The summer solstice is upon us! It is also a reminder that June is Indigenous Awareness month and June 21st is National Indigenous Awareness Day. I encourage all of you to take a step in your reconciliation journeys this upcoming month by attending one of the many events that will… Read More »National Indigenous History Month
At Calgary Learns, part of my role is to guide practitioners as well as agencies on ways they can engage with Indigenous peoples and communities. By broadening their own knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history, Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, and building relationships, learners will benefit. I had… Read More »Engaging with the Indigenous Community
November 7 is International Inuit Day. Also known as International Circumpolar Inuit Day, it is a holiday created to celebrate Inuit and to amplify their voices. According to the 2016 Statistics Canada Census there were 440 Inuit living in Calgary. In honour of this day, I had the privilege to… Read More »Sihtoskâtowin ᓯᐦᑐᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ Circle- International Inuit Day
September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honors the children who never returned home, the Survivors of Indian Residential Schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component… Read More »September 30th
The First Peoples Principles of Learning were put together by Indigenous Elders, scholars and knowledge keepers to guide the development of the curriculum and teaching of the English First Peoples course created by the BC Ministry of Education and First Nations Education Steering Committee in 2006/2007. They represent an attempt… Read More » Sihtoskâtowin ᓯᐦᑐᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ Circle – The First Peoples Principles of Learning
On August 10th, two staff from Calgary Learns were blessed with the opportunity to visit and learn on the land at the Brown Bear Woman Cutural Centre at Tsuutʼina First Nation. The Enough for All Indigenous Advisory Committee and VCC put together this Indigenous learning opportunity. Below is a reflection of… Read More »Sihtoskâtowin ᓯᐦᑐᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ Circle – All Indigenous People are Equal Participants in Calgary’s Future
Recently, I was asked what my thoughts were in regards to the Pope’s apology to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. My response was “I don’t want to talk about it”. I was raised by my grandparents in rural Alberta. My kokum (grandmother) was raised in a “tent” area of a rural… Read More »I Will Always Remember Kokum’s Rosaries …
Sihtoskâtowin is a Cree principle that is the act of supporting and helping each other as well as looking out for one another; collective support for the wellness, safety, caring and protection of community (Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge) In the last year, there have been many graves that were… Read More »Sihtoskâtowin ᓯᐦᑐᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ Circle – Residential School Unmarked Graves -We Are Not Done Yet