Galt Gardens: Where art meets Niitsitapi Blackfoot heritage

A collaborative art project has breathed new life into the southwest corner of Galt Gardens.

The idea came from CommunityLAb - a partnership between the City of Lethbridge and the University of Lethbridge. It connects students with real city challenges to enhance community life.

Students first came up with the project in fall 2020. Their goal was to make Galt Gardens more colourful, safe and welcoming. In spring 2021, they focused on one idea: improving the area around the pergola with designs that highlight Indigenous culture.

In 2024, the City’s Parks department started planning upgrades to the area. This was a great chance to include the students’ ideas. The Urban Revitalization team worked with artist Marjie Crop Eared Wolf to shape the final design. Construction started in summer 2024 and finished in spring 2025.

“This project shows what can happen when learning, community and culture come together,” says Crop Eared Wolf. “The artwork includes Blackfoot symbols and language that honour the land and the people who have cared for it for generations.”

The updated space now has brighter lighting, improved sightlines and more accessible paths. There are also two new entrances to the pergola from the west and south, where visitors can see the new Niitsitapi Blackfoot artwork.

“We wanted to make the space safer and more accessible, but also meaningful,” says Crystal Scheit, Urban Revitalization Manager. “By combining safety upgrades with Indigenous design elements, we created a place that respects culture while serving the whole community.”

“This is another important step toward reconciliation,” says Echo Nowak, Indigenous Relations Specialist. “It shows our promise to build spaces that welcome everyone and reflect our diverse community. That's especially true for the Blackfoot people, whose traditional land we are on.”

The City invites everyone to visit the renewed southwest corner of Galt Gardens and enjoy the powerful mix of culture, history and community spirit that now fills the space.

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