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Information kiosks celebrating heritage, Indigenous culture to be unveiled

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The City of Yellowknife is promoting areas of historical significance with the installation of six information kiosks at different locations within the municipality this week.

The city stated in a news release on Monday that it will be livestreaming via its Facebook page the unveiling of a kiosk being set up at the corner of Franklin Avenue and 50 Street today from noon to 1 p.m.

Other locations in the city that will see kiosks include the RV fill station at Kam Lake and Old Airport Road, the corner of Franklin Avenue and 54 Street, the Old Town parking lot (School Draw Avenue and Franklin Avenue),  the corner of Weaver Drive and McDonald Drive, and at Hank Koenen Park (Wiley Road).

The information kiosks, to be officially unveiled on Tuesday, will feature Williideh language. On the 50/50 kiosk, Yellowknives Dene First Nation Elder Modeste Sangris talks about the history of Franklin Avenue as a location of vibrant wildlife for local people.
Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

The event will include the unveiling of one of several kiosks featuring explanations about the historical significance of each place and will be accompanied by short stories gathered from interviews with Yellowknives Dene Elders.

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Information at each site will be in both English and traditional the Dene language of Wiiliideh.

Last April, council heard plans for implementing signs that would feature traditional Indigenous languages and more about the history of the area.

Each site will also be accompanied with maps illustrated by Yellowknife artist Alison McCreesh.

Tuesday's presentation will take place virtually as a public health measure to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

The Yellowknives Dene Drummers are scheduled to lead today's unveiling with a prayer.

Coun. Julian Morse, chair of the city's heritage committee, said in a statement Monday that the kiosks will enhance the city's recognition of the Dene in the city and their role in shaping the history of the area.

Artwork featuring wildlife and the heritage of natural beauty of the area will be among the features on the information kiosks.
Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

“The City of Yellowknife is located in Chief Drygeese Territory, the traditional land and home of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN), and it’s important that we honour and formally recognize the significant YKDFN heritage sites in our community,” Morse said. “For both visitors and residents, the kiosks will help increase people’s knowledge and appreciation of the history of this area.”

Last year, council began the process of working with the YKDFN to set up a wayfinding strategy to best locate historically meaningful areas throughout the city.

All of the recommendations for the locations have come from the city's Wayfinding Strategy and  Intercultural Heritage and Placemaking Plan.