Author Archives: Carie Calf Robe
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Siksika Mental Health Group Registration Form
Comments Off on Siksika Mental Health Group Registration FormSiksika Mental Health Group Registration Form
Thank you for your interest in participating in this group. This is a closed, community-based group designed to provide participants with a safe, respectful, and confidential environment where they can connect, share experiences, and support one another.
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Heroes Are Warriors Program Graduation
Comments Off on Heroes Are Warriors Program GraduationOn Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Siksika Health Services and our Community Wellness team proudly celebrated the graduation of the Heroes Are Warriors program at the Deerfoot Sportsplex.
The Heroes Are Warriors program is a 12-week journey grounded in the Seven Sacred Teachings: love, wisdom, humility, respect, courage, honesty, and truth. Through this program, participants are supported in building strength, resilience, and cultural connection.
This session, the Community Wellness team, alongside dedicated volunteers, supported 10 youth as they completed the program.
We are proud to recognize the following graduates:
- Adrianna McMaster
- Alejandro Zelaya Ramos
- Anu Axe-Many Heads
- Dayla First Rider
- Dayzie First Rider
- Felicia Breaker
- Gabriel Poucette
- Kirshina Weasel Head
- Riess Jerry
- Uriah Jerry
Congratulations to all graduates on this meaningful achievement. Your growth, commitment, and strength are an inspiration to our community.
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Fire Restriction Lifted for Siksika Nation
Comments Off on Fire Restriction Lifted for Siksika NationSiksika Nation has lifted it’s Fire Restriction, issued June 8, 2026.
Due to the recent rain and ground saturation, and forecast of more rain, the past Fire Restriction, issued March 2026, has been lifted and is no longer in effect as of today’s date.
This does not mean that reckless burning can now occur, it is hoped that all residents of the Nation still pay close attention when dealing with fire within their control.
If the weather does take a turn and hot dry conditions develop and persist, a fire restriction or fire ban could be introduced.
Thank you for your attention regarding this matter.
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Heat Warning — What You Need to Know
Comments Off on Heat Warning — What You Need to KnowA Yellow Heat Warning is in effect for Siksika Nation and surrounding areas. During periods of extreme heat, everyone is at an increased risk – including your pets. High temperatures can lead to heat-related illness, as well as an increased risk of fire and power outages.
How to Stay Safe
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages. Aim for about 1 cup of water for every 15–20 minutes spent in the heat — this is the single most important thing you can do during a heat warning.
Limit Time Outdoors
Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to the cooler hours of the day. Stock up on key supplies such as groceries, medications, and drinking water to reduce the need for extra trips outside.
Cool Down Indoors
Take frequent breaks from the heat by spending time in air-conditioned or cooled indoor spaces. Ensure your cooling appliances (fans, air conditioners) are in working order, and have backup options that don’t require power, such as cold washcloths or frozen ice packs.
Never Leave People or Pets in Vehicles
Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle for any length of time.
Be Mindful Near Waterways
While it may be tempting to cool off at public waterways such as the Bow River, please be aware of strong currents, debris, and limited visibility — especially during spring runoff season.
Know the Signs of Heat Illness
Monitor yourself and others for symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, including:
- High body temperature
- Lack of sweating
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Confusion
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
If you or someone around you is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Check on Those Most Vulnerable
Some community members are at a higher risk of experiencing earlier or more severe effects from the heat. Please pay special attention to:
- Infants and children
- Elders
- Individuals with pre-existing conditions (lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health, or diabetic conditions)
- Outdoor workers
- Those who are socially isolated
More Resources
For additional tips and information, visit:
- alberta.ca/ExtremeHeat
- Environment Canada – Weather & Health
- Download the WeatherCan app to your smartphone or device for up-to-date weather conditions
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From Circle to Celebration: Honouring the Mothers of Siksika’s Birthing Circle
Comments Off on From Circle to Celebration: Honouring the Mothers of Siksika’s Birthing CircleOn Thursday, May 8th, 2026, Siksika’s Birthing Circle hosted a special Mother’s Day Gala to honour all the mothers who participated in the program this year. The evening was a beautiful celebration filled with live music, a catered supper, and fun-filled games — including a wonderfully organized cake dance led by Siksika Health Service’s very own Chris Sterling!
This memorable event was brought to you by Siksika’s Community Health team, the dedicated organizers behind the Birthing Circle. Held in a series of three throughout the year, the Birthing Circle is more than just a class – it’s a welcoming gathering space where expectant parents and their support people come together to share, learn, and grow.
If you are expecting and would like to register for the series, please contact Community Health 403-734-5664.
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2026 Siksika Fitness Challenge — A Success!
Comments Off on 2026 Siksika Fitness Challenge — A Success!The 2026 Siksika Fitness Challenge ran from January 20 to March 31, 2026, bringing participants together for a season of health, movement, and community.
Program Highlights
Throughout the challenge, participants had access to two exciting training streams:
- Weekly Bootcamps at the Deerfoot Sportsplex, led by Trainer Racey Big Snake
- Adaptive Fitness Sessions at Many Guns Boxing & Fitness, led by Trainer Alex Legault
Winners
Winners for the 2026 Siksika Fitness Challenge were selected based on participation and completion of all challenge weigh-ins.
- Community Weight Loss Winners:
- U39 Weight Loss – Male
- 1ST Dustin Dick
- 2ND Braden Many Bears
- U39 Weight Loss – Female
- 1ST Jasmine Black
- 2ND Kiara Big Old Man
- 3RD Lacey Many Heads
- 40+ Weight Loss – Male
- 1ST David Wells
- 2ND Eddie Wolf Child
- 40+ Weight Loss – Female
- 1ST Trudy Yellowfly
- 2ND Tamara Low Horn
- 3RD Tracy Many Heads
- 55+ Weight Loss – Male
- 1ST Trevor Running Rabbit
- 55+ Weight Loss – Female
- 1ST Mandi Running Rabbit
- Adaptive Weight Loss
- 1ST Lucy Wright
- 2ND Jill Lennox
- Community Transformation Winners:
- U39 Transformation – Male
- 1ST Jimmy Weasel Child
- 2ND Braden Many Bears
- 3RD Dallas Dick
- U39 Transformation – Female
- 1ST Kariann Bastien
- 2ND Jasmine Black
- 3RD Chloe Many Guns
- Honorable Mention: Taylor Ayoungman
- 40+ Transformation – Male
- 1ST Eddie Wolf Child
- 2ND David Wells
- 3RD Arif Naveed
- 40+ Transformation – Female
- 1ST Tamara Low Horn
- 2ND Janelle Crowfoot
- 55+ Transformation – Male
- 1ST Nelson Breaker
- 2ND Trevor Running Rabbit
- 55+ Transformation – Female
- 1ST Alvina Weasel Child
- 2ND Mandi Running Rabbit
- Staff Weight Loss Winners:
- U39 Weight Loss – Male
- 1ST Jonah Jerry
- 2ND Hayden Cutter
- 3RD Rilee Many Bears
- U39 Weight Loss – Female
- 1ST Samantha Pretty Young Man
- 2ND Chelsey Yellowfly
- 40+ Weight Loss – Male
- 1ST Tim Calf Robe
- 40+ Weight Loss – Female
- 1ST Nina Pipestem
- 55+ Weight Loss – Male
- 1ST Ken Wolf Leg
- 55+ Weight Loss – Female
- 1ST Tracey Calf Robe
- Staff Weight Loss Winners:
- U39 Transformation – Male
- 1ST Hayden Cutter
- 2ND Jonah Jerry
- 3RD Shane Red Old Man
- U39 Transformation – Female
- 1ST Hannah Breaker
- 2ND Kelly Culp
- 3RD Chelsey Yellowfly
- 40+ Transformation – Male
- 1ST Mitch Doore
- 55+ Transformation – Male
- 1ST Ken Wolf Leg
- Individual Award Winners
- Most Committed: Jasmine Black
- Most Encouraging: Jimmy Weasel Child & Jonah Jerry
- Most Inspiring: Lacey Many Heads
- Consistency King: Braden Many Bears & Mitch Doore
- Consistency Queen: Saydie Jerry & Taylor Ayoungman
- Best Weight Loss: Jasmine Black & Dustin Dick
- Best Transformation: Jimmy Weasel Child & Kariann Bastien
Thank You to All Participants!
To everyone who took part — thank you! Each participant gained valuable physical literacy skills along the way. We encourage you to keep the momentum going by taking advantage of the community resources available to you:
- Deerfoot Athletic Club
- Many Guns Boxing & Fitness
Your fitness journey doesn’t stop here, keep going!
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National Survivors Gathering
Comments Off on National Survivors GatheringThe Siksika Health-Traditional Wellness Program Coordinator, Leanne Sleigh, was invited to present at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Survivors Gathering which was held in Ottawa from December 15 to 18, 2025. The theme focused on “Live Life the Way it was intended to be” which marks the 10-year anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Report.
The topics of the speakers and breakout sessions were to speak about reflections on healing in the last 10 years. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada held seven national gatherings (events) to document the history and impacts of the Indian Residential Schools system. These events were held across the country between 2010 and 2014 to engage and educate the public, and to provide a safe space for Survivors and their families to share their experiences. Over 6,750 statements were collected from Survivors and others affected by the residential school experience.
On December 16, 2025, Leanne was part the panel of three, along with Dr. Levinia Brown and Laurie McDonald. The speakers spoke about their personal experience of what worked in their community and helped with healing for themselves and their community at large.
The presentation that Leanne provided at the National Gathering was her personal healing journey as an IRS survivor and the work she was doing in the community with a team of 2 frontline workers and Cultural Support Providers. Their monthly frontline trainings brought them through a series of teachings on social impacts related to IRS survivors and how to navigate the system under the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
While working with the Alberta Region under the direction of Dr. Brenda Reynolds, Leanne was given the opportunity to attend the seven TRC National Gatherings and worked as one of several team leaders at each event. This experience gave her a firsthand look at the trauma many shared while attending one of the 139 Indian Residential Schools in Canada. She stated that 90% or more requested for grounding ceremonies that were provided by cultural support offered at each event.
She says she was guided divinely by the ancestors who came to her in dreams and spoke with her to help the people because of the suffering they experienced. She took the opportunity to connect with the Siksika Traditional grandfathers and met with them to collectively pull together a process to help IRS survivors and their families with healing and connecting back to their culture. Our culture and ceremonies are still there for our people and learning about their identity and the sacredness brought about the healing and restoration of everyone that took part in the workshops and ceremonies offered through Siksika Health. Our ancestors left us that most important piece which was our Blackfoot language and our culture, it was never lost and that is key component in the services her program offered to the survivors and their families. The once known as Indian Residential Health Support Program officially changed to Traditional Wellness Program that offers the Siksika Way of Life teachings. Her guides continue to be the Traditional Grandfathers/mothers of Siksika.
She ended with a statement of encouragement to the participants in attendance that
hope is not lost for individuals, the answer to healing lies within their culture and their language. The colonial systems need to change as well as our language and action to bring about lateral empowerment. Our heroes (survivors of IRS) suffered for us to be here today, let’s walk together in unity to bring about this change for the future generation.In attendance with Leanne Sleigh at this National Survivors Gathering, there was Jackie Weasel Fat, Clement Leather, Floria Duck Chief, Dyan Breaker, Rufus Pretty Youngman, Rilee Good Eagle and Jonathan Sleigh.
In closing, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in our community, and it takes each one of us to make each task achievable. While we still have our traditional leaders, we need to learn from them, teach our language to our youth and everyone. There is good progress happening across the board within Nation departments and programming. Change is happening. One day we will look back and say, “we were once told we were savages and they wanted to kill the Indian in us”, but today we beat that through the strength of our culture and language and Apistotoki.
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Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (CRPCN) Partnership
Comments Off on Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (CRPCN) PartnershipSHS Vision
To work together with the Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (CRPCN) to provide safe, respectful, and community-based health care for Siksika Nation members.
Key Updates
- Siksika Health Services and works with the Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (CRPCN) work collaboratively to support community health in the Nation. In June 2025, CRPCN staff visited Siksika Health Services to learn about Siksika Nations health priorities, the range of SHS programs available, and community needs and initiatives. They also met with Elder Floria Duck Chief, who shared teachings about culture, healing, and strength.
- In partnership with Siksika Health Services, CRPCN provides health care support in community health. This includes services of a dedicated social worker, mental health workers, dietitians, chronic disease management services, and diabetes educator. Services are offered in person and through virtual appointments when travel is not possible.
- CRPCN also supports Siksika Health Services clinical services including the medical clinic at the Community Health and Wellness Centre. The CRPCN support team helps train staff to improve clinic work and strengthen the use of electronic health record systems. Together SHS and CRPCN are planning for the long-term health needs of Nation members.
Why This Matters
This partnership helps support ease of access to community health services, organizational planning of service delivery while respectful of Siksika culture and values. By working together, Siksika Health Services and CRPCN strengthen care for Nation members and support long-term community wellness.
