Indigenous artist from Edmonton designs revamped showcase room at IKEA

An Indigenous artist from Edmonton helped curate a newly designed Indigenous family showcase room at IKEA.

Lance Cardinal helped curate the room in 2020, but it was recent revamped, showcasing Indigenous culture, language, medicine and traditions.

“It’s always exciting for me to be a part of a project that brings First Nations, Metis or Inuit culture forward in a positive way,” said Cardinal.

Cardinal says it’s important and special to have Indigenous culture on display.

“It’s amazing for our people to see ourselves there, to walk in and feel like we belong, like we are a part of the world in a good way,” he said.

Cardinal, a member of Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, says it was special taking his mom to the showroom.

“Having my mom there to see that celebration was incredible, especially for someone like her who never saw any of that growing up as a young person,” he said.

Inside Lance Cardinal’s Indigenous family showcase room at IKEA. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

Cardinal says his mom helped bring the project to life by acting as his language advisor.

“She helps me figure out the right words to say, the way to spell it, and even the syllabics, which are the ancient form of our Cree nation. And those syllabics are on the walls, all around the room, to talk about the different things in the room,” said Cardinal.

“My mom is my inspiration to me. She is the one who taught me to celebrate my culture, to believe in my path as an Indigenous person, and as an artist to celebrate our culture the best way I can as an artist and as a First Nations person.”

The room also showcases more than 30 traditional herbs and medicines that were handpicked from Sweetgrass First Nation.

“You can lift them up, touch them, see them and learn about them, and all of the different ways we use medicines from the land to heal and to have better life-living.”

Cardinal says the showcase room also has a personal touch by featuring a First Nations family from Treaty 6 Territory.

“It’s so incredible,” he said. “You walk in this room and it’s like a day in the life of an authentic First Nations family. And this is an authentic family from the Samson Cree Nation and Montana Cree Nation and you will see all of their items in this space.”

Inside Lance Cardinal’s Indigenous family showcase room at IKEA. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

IKEA is also selling a print by Indigenous artist Aaron Currie where 100 per cent of the print sales go towards the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.

The organization is committed to building upon the strengths of Aboriginal children, youth and families to enable them to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally so they can walk proudly in both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.