Lethbridge City Hall. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Community weighs in on potential Indigenous Cultural Centre in Lethbridge

Jan 22, 2020 | 1:44 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Dozens of groups weighed in on what they think of an Indigenous Cultural Centre possibly being built in Lethbridge, the merits of it, and what programs and services it could offer.

Out of 13 applicants who applied to conduct a feasibility study on the city’s behalf, Manasc Isaac Architects was awarded $300,000 by the City of Lethbridge. They worked closely alongside the city’s Indigenous Relations Advisor Perry Stein.

Those who provided input include First Nations in southern Alberta, schools, organizations involved with economic development, community services, members of city council, financial agencies, and conversations and online surveys with the general public.

Some of the suggestions they made are:

• The Indigenous Cultural Centre needs to be a physical place people can go to
• It should be a culturally-safe place for people to come together and take part in Indigenous cultural practices and celebrations
• It should connect existing programs and events in the city
• The practice of the Blackfoot language and Indigenous cultural education by Indigenous peoples is of the utmost importance
• It should aim to break down physical and cultural barriers, creating a bridge between cultures
• The centre should provide connections to the natural world, community role models, and Elders
• It should not aim to duplicate services already being provided
• The centre should offer a space for ceremonial practices and traditions
• It should be grounded in history and be future-oriented
• The centre should highlight Blackfoot culture while being inclusive of all Indigenous groups

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Stein explains that they originally went into the consultation process with an idea of having a “blue sky” approach to programs and services, where the facility could offer numerous different things.

Many suggestions were made regarding language and learning programs, facilities for visual and performing arts, a community kitchen, a range of health and wellness services, opportunities for economic development, being a place of gathering and culture, and functioning as a “voice of the land.”

“It was the community’s input into this process that, if an Indigenous Cultural Centre were to be built in this city, that it should try its best to try not to compete with existing resources and existing programs and services, but really try to strengthen them or try to better connect them,” says Stein.

Vivian Manasc with Manasc Isaac Architects said groups at Writing-On-Stone do not offer any programming during the winter months and that they have expressed interest in potentially working with the Indigenous Cultural Centre to do so.

Councillor Belinda Crowson asked how the centre could appeal to everyone in the community and not just those who are Indigenous.

Stein replied that this is a very important consideration to them, and while they cannot be “everything to everyone”, he has heard from non-Indigenous peoples that they too are interested in learning about the cultures and traditions of those who have long-since occupied the area.

The question of the facility’s ownership structure has not yet been decided. Manasc suggested having a community group own and operate it, while the City of Lethbridge would have some sort of a facilitator role.

City council is expecting to hear from Stein once again at their February meeting.

He said he will present more formal asks to council.

Regardless of if city council decides to continue supporting the Indigenous Cultural Centre, Stein says it would still likely be at least a few years before they could potentially open.