Lindork’s Lists #136 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, extended patio season, and more!
Newsletter for September 28-October 4, 2022
Note: this is the public version of my weekly email newsletter that gets sent to subscriber inboxes first each Wednesday. Get the full newsletter first by becoming a free subscriber.
This week (Sept. 30) is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day). I’ve included some Indigenous-focused suggestions throughout all sections of today’s newsletter to mark the day.
The residential school system and Canada’s atrocities towards Indigenous people are not a thing of the past. All Canadians have a role to play in Truth and Reconciliation, the least of which involves education and reflection on said atrocities and reparations.
Some Instagram accounts I recommend following for ongoing education include:
And I also love following these Indigenous content creators! I think it’s really amazing these creators are not only embracing but sharing their culture to the world—and the world is so eager to experience it (now).
One of my regular acts of reconciliation is donating to organizations that support Indigenous families as well as buying artwork, jewelry, and other items from Indigenous markers. Here’s a few charities and Indigenous makers I support:
Things to Do This Week
If attending events, please check their COVID-19 safety requirements. It’s still a good idea to mask-up—especially indoors. We’re still in a pandemic. Please get vaccinated/boosted!
Attend a feast and round table dance for Calling Our Spirits Back event
The Indigenous Congress of Alberta Association is hosting a free National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event “Calling Our Spirits Back” on Friday, Sept. 30 at Boyle Street Plaza 9538 103A Ave. with activities all day from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including a feast and round table dance in the evening. RSVP to attend!
Tune into the virtual Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society event
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society is hosting a free virtual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event “Past, Present and Future” this Friday, Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tune in on Facebook!
Attend the Town of Devon’s free Orange Shirt Day event
The Town of Devon has free all-day activities to mark Orange Shirt Day, from pipe ceremonies to a community walk, talks from residential school system survivors and a “We Were Children” film screening.
Attend National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities in Sherwood Park
There will be a few different free events happening to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Sherwood Park, at Broadmoor Lake Park and surrounding area from 1-4 p.m., including an unveiling of a new Heather Shillinglaw art installation “ᒥᔪᑕᒧᐣ ᓇᓇᓂᐢ miyotamon nananis.
Check out Free Admission Night at the Art Gallery of Alberta
Did you know the Art Gallery of Alberta offers Free Admission on the last Thursday of every month? Take advantage of Free Admission from 4-7 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 29. Check out what’s on, including a Comic Sans exhibit!
Check out the annual BBQ, Butchers, Bangers, and Sausage Battle
The second annual BBQ, Butchers, Bangers & Beers is a celebration of local butchers as they battle it out for the title of Edmonton’s best sausage! Gegt tickets to sample local sausages, beer and vote for your favourite Sunday, Oct. 2 from 1-3 p.m. at You Need a BBQ in Sherwood Park (65 Chippewa Road).
Get tickets for the Edmonton Comedy Festival (various locations)
The Edmonton Comedy Festival returns this Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, with all sorts of shows across 10 stages featuring 20 performers.
Take a road trip to the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair
The popular Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fair takes place this Sat. Oct. 1 just an hour and a half drive north east of Edmonton. Growers of Alberta and surrounding provinces bring their giant pumpkins, squash and gourds to the world famous Smoky Lake Great White North Pumpkin Fair and weigh off! The weigh off starts at noon. There’s also a Show & Shine, vendors, a petting zoo, mini midway and more. Free to attend.
Got an Edmonton area event, virtual event, or something coming up you think my readers would be interested in knowing about? Let me know!
Food to Try This Week
Please continue safely supporting local restaurants, in whatever way works for your comfort levels. If not dining in, please do take-out! Mask-up and please stay home if you’re sick.
Support an Indigenous-owned restaurant (various locations)
Especially because National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) is this week—but really any time of year—seek out and support the city’s Indigenous-owned restaurants like Pei Pei Chei Ow and Tee Pee Treats! The Culina Family of Restaurants is Metis-owned, find Indigenous-inspired cuisine at Homefire Grill, and you might get lucky catching Native Delights food truck out and about!
Hit the patio and enjoy the hot streak while it lasts (various locations)
It’s summer weather well into fall (which is nice but also um climate change..) So take advantage of the patios while you still can! There are more than 60 patios in Old Strathcona. You can try a patio along 124 Street. And of course you could reference my Guide to Dog / Pet Friendly Patios in the city!
Check out the new Northern Chicken location downtown (10184 104 St.)
One of the city’s most popular fried chicken joints Northern Chicken has opened a second location on 104 Street (in the former Say Uncle space). This 104 Street spot also has a bigger patio.
Celebrate an occasion at HanJan Korean Restaurant (Oliver or South Edmonton)
We celebrated my mom’s birthday this week digging into some of my favourite comfort food at HanJan Korean Restaurant. Share the bossam pork belly lettuce wraps, kimchi jjigae soup, bulgogi fries and Korean fried chicken—plus their strawberry bingsu (shaved ice with condensed milk, yum yum).
Check out the new Blowers & Grafton (7000 Emerald Drive, Sherwood Park)
Get your east coast cuisine fix at the newest Sherwood Park location of Blowers & Grafton, a popular Halifax street food restaurant! I love their hot chicken nachos (which comes on crispy potato chips!), coastal-inspired cocktails (you can get some non-alcoholic), and their Fisherman’s Feast! My friend who is from the east coast says eating here is like a taste of home.
I was invited to their VIP opening earlier this week and had a great time.
Ate something amazing recently? Want to show some love to a struggling restaurant? Have a take-out suggestion? Let me know to include in this newsletter.
Giveaway Next Week!
In next week’s Oct. 5, 2022 newsletter I’m teaming up with the Edmonton Fall Home Show and vendor Plantsome Canada to tell you more about the Oct. 14-16, 2022 show, and do a giveaway exclusively for email subscribers! Be sure to become a free subscriber to enter:
New on the Blog
I recently partnered with Explore Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo to visit the area and put together a Travel Guide for Things to Do and Places to Eat if you’re planning a visit this lovely Northern Alberta region! Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is in Treaty 8 Territory, home to six First Nation, five Métis local councils, and one Métis community association. It’s one of the largest treaty areas in all of Canada.
From the Blog Vault
If you’re planning on visiting Jasper (October would be great as they have a lot of events happening for Dark Sky Festival!)—consider booking a wildlife tour with my friend Joe from Jasper Tour Company! I did this video with Joe for Travel Alberta last summer. Joe does this tour from an Indigenous (Metis) perspective and it’s really special. He’s also very funny lol.
Now Public: Q&As with…
Every other Sunday, I profile a new “interesting person” in a Q&A series just for paid newsletter subscribers. A month later, I share the Q&A publicly on my blog. I’ve been a bit behind on my Q&As but here’s three publicly-posted Q&As you may have missed:
If you’d like to become a paid subscriber to this newsletter to receive exclusive Q&As first in your inbox every other Sunday and support the work I do, upgrade below:
Save with my Discount Codes!
I regularly partner with businesses to save you money!!
Here’s a few deals this summer to take advantage of:
Get 20% off regular price items at Bamboo Ballroom with code LINDORK20
Get 20% off at Edmonton International Airport Value Park using code LINDORK20. Book by Sept 30 for travel by Dec 31
Get 10% off your e-bike rental from Pedego Edmonton! Use code 10Lindork
Popular on my Blog Right Now
Here are the top four most popular posts on my blog this week:
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