The Niitsitapi greeting has become ubiquitous in Lethbridge, a visible reminder of the Blackfoot people and their legacy in southern Alberta. Nowhere is Oki more visible than on the Oki signs, which grace different locations around Lethbridge.
Developed by the City of Lethbridge in 2019, each of the Oki signs were designed by a different Indigenous artist. Today, Oki signs can be found in a dozen different locations around the city. Here’s a look at each of the different signs and the artist who created them.
City Hall/Mobile signs
The two original Oki signs were designed to be mobile and are available for public events around Lethbridge. At other times, they can be found in the foyer at City Hall.
Park Place Mall – A History of Lethbridge, Alberta
Designed by Cheyenne McGinnis (Naatoiyiki), the artwork on this sign represents the history of Lethbridge from the first peoples through to modern times.
The University of Lethbridge – Saakiaitapiiy’pa (We Are Still Living)
Designed by Api’soomaahka (William Singer III), this design features representations of three items that represent connection: sweetgrass, a tipi base, and rock (Ohkotok).
Galt Museum and Archives – Matapiiksi (People/Hoodoos)
This artwork, designed by Api’soomaahka (William Singer III), represents the marks that humans leave on the landscape from footprints to stone rings and hoodoo carvings.
Lethbridge Public Library – Women are Sacred
This artwork, designed by Sandra Lamouche, honours women and brings awareness to our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Casa – Okan Landscape
This stylized artwork, designed by Aisinai’pi Bullchild (Candace Gladue) represents the landscape that surrounds Sikoohkotok (Lethbridge). The gold background is for the wild grass, the yellow is for the sun, the red for the Kainai people, and the turquoise represents the sky.
Lethbridge and District Exhibition – OKI, People and Place
Designed by Cheyenne McGinnis (Naatoiyiki), this artwork plays with the word Oki, placing it against the background of a trade blanket and using it to represent people and place as an invitation to conversation.
Lethbridge Airport – A View of Home
Designed by Mariah Gladstone (Omahkaistaawakaakii), this design features Ninnastako (Chief Mountain) as the center of Blackfoot territory. It offers a welcome to all travellers passing through the airport.
Helen Schuler Nature Centre – Gathering Together
This design by artist Mariah Gladstone (Omahkaistaawakaakii) uses depictions of local native plants to showcase the connections between all living things.
Festival Square
This design by Wayne Provost represents the connection between past and present through a depiction of smudge smoke, feathers, and landmarks.
McCain Foods
Designed by Serene Weasel Traveller.
How many have you seen? Where would you like to see the next Oki sign?
We’d love to have more information about the Oki signs at Festival Square and McCain Foods, drop us a message if you know the stories or more details about these artworks.