Blackfoot language welcomes visitors at new locations in Sikóóhkotok (Lethbridge)

The celebration of Blackfoot culture and language in Sikóóhkotok (Lethbridge) is now proudly welcoming the community with an ‘Oki’ at four new organizations in the region.

The City has partnered with the Lethbridge Airport, Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) and McCain Foods to create a custom Oki sign for each organization. 

“Placing the Oki sign in the heart of our Downtown is a powerful gesture of inclusion and acknowledgment,” says Sarah Amies, Executive Director, Downtown Lethbridge BRZ. “It stands as a visible commitment to reconciliation and to honouring the Blackfoot people, on whose land we live and work. This installation is more than just a greeting—it’s a warm welcome to all, a reminder of the deep history of this place and a step forward in building a more respectful, inclusive and united community.”

The customization of each placemaking sign comes from the bespoke Indigenous artwork wrapped around each one. A selection committee, comprised of the partner organizations and facilitated by the City’s Public Art Program, met and selected four pieces of art by Indigenous artists. The pieces chosen for the project were created by:
•    Mariah “Omahkaistaawakaakii” Gladstone – Helen Schuler Nature Centre and Lethbridge Airport
•    Wayne Provost – Downtown Lethbridge BRZ
•    Serene Weasel Traveller – McCain Foods

“The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is a place where people gather with the intention of creating and continuing a relationship with the place where we live,” says Coreen Putman, Manager, Helen Schuler Nature Centre. “Mariah Gladstone’s artwork ‘Gathering Together’ so beautifully acknowledges the land that sustains us.”

Gladstone’s design for the Nature Centre’s artwork includes a variety of native plants that highlight the interconnectedness of all living beings.

“Just as the Blackfoot people gather to celebrate their cultural heritage, so too do the plants and animals of southern Alberta,” says Gladstone. “(They) gather in symbiotic harmony, creating a vibrant ecosystem that sustains life.”

Recognizing the important role ‘Oki’ has in the community as a symbol of respect, understanding and reconciliation is one more way to celebrate Blackfoot culture and language in Sikóóhkotok (Lethbridge). It’s also a way for visitors to learn more about the community. 

“The new Oki sign at the Lethbridge Airport welcomes travelers and honours the Blackfoot people's rich cultural heritage, while complementing other Indigenous art around the terminal building,” says Cameron Prince, Manager, Lethbridge Airport. “As a gateway to the region, the airport proudly showcases these elements, reminding travelers to celebrate our diverse roots from the moment they arrive.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to seek out the new Oki signs and engage with each of them in their new locations across the region.

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