City introduces legacy paddle as a symbol of reconciliation

A paddle that was carved by Spirit Tree Paddle Company and designed by local Métis artist Sharon Rose Kootenay was unveiled on Sunday.

The city has introduced an Indigenous legacy paddle as a symbol of connection and reconciliation.

Carved by the Spirit Tree Paddle Company and designed by local Metis artist Sharon Rose Kootenay, the paddle is made to represent the flow of the North Saskatchewan River.

The paddle was introduced at the Canadian Municipalities Conference and Trade Show Sunday afternoon, and will travel from conference to conference.

It is also adorned with official flowers of all the provinces and territories, beaded onto the paddle in the style of traditional Metis beading.

“It’s great for people to learn, for adults to teach their children what some of those flowers are, to perhaps connect to the natural environment by looking for those flowers,” said Kootenay.

The paddle also represents the ethnogenesis of Metis people, said the artist.

“It’s such an appropriate motif, especially for us being Metis voyageurs that travelled to the fort and the fur trade.”

Mayor Andrew Knack said the paddle signifies the progression of leadership.

“The significance of the paddle being able to go across the country is something that I think is really ties back to indigenous peoples from across the country,” explained the mayor. “It’s exciting to know that it begins here and will continue across Canada for many, many, many years to come.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti