THE CITADEL THEATRE'S RECONCILIATION STATEMENT
At the Citadel Theatre, we believe in the power and importance of stories. We acknowledge the stories that have come before us since time immemorial – on this land just north of the river and under these skies and stars, and in this building with you.
We live, work, and create in the place we share on Mother Earth. This area, Edmonton, is known to the Plains Cree as Amiskwaciwâskahikan or Beaver Hill House. It is the traditional and contemporary homeland for the Nehiyawak (Plains Cree) along with the Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwe), Stoney Nakoda, Haudenosaunee (Mohawk), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Inuit, Dene and Métis. We express deep gratitude for the knowledge that has long nurtured these lands.
Treaty No. 6 was created with the intention of fostering harmonious co-existence. The Citadel Theatre recognizes our role and responsibility in being an active participant in reconciliation. We commit to this work through the sharing of resources, ongoing training, the inclusion of Indigenous stories, histories, and experiences in our programming, and by fostering meaningful relationships with the community.
In the spirit of reciprocity and respect, we seek to uphold the original intent of the Treaty and strive to create a shared narrative that honors our responsibility to this land and to each other.
HOW WE GOT HERE
We were honoured to be guided by Elders Dr. Jerry Saddleback and Jo-Ann Saddleback, together with Christine Sokaymoh Frederick, in creating this statement. Over two seasons (2023/24 and 2024/25), our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee (staff, board members, and community artists) spent time listening, learning, and reflecting. Through this shared work, we developed our Reconciliation Statement.
This work has replaced the Land Acknowledgement the Citadel Theatre used from 2017 to 2024 and represents a deeper commitment to Indigenous stories, histories, and relationships. It is the result of thoughtful collaboration, guidance from knowledge keepers, and a desire to honour the land, its peoples, and the stories that have come before us.
The Citadel Theatre’s Reconciliation Statement is not set in stone. It is intended to be an organic, living statement that evolves with our learnings each season. It will live in our building and materials in different ways, honoring the full statement while showing up in different contexts.
WHAT IS NEXT?
We recognize that a statement alone is not enough. Reconciliation requires meaningful action. The Citadel Theatre is committed to putting these words into practice through programs, partnerships, training, and ongoing engagement with the community. On this page, we will share how we are reflecting on and responding to the commitments in this statement, taking steps to ensure that our work supports Indigenous voices, strengthens relationships, and honours our shared responsibilities to this land and to one another.
ACTIONS IN 2025/26:
- The Citadel is planning renovations to the Maclab backstage spaces and is reviewing potential upgrades to HVAC systems to create environments where Indigenous theatre artists can smudge safely in dressing rooms and green rooms rather than being limited to alternative spaces.
- The Citadel added the Dene to our Reconciliation Statement in 2025. The Citadel Theatre acknowledged that our organizational understanding of the Dene peoples needed to grow, so we are hosted a cultural appreciation workshop in January 2026 with a Dene knowledge keeper to develop a deeper awareness and understanding of this distinct group.
- The Citadel is located steps from North America’s largest urban parkland, The Edmonton River Valley. We recognize that our work inside offices, production spaces and theatres keeps us from the natural world and the spaces that define our home. In Spring 2026, we are preparing training for our staff in the Edmonton River Valley, guided in part by an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, to learn about our neighbourhood’s natural and cultural history, historic and sacred sites, foraging, geological features, and Indigenous understandings of the land.
RESOURCE LINKS
The Citadel Theatre is grateful to share the following resources, which our staff have found meaningful in their own learnings about Truth and Reconciliation. We appreciate the opportunity to learn alongside our community and will continue to add to these Resource Links as we discover new insights and teachings:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The NCTR is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their 94 calls to action on June 2, 2015, in order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society – Knowledge Holders
Bent Arrow is an Edmonton organization dedicated to supporting the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of Indigenous children, youth, and families in Edmonton and surrounding areas.
Royal Alberta Museum Indigenous Reading List
The Royal Alberta Museum has pulled together a list of resources to learn about Indigenous Peoples in Alberta and Canada, past and present.
Indigenous Services Canada
The Government of Canada’s list of resources for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Includes Forms, Funding Programs, Indigenous healthcare information, and more.
Native Land Digital
An interactive online tool that helps us recognize and honor the Indigenous nations whose territories we live and work on. By entering a location, users can learn about the traditional lands, languages, and treaties connected to that place. It provides a meaningful way to reflect on the histories, presence, and ongoing stewardship of Indigenous peoples, supporting our commitment to education and reconciliation.