Miyonohk (pronounced mee-yo-nook) is a Cree word that means "a good place." That’s exactly what a new outdoor space at NorQuest will be.
On September 21, students, employees, and stakeholders gathered on a beautiful fall day to officially open Miyonohk, the college’s new campus park.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this new park,” said Carolyn Campbell, NorQuest College President and CEO. “It is a space to gather, a door to our campus, and a symbol of how we will continue to positively impact the space we occupy and the communities with whom we aspire to cultivate and grow relationships.”
Downtown Edmonton has been NorQuest’s home for decades. Not only is the new park a vibrant addition to the college campus—it represents a step forward in supporting downtown revitalization. The park measures approximately 2,700 square meters and provides a striking green space on the east side of NorQuest’s campus. The name was gifted to the college by Indigenous Elders and cultural advisors.
“Reclaiming Indigenous names is critical to the resurgence of Indigenous culture,” said Donna Bell, Program Manager, Indigenous Relations and Supports. “It was a beautiful, detailed, spiritually significant process in which we waited patiently for the right name to be revealed.”
Bell explained that Indigenous Elders and advisors took a final walk through the physical park space prior to entering a sweat ceremony on Treaty 6 Territory where prayers, pipe ceremony and feast took place. It was during the pipe ceremony the name for the park was provided. Miyonohk honours and deepens the college’s connection to the land and its original inhabitants.
NorQuest is growing to serve our learners and our community. The new park is an important step in NorQuest’s Campus Master Plan. The Campus Master Plan is a blueprint for the college’s growth projections and outlines how NorQuest will expand capacity while creating an inclusive space that optimizes the learner experience and develops community.