U of A Library's Out-of-Towner Guide to Edmonton

Welcome to the City of Champions - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! Edmonton is also known as amiskwacîwâskahikan, and it is located on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community. Edmonton has the second largest Indigenous population in Canada (Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples of Canada 2006 Census CD ROM publication).

Thanks for joining us way up north, where winter rules the city 8 out of the 12 months a year. We applaud you for your bravery! We will focus on and show you photos of the 4 glorious months of the year that will make you want to come to Edmonton. Then, when winter comes - as it most-assuredly will - we will have you in our clutches. You'll slowly understand the feeling that the winter is never-ending and pine for the days where you could actually warm up by going outside. (What a concept!) Where wearing a balaclava is done not to commit a robbery, but because of the knowledge you could freeze to death in under 3 minutes. Other than the life-threatening winter that Edmontonians brave every day, which we won't focus on, it's a great place to live! 

The people are friendly; (you have to be, if you're looking for body warmth); the food is great (check out our section on our fave spots for food and drinks); and, our summers are amazing! Welcome to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! 

The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis people.