SOLD OUT - Learning from the Land: River Valley Askiy-Geo Discovery Tour with Keith Diakiw

Both of these events are now sold out. Please join the waitlist using the register button.

PLEASE NOTE: The date of this event has now changed to July 26

Embark on a journey into Edmonton’s past as you visit historic and sacred sites within North America’s largest urban green space, the Edmonton River Valley. Walk in the footsteps of Indigenous Peoples who continue to visit this sacred gathering place on Turtle Island for the last 10,000 years. Honour the local First Nations, Métis, and early European ancestors of amiskwacîwâskahikan by giving tobacco protocol and participating in a smudge ceremony. Also, discover the extensive history of our region’s fur trade, stretching across 112 years from 1795 to 1907.

• Route: Edmonton River Valley, paved and unpaved trails
• Physicality: 4-5 km easy walk with several stops

Spaces are limited. Registration will close when the event reaches capacity or on July 14, 2025.

Note: Keeping in practice with Indigenous ways of learning and knowing, each session will begin with a sharing circle led by the traditional knowledge keeper or elder who is hosting the session. 

Keith Diakiw, CD, P.Geo., FGC, ‘03 BSc, is a professional Métis geologist and GEO (Geo Experience Officer) of Talking Rock Tours, which is the world’s first geo-educational adventure company that is 100% Indigenous-owned and operated. Keith attended both the University of Lethbridge and University of Alberta where he successfully earned a Bachelor of Science CO-OP in Physical Geography, a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Archaeology, and a Bachelor of Science Specialization in Geology. While attending the University of Alberta, Lieutenant (Navy) Diakiw also joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a reservist and became a qualified Naval Warfare Officer in 2005.  Since October 2022, he has been working full-time as the Northern Environmental Coordinator for 3 rd Canadian Division Support Group at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.

Learning from the Land: An Alumni Series

This event is part of the Learning from the Land Series hosted by the Department of Alumni Relations. This series comprises traditional plant walks, river walks and a river cruise at various locations throughout Alberta. Land-based learning recognizes the deep physical, mental and spiritual connection to the land that is part of Indigenous cultures. Join our vibrant alumni community as we learn from the land around us and understand our connection to it.

See all Learning from the Land events