Did you know that Elk Island National Park used to have a bison abattoir? Have you ever heard of the national parks in Alberta that were dissolved? Join us for a live podcast recording exploring the wild history of making national parks in our area, and what it can teach us about the current plans to build a new urban national park in Edmonton’s river valley.

The evening will be hosted by Chris Chang-Yen Phillips, with special guests including:

Lauren Markewicz

Lauren Markewicz is a public historian specializing in the history of bison conservation in what we now know as Canada. She is a member of the Bison Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and has worked as an interpreter at various historic sites and national parks in Western Canada. She is from St. Albert, Alberta but currently lives in Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan. She is also an avid nature nerd and is often spent out on the landscape hiking or camping. Lauren is the author of Like Distant Thunder: Canada’s Bison Conservation Story.

Miranda Jimmy

Miranda Jimmy is a passionate Edmontonian and member of Thunderchild First Nation. She is a community connector and fierce defender of truth. Miranda is committed to the spirit and intent of the Treaty relationship and finds ways each day to demonstrate to others what this looks like. Miranda’s professional life has focused on contributing to her community in a variety of ways. She has training in arts and cultural management, conflict resolution and negotiation, and communications. She has made a career in the arts and heritage sector, working with many different non-profit organizations, Nations, governments, and private businesses. Miranda currently works for the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations managing their role in the development of a new National Urban Park in Edmonton, along with ongoing consulting contracts with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the CanAsian Arts Network, and supporting the location and marking of Indigenous burial sites across Treaty Six.

Mack Male

Mack is the co-founder and CEO of Taproot Publishing which helps communities understand themselves better. The company’s flagship digital news outlet is Taproot Edmonton, which among other things publishes a weekday newsletter called The Pulse and a weekly municipal affairs podcast called Speaking Municipally, which Mack co-hosts. Prior to becoming an entrepreneurial journalist, Mack spent more than a decade working in software development.

Let’s Find Out is an award-winning local history podcast, published by Taproot Edmonton. We take questions from curious Edmontonians about local history, and find out the answers together.

This event caps our season exploring the history of parks and natural areas in Edmonton.

When: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Doors open at 7 PM, event begins at 7:30 PM.
Where: Alfred H. Savage Centre (13909 Fox Drive, Edmonton AB)

Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door, or free for Taproot Members with a discount code (check your Taproot newsletter!)

This venue has barrier-free access.