ellerslie, UCP candidate Naresh Bhardwaj is facing off against NDP candidate Gurtej Singh Brar. Cam Davies, leader of the Alberta Republican Party, is running in Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills, where Tara Sawyer is the UCP candidate and Beverley Toews is the NDP candidate. Advance polls are open until June 21, with election day on June 23.
• The Health Sciences Association of Alberta, representing 30,000 healthcare workers, is urging Premier Danielle Smith's government to continue providing free COVID-19 vaccines to all front-line workers and Albertans. Union vice-president Leanne Alfaro argues that vaccines are crucial for protecting vulnerable individuals and maintaining a strong healthcare system. The province's new policy aims to reduce waste and recover costs by limiting free COVID shots to those most in need, meaning most Albertans, including healthcare workers and independently living seniors, will have to pay out of pocket.
• The Canadian government will launch the Canada Strong Pass on June 21, offering free admission for several attractions, including national historic sites, parks, and marine conservation areas, plus a 25% discount on camping fees. The pass also provides free admission to national museums for children aged 17 and under, and a 50% discount for young adults aged 18 to 24.

Correction: This file has been updated to reflect that it was urban planning committee, not Edmonton city council as a whole, that passed a motion asking administration to prepare amendments to reduce the maximum number of residences from eight to six on interior lots in the small-scale residential zone.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Community Coffee Takeover: Scrappy Marketing starting at 9am at Edmonton Unlimited
• The Air We Breathe: Wildfire Smoke and Particulate Matter Impacts starting at 12pm online
• ECAMP Curiosity Walking Tours - Ukrainian Ties starting at 12:30pm at Central McDougall Park
• Native Bees 101 and Pollinator Walk starting at 1pm at St. Albert Botanic Park
• Plan Today, Protect Tomorrow: Wills & Estates Information Session starting at 1:30pm at 414 King Street (Spruce Grove)
• Assisting with Personal and Intimate Care starting at 2pm online
• Build Your Own Bee Box starting at 5pm at Servus Place
• Let Me Explain! Presentation Night starting at 6pm at Labo Coffee YEG
• Fulton Place Garden Tour starting at 6pm at The Sunshine Garden
• Summer Sessions starting at 6:30pm at Heritage Park Pavilion
• Book Launch: Chyana Marie Sage starting at 7pm at Audreys Books
• Sit Down Tasting with Winemaker Jean-Francois Hébrard starting at 7pm at Crestwood Fine Wines and Spirits

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• June 21: Blatchford Block Party at Littlewood Park
• June 25: Take the Next Step: Navigating Commercial Leases at Northern Alberta Business Incubator Society
• June 28: All the King's Men: Mansplaining with Drag Kings at Grindstone Theatre

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