Mother’s Day Gratitude Event Recap – We’re Thankful for YOU!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Mother’s Day Gratitude Event on May 7th as we celebrated the mothers and mother figures in our lives!
We began our special program with guest speaker, Dr. Sandy Dumanski’s insightful presentation about Giving Your Heart Some Love. Her expertise as a Nephrologist and women’s cardiovascular health specialist offered valuable wisdom for women’s healthcare; stay tuned for more information about her program that will be coming to Siksika this Fall!
Our keynote speakers, Dr. Latisha Hewton-Backfat, Dr. Pearl Yellow Old Woman-Healy, Katrina Hewton-Backfat, and Siksika Health CEO, Angie Sarsons then shared messages that inspired a wellspring of gratitude, also honouring the mothers in their own lives. The words of Angie’s self-written poem rang true for many:
Whispers of Our Matriarchs
By Angie Sarsons
They walk with us in morning light,
In dreams, in songs, in stars at night.
Their hands once braided roots and skies,
Now lift us up with watchful eyes.
Through every step, their voices guide,
In quiet strength they still reside.
They see our struggles, feel our grace,
And smile through time, from sacred space.
With every laugh, with every tear,
Our matriarchs are always near.
So proud of who we’ve dared to be-
We are their prayers, walking free.
A highlight of the evening was being able to honour the mothers and mother figures, nominated by YOU, Siksika; they are featured in the event program, which can be viewed here: https://siksikahealth.com/2025/04/25/mothers-day-gratitude-event/
When we all came together for the family-friendly celebration afterward, the Living Legends dance troupe, featuring Siksika’s own Kiki Adolpho (Dr. Quintina Bearchief-Adolpho’s daughter!) offered a spectacular performance showcasing the rich traditions of Native American, Polynesian, and Latin American dance, and left us with a powerful message: that we are all the results of the love of thousands.
So many thanks so the staff, teams, and volunteers who collaborated to make the event a success, to the Living Legends dance troupe who shared their performance free of charge and covered the costs of the stage rentals, and a special thanks to YOU, Siksika and friends, for joining us! The Mother’s Day Gratitude Event launches a year of gratitude for our Mental Health and Substance Use teams at Siksika Health Services; we invite you to join us as we move forward and spread gratefulness all year long. Here’s to making this a year filled with gratitude!
