Ceremonial sweat lodge unveiled at Edmonton public school

Victoria Cryer feels fortunate to have attended many traditional sacred ceremonies in her life, so she was honoured to help build a new sweat lodge at her own high school.

The Grade 12 student was there Friday for the unveiling of the sweat lodge outside the main building at Amiskwaciy Academy at the old municipal airport.

"It's a legacy for the school and for the elders that passed on," said Cryer. "I'm really proud to have helped with it."

She said attending cleansing ceremonies has helpedher boyfriend deal with his grandfather's battle with cancer.

Though she'llgraduatesoon, Cryer is thrilled that students following in her footsteps will for the first time have access to such traditional ceremonies on school property.

More than 250 mostly Indigenous students attend Amiskwaciy, which offers programming through an aboriginal lens.

The ribbon was cut Friday to unveil the new building, which has been a long-time dream for FrancisWhiskeyjack, the school's elder and spiritual leader.

"This will help build self-esteem for our students, and enable healing for our community," said Whiskeyjack, who until now has travelled with students to places like Poundmakers Lodge in St. Albert to hold ceremonies.

He'll now use the new sweat lodge as part of everyday teachings he sees as critical in connectingstudents to their culture.

'That ceremony in itself is really sacred'

8 years ago

Duration 1:24

Amiskwaciy Academy celebrates grand opening of sweat lodge

Whiskeyjack saidthe pitch darkness inside a sweat lodge, in addition to the heat from the fire and hot stones, creates an atmosphere that encourages learning and healing.

"We actually physically sweat, and it's a physical cleansing," he said. "But it's more than that. It's a cleansing of spirit, cleansing of mind, cleansing of emotion."

Whiskeyjack said sparks from the fire can feel magical for those taking part.

The elder was instrumental in offering ideas for the design of the new structure, made almost entirely from natural materials, mainly wood.

"We wanted it in a circular fashion. It's symbolic of the life journey," he said.

The new building, he said, will be ideal for pipe ceremonies and for sharing stories and songs.

Edmonton companies helped with design and construction

The project was made possible by two Edmonton companies. Stantec did the design and architectural work, and Ledcor did the construction. Both worked for no charge.

"It's part of our community service, we love ideas like this," said Stantec senior vice-president Keith Shillington.

He said the design of a sweat lodge was a first for Stantec.

The school wants Edmontonians to experience the sweat lodge as a part of reconciliation. Principal Fred Hines said any group in the city that wants to make a request is free to do so.

He expects the first ceremony to happen some time before Christmas.

Cryer, 18, wants Amiskwaciy students to value everything the new building will bring.

"I hope a lot of students and a lot of kids attend these sweat lodges, because it's an important part of our culture."