THE BUFFALO AND THE FUR TRADER SCULPTURES SCRAPPED

In 2010 artist Ken Lum was commissioned and paid $375,000 to sculpt two sculptures, The Buffalo and the Fur Trader" that were intended to be part of the Walterdale Bridge replacement project. Artists were shortlisted by a committee made up of project team members and local artist representatives and Ken Lum said the work went through enormous oversight and approval from civic officials.” 

An Indigenous educator and community advocate has raised concerns that the Wicihitowin Talking Circle, an Indigenous consultation group was not really listed to and and that the sculptures were inappropriate.

Edmonton city council announced earlier this week that it would not be installing sculpture because they “may cause harm and induce painful memories.”  The sculptures have been scapped and sitting in a storage container since 2016.