In the heart of Edmonton, a group of Indigenous young men and women are coming together to reconnect with their culture, their history, and one another through the act of creation. Each week, they gather to learn traditional skills—making jewelry, belts, and crafts that have been passed down through generations. These practices offer more than just technique—they offer a way to feel rooted, even in the midst of one of Canada’s largest cities.
As they work with their hands, they also slow down the pace of city life, finding calm and purpose in a shared space. With the support of a youth coordinator, guidance from knowledge keepers and an Elder, and the comfort of good food, the group is building something lasting—not just crafts, but connection, confidence, and community. Through the seasons, their gatherings continue, reminding them that culture lives in practice, in relationship, and in the time we take to be together with care.
VIDEA would like to acknowledge the ancestral, traditional and unceded Indigenous territories of the WS’ANEC’ (Saanich), Tsartlip and Tsawout (central Saanich), Lekwungen (Songhees), Wyomilth (Esquimalt) and T’Sou-ke (Sooke) Coast Salish Peoples, on whose territory we work, live and play.