Arts & Culture

Indigenous Artists Showcase Works at New River Valley Gallery

A newly opened Edmonton gallery is dedicated to celebrating Indigenous artistry, offering a permanent platform for local and national First Nations, Métis, and Inuit creators.

By By Adrian Wolfe • 2025-08-08

A new cultural landmark has opened in Edmonton with the launch of the New River Valley Gallery, a space dedicated exclusively to showcasing Indigenous art from across Canada. The gallery, which opened its doors last weekend, aims to provide a permanent platform for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit creators to share their work with a wider audience.

Located in the city’s downtown arts district, the gallery features rotating exhibitions that highlight both traditional and contemporary styles. Its inaugural show, “Threads of Identity,” brings together over 50 works from artists representing 12 different Indigenous communities.

Curator Leah Cardinal, a Cree-Métis artist herself, says the gallery was founded with the goal of amplifying voices often underrepresented in mainstream art spaces. “This is about more than just aesthetics,” she said. “It’s about telling stories, preserving traditions, and fostering dialogue.”

Among the works on display are intricate beadwork, oil paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations. One standout piece is a large-scale mural depicting the migration routes of caribou, painted in collaboration by several northern artists.

The gallery also plans to host workshops, artist talks, and school programs to engage the community. Organizers hope these events will encourage visitors to learn more about Indigenous histories and contemporary issues.

Funding for the New River Valley Gallery came from a combination of federal arts grants, private donations, and contributions from local businesses. Its founders say this collaborative approach reflects the spirit of the space itself: inclusive, supportive, and community-driven.

Early feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the gallery’s atmosphere and the depth of its exhibitions. “It’s inspiring to see such a beautiful space dedicated to our people’s stories,” said visitor Naomi Francis, who attended the opening with her family.

The New River Valley Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, with admission by donation. Future exhibitions will focus on themes such as environmental stewardship, urban Indigenous identity, and cross-cultural collaborations.