Call for Expressions of Interest: Indigenous Public Art Monument Honouring Treaty 8, Grande Prairie

Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI): Indigenous Public Art Monument – Treaty 8

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026

The City of Grande Prairie respectfully acknowledges the Beaver, Cree, Dene, and Métis people as the original caretakers of these Lands and surrounding areas. We are grateful to live, learn, work and play on Treaty 8 territory within Turtle Island and acknowledge these Lands have been home to diverse and sovereign First Nations and Inuit Nations since Time Immemorial.

The City of Grande Prairie is inviting Indigenous artists with connections to Treaty 8 territory to submit an Expression of Interest for the first stage of a public art project to create a permanent monument honouring Treaty 8 in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

This commission will result in a thoughtfully designed public artwork that acknowledges Treaty 8 as a living agreement and honours the Indigenous Nations and communities whose lands the monument will occupy. The artwork is intended to support public reflection, learning, and respectful dialogue while contributing meaningfully to the shared civic landscape.

The project will proceed through a staged selection process, beginning with this Expression of Interest. The total all‑inclusive project budget is $40,000 CAD, which includes all costs directly associated with the artwork, including artist fees, design, fabrication, materials, transportation, installation, insurance, and any required professional services.

Project Background

Treaty 8, signed in 1899, covers a vast territory across northern Alberta and remains a foundational and living agreement that continues to shape relationships, responsibilities, and life across the region. Grande Prairie is situated within Treaty 8 territory and serves as a regional centre for communities across northwestern Alberta.

This public art project seeks to create a monumental work that recognizes the historical and contemporary significance of Treaty 8 while centring Indigenous perspectives, relationships to land, and intergenerational continuity. The monument will offer a visible and enduring presence in a public setting, encouraging understanding of treaty relationships within everyday civic life.

Public Art Opportunity

Artists are invited to express interest in creating a permanent monument that:

• Recognizes Treaty 8 as a living agreement
• Reflects Indigenous relationships to land, place, and responsibility
• Encourages reflection, learning, and respectful engagement
• Is grounded in Indigenous knowledge and artistic practice

Artistic approaches may be traditional, contemporary, or interdisciplinary. At this stage, artists are not required to submit a design concept or proposal.

View of the proposed site next to 98 Street

Location

The site will be located on the East of Montrose Cultural Centre, located at 9839 103 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta. The 4.4 x 10 metre site sits on the back concourse of Montrose Cultural Centre, next to the roadway of 98 Street. The site sits within a high-traffic area that includes the Grande Prairie Public Library, Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, and Teresa Sargent Hall, and is regularly used by residents, visitors, and families.

The immediate area features pedestrian pathways, gathering spaces, and landscaped elements that support both everyday use and community events. The site is highly visible and accessible year-round, with opportunities for close engagement as well as viewing from a distance.

Artists should consider Grande Prairie’s northern climate, including seasonal temperature fluctuations, snow accumulation, and freeze-thaw cycles, when developing future proposals. The final artwork will need to be durable, safe, and suitable for long-term outdoor installation.

Further technical details, including precise siting, dimensions, and any infrastructure considerations, will be provided to shortlisted artists in the next phase.

View of the proposed site next to 98 Street

Eligibility

This opportunity is open exclusively to Indigenous artists (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) who can demonstrate meaningful connections to Treaty 8 territory, including (but not limited to) Nation membership, ancestry, residency, cultural practice, kinship ties, or long‑standing community relationships.

Selection Process

This is the first stage of a Request for Interest process. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee, and a shortlist of artists may be invited to participate in a subsequent design proposal or commissioning phase. Submission of an Expression of Interest does not guarantee selection for future stages.

How to Submit

Interested artists are invited to submit the following:

• A short artist biography, including Nation affiliation and Treaty 8 connection
• A brief statement of interest outlining your practice and interest in this project
• Images of 5 recent projects with descriptions
• Contact information
• 2 References

Submissions should be compiled into a single PDF and sent to connections@cityofgp.com.

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026

No concept designs, budgets, or detailed proposals are required at this stage.

Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Shortlisted artists will receive an honorarium of up to $1000 to develop a detailed proposal.

The City of Grande Prairie is committed to respectful, relationship‑based engagement with Indigenous artists and communities and thanks all artists for their interest in this important public art opportunity.

City of Grande Prairie
10205 98 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2E7
cityofgp.com