Dr. Anne Anderson was a “savior of the Cree language,” working to research, document and teach Cree for more than twenty years, after her retirement from her nursing career in Edmonton.
A bronze buffalo sculpture by Saskatchewan artist Lloyd Pinay was unveiled in her honour in 1994, at Dr. Anne Anderson Park in Edmonton‘s Britannia Youngstown neighbourhood (commissioned by the Dr. Anne Anderson Society).
Because it preceded the City of Edmonton‘s Public Art Policy, the artwork was left to its own devices for nearly twenty years, but was “rediscovered” by the City and the Edmonton Arts Council in 2014 following a report to the City about vandalism.
Throughout that time, the artwork had been lovingly cared for by the local community. Following an attempted theft of the sculpture in 2023, the EAC’s Conservation team removed the piece for restoration. The artwork has now been reinstalled, much to the delight of community members.
Rellik from 89.3 The Raven speaks with David Turnbull, Director of Public Arts with the Edmonton Arts Council about reversing some of the damage that was done to such an important monument:
In this video by Conor McNally, learn more about the legacy of Dr. Anne Anderson and what went into the restoration of the artwork.
Find a map to visit the Dr. Anne Anderson monument here .
Learn more about Dr. Anne Anderson through the AMMSA archives here.
Comments