Carved by Stewart Steinhauer, a self-taught artist from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Treaty Six Territory Marker: Bear Spirit is a prominent public artwork located in the Quad on the University of Alberta’s North Campus.

The sculpture acknowledges the university’s location on Treaty Six territory and is a critical part of the university’s efforts to work toward a respectful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and to understand the truths of Canada’s history.

In this work, the Sweetgrass Bear embodies the spiritual connection between land and culture. Steinhauer reflects on this sacred relationship and states, “Sweetgrass Bear, protector of the earth, help me now, with my own work, to share your teachings, to reach out to all people, all of the people who have come to share our land, here in Treaty Six Territory.”