Treaty No. 6 Recognition Day is Friday, August 27. Cloverdale Community League is proud to be located in Ward Métis.
This year marks the first municipal election with the new ward names and redrawn boundaries. Cloverdale was previously within Ward 8, and is now part of Ward Métis.
The City notes that “because of their integral part in the formation of the city, this ward has been given the name Métis to honor a cornerstone in Edmonton’s history.”
Métis people & Edmonton
The Métis nation are descendants of Indigenous women, such as the Cree and Ojibway, and French and Scottish fur traders from the early 1700s. The Métis people have developed a distinct culture and nationhood.
As the fur trade slowed, many Métis people set up farms on ‘river lots’ near Fort Edmonton. These sectioned-off parcels of land lined the river while also allowing access to the woods and cultivated areas. This system became an integral part of the formation and design of Edmonton.
“Métis” is pronounced “may-tea” and originates from the Indigenous language of Michif.
The Naming Committee
After City Council redrew the ward boundaries in May 2020, Indigenous Elders and community members asked Council to consider naming the 12 newly amended wards with Indigenous names. This was approved, and a committee was formed to explore possibilities.
The ward names were gifted to the City by iyiniw iskwewak wihtwawin, a committee of Indigenous Matriarchs. The all-female group was formed as an opportunity for reconciliation. Traditionally, women are upheld as community leaders in Indigenous cultures, and this opportunity allowed for matriarchs to reclaim their community roles.
The 17 committee members represent Anishinaabe, Blackfoot, Cree, Dene, Inuit, Iroquois (Michel Band), Métis and Sioux nations. During naming discussions, committee members reached out to their Elders and communities for input and guidance.
Other Ward Names
The 11 other wards are named:
- Nakota Isga
- Anirniq ᐊᓂᕐᓂᖅ
- tastawiyiniwak ᑕᐢᑕᐃᐧᔨᓂᐊᐧᐠ
- Dene
- O-day’min
- sipiwiyiniwak
- papastew
- pihêsiwin ᐱᐦᐁᓯᐏᐣ
- Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi
- Karhiio
- Sspomitapi
The City has provided information on each ward, including the history and meaning behind each of the names, pronunciation guides, languages of origin, videos, and further information about the naming process on their website:
