River Valley News - Sept 22, 2022

Malcolm Groat namesake for Groat Road, Groat Ravine, and Groat Park
Malcolm Groat was one of the first settlers to lay claim to land outside of the palisades of Fort Edmonton. Within a few years of beginning his Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) career at the age of 25, Groat was deployed to Fort Edmonton.

There he served as steward to the fort’s most senior officer, Chief Factor William Joseph Christie, who was Métis. Aside from attending to Christie’s personal needs, Groat’s main responsibilities were the company farm and pack trains. In 1870, Malcolm Groat ended up marrying the boss's daughter, Marguerite Christie.

In 1878, at the age of 39, Malcolm left the HBC. He and Marguerite began farming land he had staked in 1870, when the HBC had surrendered most of its land to the Dominion of Canada. As the surrendered land hadn’t been surveyed yet, Malcolm was able to stake claim to 900 acres, more than a square mile, on the west side of the land that the HBC had retained for itself.

The Groat homestead became known as Groat Estates. Their River Lot stretched from present day 121 Street to 149 Street, and from the North Saskatchewan river to roughly 111 Avenue. To put that in contemporary terms, the homestead spanned all of Westmount, Glenora, North Glenora, Grovenor, and McQueen. More at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kIzIOHyHL1iDpVMbB_IzDHCh1Z0flB0a/view

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is September 30
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day designated to honour the survivors of and the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as their families and communities. This day is Call to Action 80, a federal statutory day of commemoration, as set out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in its final report which details 94 calls to action to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous peoples.

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event, held in Williams Lake, BC, in the spring of 2013, that was inspired by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission. Since then, this day has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.

On September 30, a Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk will be held to raise funds for OrangeShirtDay.org and local grassroots movements including promoting and supporting Indigenous athletes. It will be a pavement and trail run through YEG river valley trails, starting at Kinsmen Park, and includes three distances of 5km, 10km and a kid 2.15km race. Info and registration at https://raceroster.com/events/2022/62466/orange-shirt-day-runwalk

Ghost magpies add intrigue to Edmonton’s urban wildlife
Ghost magpies are birds that, through a genetic mutation, exhibit imperfect albinism. The mutation means the amount of black pigmentation in their feathers is much lower than in normal black-billed magpies, giving them a distinct white-grey colouring and, curiously, blue eyes.

According to Royal Alberta Museum ornithologist Jocelyn Hudon, the phenomenon is highly unusual, and Edmonton could be called the world’s ghost magpie capital. The prevalence of the odd avians in Edmonton likely traces back to a single magpie that displayed the mutation many years ago, Hudon says. Over time, more birds have taken on the distinct quality or have carried the mutation, making ghost magpies a trademark of Edmonton’s urban wildlife.

The mutation that causes the discolouration is recessive, meaning that both parents must possess the ghostly gene for a child to inherit it. That means, much like humans don’t have to be left-handed to carry the recessive trait of left-handedness, there’s many normal-looking magpies in Edmonton that carry imperfect albinism. More at https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/rare-albino-magpie-spotted-in-edmonton

Buffalo Wallow Natural Play Area
The entrance to Gold Bar Park may feature The Magpie & The Buffalo Treaty, a new piece of art, but further in is the Buffalo Wallow Natural Play Area. A buffalo wallow is a topographical depression in the flat prairie which holds rainwater and serves as a watering hole for animals. Bison used these spots to roll in the dirt to remove pests like ticks and mosquitos.

Bison were vital to the Blackfoot people, as to all Indigenous peoples of the plains. The Blackfoot had established words and meanings for their migration patterns, which often coincided with the change of the seasons. In honour of the bison roaming north yearly, one of the City of Edmonton’s wards was given the name Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi, which means the migration of the bison north for calving season in Blackfoot.

It is known that bison would migrate up to 300 kilometres north of the North Saskatchewan River to the safety of artesian wells to gather for the winter. The Blackfoot (Nitsitapi) are often associated with Southern Alberta, but their traditional migration patterns followed the bison up to the North Saskatchewan River. Watch video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFDXfLWUzxw&t=2s

River valley trees and beavers
Raquel writes “I am curious about the tree caging philosophy of the city. Do they cage trees to prevent felling too much, not enough, or just right? I can see caging an occasional “prize” but otherwise I would tend to let the beaver fell what the wish. Who could we ask to find out about their approach?

The places in Dawson Park where beavers have cut young poplar show tremendous new growth. Studies have shown as beaver cull trees they create light gaps for younger trees resulting in structural diversity. Sometimes beavers will even create sapling gardens where rapidly growing saplings can sustain them for a long time.

New art installed in Kinnaird Ravine
Community effort from creation to installation by Parkdale Cromdale Community League in partnership with CreArt Edmonton.

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712

River Valley News - Sept 15, 2022

The Magpie & The Buffalo Treaty
A new piece of art in Gold Bar Park by Indigenous artist Matthew James Weigel was recently celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The piece was commissioned by Epcor and installed at the new ambient air quality monitoring station in the park. The viewer is invited to walk around the artwork and think about the following story.

Since time immemorial, magpies and buffalo have lived together in a symbiotic relationship, a treaty. Magpies act as an alarm, a companion, and eater of pests that might harm the buffalo. Buffalo act as a protector, a companion, and food source by kicking up insects for the magpies to eat as they disturb the ground while they walk.

As the buffalo migrate back and forth across the Great Plains, the magpies follow along with them on the journey. In this place, at this river, the magpies and buffalo would gather until it was safe to cross together and continue their migration.

The magpies remember the treaty and they honour it by remembering and waiting here for their companions to return. This is why there are so many magpies here. They wait, and they remember, and they share this story with us until the buffalo return home. More at https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/community-artworks-unveiled-in-city-parks-saturday-1.6063732

Ortona Arts Armoury used to be a naval base
The Ortona Armoury building in Rossdale is undergoing construction and rehabilitation work. For the last 30 years, the building has been used as studio space for artists/arts groups who have tenancy agreements with the City. In 2004, the building was designated as a Municipal Historic Resource which legally protects it from demolition or alterations to the structure.

In 1913, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) sold 75% of its property in Edmonton, keeping only one corner lot and one adjoining lot. They built brick stables and a warehouse, south of which was a pasture for delivery horses. From 1924 to 1927 the Edmonton Pure Butter Company operated here and in 1925 produced over 750,000 pounds of butter.

The HBC stables and warehouse building were sold to the Department of National Defense for $1 shortly after the outbreak of WWII. The buildings were converted into office space and training facilities for use by the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1941 the base was named HMCS Nonsuch, in tribute to the legendary role played by the Nonsuch in 1668 in the establishment of the HBC,

In 1964 Federal budget cuts closed HMCS Nonsuch. In 1965 the building was renamed the Ortona Armouries to commemorate The Loyal Edmonton Regiment’s battle during WWII in the Italian town of Ortona. Text from Living in the Shed by Billie Milholland, published by the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance https://archive.org/details/livinginshedalbe00milh/

First Nations people used this plant’s roots to make medicine washes
Canada Anemone, a member of the buttercup family, is a native plant that can occupy a wide range of habitats. A vigorous grower, it is not considered an invasive but can rapidly spread. Its underground rhizome system, which offer some soil stabilization, will stretch to encompass large areas. If not managed, it will take over your yard.

A robust perennial with deeply lobed, basal leaves and an upright, 1-2 ft. stem bearing a single whorl of 3- to 5-parted leaves. A solitary white flower with a golden center, springs from the leaf whorl. As clumps become crowded, flowering may decrease. If this occurs, divide the plants in the fall.

When the roots and leaves are heated or dried, they become a powerful antiseptic that was highly valued by First Nations people in treating wounds, haemorrhaging and eye infections. But be careful as it is toxic, can cause severe skin or intestinal irritation, and is also avoided by herbivores as a food source. More at https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=anca8

Photo by K. Edwards who adds “I walk the river valley every day between Rossdale, across the new Tawatina bridge and returning on the south trial system. I am shocked at the destruction by local beavers. I understand they are part of the natural ecology of the river valley, however big, beautiful trees that hamper erosion, create shade, and beautify the river valley are taken down at record pace. Since the photo was taken, the city has covered the bases of many trees in the area.”

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712

River Valley News - Sept 8, 2022

City wants feedback on 5 projects, 3 impacting river valley
The City of Edmonton is hosting its first large-scale in-person engagement event in two years. On September 10 at West Edmonton Mall and September 17 at Londonderry Mall, you are invited to chat in person with city staff about five city-building projects. The city is looking for your comments and feedback on: River Valley Planning Modernization, Zoning Bylaw Renewal, National Urban Park, District Planning, and Mass Transit.

River Valley Planning Modernization is about planning for the future of YEG’s river valley. The city is renewing 2 plans: The Ribbon of Green which provides long-term planning guidance for the protection, access and enjoyment of the river valley; and The North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan, which provides land use planning direction, as well as the processes and tools the city uses to evaluate and regulate proposed development in our river valley and ravine system.

Zoning Bylaw Renewal is a multi-year comprehensive overhaul of the city’s current zoning bylaw that includes rethinking how, what and why the city regulates in terms of zoning and land development. Proposed changes will also impact our river valley.

Edmonton is one of several cities across Canada in discussion with Parks Canada about the potential for establishing a National Urban Park in our city/region. The decision about whether a National Urban Park is established in Edmonton will be made by City Council in partnership with Parks Canada and Indigenous partners, using feedback provided by the public and stakeholders. Complete engagement details at https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/public_engagement/engage-edmonton?utm_source=virtualaddress&utm_campaign=engageedmonton

Bunchberry Meadows closed Sept 6-Oct 30
The months of September and October are an important time for plants and wildlife at Bunchberry Meadows. To limit disturbance, Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT) has announced that the meadows will be closed to the public from September 6 through October 30.

The good news is that visitor access will be available via guided tours on Saturday or Sunday, beginning September 10. The Fall Foliage Tours, hosted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, EALT’s partner in the conservation of Bunchberry Meadows, are available to book on selected weekends. You can sign up for the tours at https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/events/

Reconciliation in Edmonton should begin on the Rossdale Flats
In an Edmonton Journal opinion piece, Phillip Coutu writes “From 2000 to 2005, a small group of descendants of Fort Edmonton played an integral role in the preservation of the Fort Edmonton burial grounds. As a Metis who has lived and worked with Indigenous people my whole life, I wish to say that reconciliation needs to be seen to be done and the Rossdale Flats is an ideal location to reimagine our relationship with First Peoples.

It begins with allowing Cree, Metis and others in the plains culture to talk to each other in a consultation process that honours its oratory nature. I am very saddened by the recent art installation debacle which featured a buffalo fur trader and a buffalo but excluded any acknowledgement that the Metis existed here for 100 years.

Worse, it confuses our history. We are the children of the fur trade who hunted buffalo and viewed them as a gift from the creator. This art did not reflect our history. It reflected American history where buffalo herds were slaughtered for their pelts and their carcasses left to rot on the plains.

I believe the bronze buffalo belongs at the entrance of the burial grounds so all who drive down River Valley Road would be reminded of the power of our buffalo culture. The Metis often say we are like the buffalo, who stand to face the cold north winds. I believe other descendants would support this idea as this buffalo, like us, has been discarded from the flats.” Read piece at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-reconciliation-in-edmonton-should-begin-on-the-rossdale-flats

Laurence Decore Lookout named after former mayor
A stretch of road along Saskatchewan Drive from Groat Road to 99 Street honours Laurence Decore, former mayor, lawyer, Ukrainian community activist, multiculturalism advocate and leader of Alberta’s official Opposition. In 2004, five years after his death, Edmonton honoured Decore with a four-kilometre stretch of road designated as Laurence Decore Lookout.

It offers spectacular views of the river valley and downtown, especially at night and especially from the viewing platform constructed at the intersection with Gateway Boulevard in Old Strathcona. For most of the distance, a pleasant walking and running path occupies the narrow space between the natural vegetation denoting the top of the riverbank and Saskatchewan Drive.

A city councillor from 1974 to 1977, Decore became Edmonton’s second mayor of Ukrainian origin in 1983. Decore’s grandparents, the original surname was Dikur, homesteaded east of the city, but his father John, who represented the Liberals in the House of Commons, chose law as a profession. Like both parents, Decore involved himself in Ukrainian community life and worked actively on behalf of a variety of Ukrainian causes. More at https://transforming.edmonton.ca/closer-to-home-a-postcard-view-of-edmonton-with-pro-tips/

City surface temperatures 6-12C higher compared to rural areas
Elna writes “I read with interest the article concluding that older neighbourhoods with boulevard trees are cooler. I live in Greenfield which is 50 years old and does not have the advantage of boulevard trees. My neighbourhood is losing its tree canopy as birch trees have died and spruce trees have grown too large. These private trees are cut down and not usually replaced. The City has no regulations concerning this situation. I believe the City in its tree planting plan should consider replacing trees in neighbourhoods such as mine.”

Wasps and other insect bites can be serious
Liz emailed “Last summer I went into the kitchen to find a wasp chowing down on bits of cooked ground beef that were caught in the drain. As I watched, it stuffed itself, flew to the windowsill where it proceeded to scrub from head to toe, followed by lying down in the sunshine and having a snooze. Thinking it had just ate a Thanksgiving style feast, I left it to its nap. When I returned a few minutes later, it was gone, full, content and refreshed. Yet another example of how we are more alike than different, no matter the species.”

Photo by Ivan Todosijczuk, who writes “Further to the article on spider and wasp bites, I've attached a photo that could be titled ‘When apex predator meets apex predator.’ This was taken in our back yard in Glenora.”

Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712