Sweat lodge taking shape at Edmonton public school

Grade 12 Amiskwaciy Academy student Nathaniel Davis is always keen to learn more about Indigenous culture and ceremonies, but doing it in the school gym has never felt quite right.

The Edmonton school's gym is currently home to a makeshift sweat lodge which gets used for ceremonies. But instead of hot stones heated by fire, it's heated by more modern methods.

"Currently we have a sauna in the middle of our gym and we were using that as a makeshift sweat lodge," said Davis, 17.

"I think it's really nice we have the opportunity to create our own sweat lodge which will give us a much more traditional sense of being connected to the Earth."

On Wednesday Davis, who is Métis and from Edmonton, was wearing a hard hat and reflective clothing.

He and a dozen other students are helping build a structure that will be home to a real sweat lodge just outside the school at 101 Airport Rd., just off Kingsway.

Constructed almost entirely from wood, the circular building will be a shelter for the beaverlodge-type design inside that will be tied together with rope.

In the dark space inside, the ceremonies will happen.

"It's fulfilling the vision of our founding elders to have a ceremonial site on the outside of our school," said elder Francis Whiskeyjack, who's excited to be teaching the students about pipe ceremonies in a traditional setting.

He said the heat will come from hot rocks, creating a cleansing and healing experience which will also include traditional songs from as far back as 1,000 years.

"This sweat lodge will help to rebuild the self-esteem and healing of native people," said Whiskeyjack, adding he sees the project as an important one for reconciliation.

Whiskeyjack, originally from Saddle Lake First Nation, has worked with the engineering firm Stantec on design plans.

The company also sent about 20 volunteers to help with the build Wednesday.

"It's been great working with the students, brainstorming with them and the staff, and elder Whiskeyjack as well, to understand a bit more about Indigenous culture," said Frederic Brisson, an architectural designer with Stantec.

Brisson said the mostly wooden structure should give people the feel of walking into a forest.

Construction company Ledcor is another partner with the school, leading the building part of the project along with staff and students.

While Whiskeyjack sees the students as the ones who will benefit the most, he's also keen for people in the community to learn more about Indigenous culture by taking a look as well.

"Anybody that's interested in our culture — we never refuse anybody that wants to participate in a ceremony," he said. "That's not our nature."

Nathaniel Davis and other students will be helping erect the pillars to provide the framework for the new building, as well as working on panelling and the roof.

It's expected to take about a month to put together, meaning it could be finished and ready for ceremonies by the end of October.

Amiskwaciy Academy is part of Edmonton Public Schools. It offers academic programming within an Aboriginal context.