National Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes and celebrates the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. As property owners, we know our investments have an impact on the people who live and work in the communities where we operate. This commitment ensures that we partner with amazing individuals who can contribute to our properties and lead the way for more First Nations-supported collaborations in our cities.
Talented Partners
Meet Lance Cardinal, a 2-spirit artist, designer, television personality and business owner from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory. He has quickly become one of Alberta’s leading First Nations artists and entrepreneurs.
Cardinal has had an impressive 30-year career that has allowed him to work with world-class organizations all over Canada, including Avenue Living Communities. In collaboration, we’re creating a one-of-a-kind 85-foot solar panel mural on our SunRise property in downtown Edmonton.
Located in the city’s Chinatown neighbourhood, the project features First Nations and Chinese representation. Upon completion, it aims to be the world's largest solar panel mural, harnessing the sun’s energy to power the property.
Titled "The Land We Share," the mural showcases the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and the 7 First Nations sacred teaching animals and symbolizes the coexistence of these animals on Treaty 6 territory. Cardinal created the artwork to bring attention to the importance of sustainability and caring for Mother Earth.
He wanted the artwork to evoke emotions of unity within our community, while emphasizing our capacity to "live together, work together and understand each other a little bit more."
"live together, work together and understand each other a little bit more"
Deepening our partnership with Lance, we also worked with him on a community mural at the Wetaskiwin Mall named “Healing Medicine.”
Avenue Living commissioned Cardinal to create a mural to showcase the culture of the community at the property. The 50-foot mural is in the north wing of the mall and showcases the many ways of healing: ceremonial, medicinal, cultural and healing through dance — a fitting subject given its location right outside an Alberta Health Services office and the Care Gateway Clinic. Cardinal painted the mural over ten days, with the help of an assistant.
Completed in 2023, the design has been a hit within the community and stands out as one of Cardinal’s remarkable recent works.
Among his other notable projects is a collaboration with the Edmonton Oilers, where he wrote and produced the team’s new land acknowledgment and designed their Turtle Island logo. This initiative not only raised funds for Edmonton charities but also became one of the most popular and beloved alternate designs in the team’s history.
He was also a contestant on CBC Gems “Best in Miniature,” where 10 artists go head-to-head to create miniature dream homes. Cardinal brought his background and culture to his miniature design, landing him in the top 3! We are honoured to showcase and highlight Cardinal’s work and eagerly anticipate what he will create next.
For more information on Cardinal's portfolio, visit his website HERE!
Land Acknowledgement
At Avenue Living Communities, we acknowledge that our head office is on the ancestral lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations (Wesley, Chiniki, Bearspaw), the Métis Nation (Region 3) and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
We consider it our Duty of Care to show respect for the land and its natural elements when we carry out our daily work.