The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Arts Council are pleased to announce that visual artist Dawn Marie Marchand’s piece “The Longest Journey” will be installed for a short time in Rossdale. Dawn Marie, a Cree and Métis visual artist from Cold Lake and the City’s former Indigenous Artist in Residence, was inspired to create the piece around an Indigenous teaching about making the (often difficult) journey from “head knowledge to heart knowledge.” Dawn Marie was drawn to show the piece in Rossdale given its long and layered history. She will be adapting the piece to the location, shining a light on the traditional Cree water ceremonies that used to be conducted in the area.

Though some logistics are still being finalized, the intent is for the art piece to be installed at the green space west of RE/MAX Field from September 30 to October 7, with a possibility of extension to October 14 (weather permitting).

The artist would like to invite all Rossdale residents to come and experience the art installation. She will be on-site every evening from 6-8pm to talk with visitors and document the piece as it evolves.

The City and Edmonton Arts Council are supporting this piece as part of ongoing efforts to pilot approaches to storytelling and heritage interpretation through the arts and events in the Rossdale area over the fall.

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Looking for Rossdale Stewards

Due to some of the ceremonial metaphor, this installation will be handled with great care and protocol under the advisement of Elders.

We would like to extend an invitation to local residents to act as stewards for this installation. If anyone is interested in visiting the site during the day to help keep an eye on it and report any damage or mess, that would be greatly appreciated. The artist will be on-site in the evenings, but more eyes on the piece are welcome.

Rossdale stewards can report any issues to Olive Bailey (780) 442-0698 and James Haney

(780) 944-0891.