New Indigenous art installation unveiled at YEG

A new Indigenous art installation has been revealed at the Edmonton International Airport.

The new piece created by Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal was unveiled during an event on Friday, Feb. 13, at the airport's arrivals level. Officials say the artwork will welcome travelers to Edmonton, Treaty 6, and the Métis Homeland, in advance of the 2026 International Indigenous Tourism Conference which is taking place in Edmonton from February 17-19. Nichole Thomson -- YEG's Manager of Social Impact and Indigenous Partnerships -- described the new art installation in conversation with The One.

"The installation is called Wahkohtowin -- which means our kinship with family, but also the connection to community and relationship with mother-earth," said Thomson. "There are three images depicted -- bison fields, mountain roads, and northern spirit -- that represent the land we share, the beauty of our province, and a welcome to new visitors exploring our territory."

Thomson says that the idea for the new installation came after officials recognized the need to highlight Treaty 6 as part of the arrivals level at the airport. She adds the art piece underscores the province's Indigenous roots and will be a welcome sight for travelers.

As part of his previous work, artist Lance Cardinal recently created a miniature version of St. Martin's Catholic Mission School for the Royal Alberta Museum. He said that the time he spent working on the moving piece helped him connect with his ancestral history.