A Walk Through Time

The Indigenous People’s Experience (IPE) is a 29,000 square foot immersive journey through millennia of the First Nations’ and Métis peoples’ histories, experiences, and perspectives in the Beaver Hills (present day Edmonton) area. Using state of the art multimedia and immersive technologies, these stores are placed into context through custom scenic work and latest fabrication methods. The Indigenous Peoples’ Experience is a new, cutting-edge attraction that adds rich history and new perspective to the existing Fort Edmonton offerings by placing Indigenous voices at the forefront of the Edmonton area story.

The Culture Centre which is the focal point of the IPE experience. The facility is roughly 1,400 square meters of immersive experiences, from media content to hands-on interactives, and Indigenous reproduction objects showcasing the diversity of the First Nations and Métis peoples. The exhibit hall provides a space for guests to explore on their own, as well as opportunities for interpreters to enhance the experience. The facility includes a Treaty Lodge space which tells the story of Treaty 6 through media, as well as a multi-purpose foyer/event space, multi-purpose classrooms, offices, washrooms, and Back-of-House support spaces.

The experience includes a Trapper’s Cabin modeled after a traditional out-camp from the 1870’s-1890’s which offers a glimpse of Métis life on the trapline. First Nations Tipi Camps constructed in traditional First Nations style can be found throughout the IPE. A grouping of two larger tipis sits near the Fort, including the existing “storytelling tipi,” while another group of four smaller tipis can be found outside, along the trails heading up towards 1885 street. The Exterior Trails lead guests through the IPE site. The trails are peppered with life-like animal sculptures to scale. The trails have wayfinding and interpretive signage act as a guide enhancing the experience.

kubik maltbie’s scope of work included, turnkey design / build Specialty Fit-Out for the new Indigenous People’s Experience Cultural Centre providing the thematic environments, interactive props, display content and graphics production for both the interior and exterior spaces. The contracted scope included the provision of construction documentation, fabrication, and installation of all identified elements of the thematic environments, Graphics, Indigenous Reproduction Objects, Life Size Exterior Bronze Animals and Exterior Wayfinding Signage. In addition, to supplying all steel structures, millwork, scenic, faux rocks, props, Indigenous reproductions, (assisted with) graphic design, we also worked to integrate all AV, content, architectural lighting supplied by partners.