Author Archives: Carie Calf Robe
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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.
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Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation Partnership
Comments Off on Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation PartnershipVision
To work with Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation to support healthy lifestyles, celebrate Blackfoot culture, and create positive sport and recreation opportunities for Siksika Nation youth.
Key Updates
- Siksika Health Services has partnered with Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) since 2019. This began with the Every Child Matters hockey game now hosted annually by the Hitmen celebrating Blackfoot culture and includes a specially designed jersey which the Hitmen still wear today.
- In 2021, Siksika Health Services and the Calgary Hitmen signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support youth, sport, and learn about the Blackfoot culture. The Hitmen team plays a preseason game at Siksika Nation and players work closely with Siksika to encourage youth to make positive connections and experiences by participating in sport.
- In 2023, the Calgary Stampeders began hosting an annual Indigenous Celebration game. Siksika Health Services has also worked with the Calgary Flames Foundation to design a hockey jersey.
- Funds raised through the mutual collaboration and partnership between Siksika, CSEC teams and the Flames Foundation have supported youth sports programs with funds including $70,000 for a new outdoor rink on Siksika Nation.
Why This Matters
This partnership helps youth stay active and healthy. It supports pride in Blackfoot culture and creates safe spaces for learning and sport. Working together also brings new resources into the community that benefit children and families now and in the future.
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Siksika Health Services’ Home Care Team Brings Healing and Hope to Community Members
Comments Off on Siksika Health Services’ Home Care Team Brings Healing and Hope to Community MembersSiksika Health Services’ Home Care team quietly work behind the scenes every day, providing essential healthcare that allows community members to stay in their own homes during some of life’s most challenging moments. What many community members might not realize is just how much this vital service has grown and evolved over the years, now offering a comprehensive range of support that goes far beyond basic medical care.
The team includes experienced nurses who have witnessed remarkable growth in the program. For example, Toni Running Rabbit graduated in 2005 and worked in Calgary for a year to gain experience, before returning home to Siksika. After spending a year at the Elders Lodge, she joined the Home Care team at the end of 2006 and has been dedicated to the service ever since.
“The changes have been significant,” Toni explains. “We’ve seen changes in staffing, expanded our scope of practice, and now offer many more services. We’ve increased programs like palliative care, foot care, case management, grief support, diabetes support, and immunizations.”
Another member of the team, Kristen Smith, began her nursing journey with Siksika Health Services in December 2007 as a Maternal Child Health Nurse during the second phase of that program’s pilot project. After being part of the successful implementation of the maternal-child program, Kristen transitioned to Home Care in April 2009. “As a young nursing student, I had vowed to assist my people with their health, and it has become an invaluable experience and reward, hearing their stories, their successes and entrusted me with them,” she reflects.
A newer team member, Darbi-Jo Malone, with 1.5 years in Home Care but 3 years with Siksika Health Services, previously gained clinic experience with Big Country PCN before joining the Siksika Elders’ Lodge team.
Each day begins with “morning report,” where the team gathers to discuss the previous day’s assignments and any new or ongoing concerns with clients. This meeting serves as more than just an information exchange; it’s where nurses advocate for clients who need an extra voice while navigating the healthcare system. The team collaborates on specific care plans and determines assignments for the day, always keeping safety in mind for each home visit.
What follows is never predictable. “Day to day is different from wound care, foot care, injections, critical thinking, case management, palliative care, and debriefing,” explains Kristen Smith. Team members provide services ranging from wound care and medication administration to bathing assistance, home making, and meals on wheels. The work also includes vital sign checks, case management, and consultations on navigating the broader healthcare system.
When clients are first admitted to home care, staff show them a pamphlet of available services. “Most times the client is surprised by the services we offer,” notes Toni Running Rabbit. Many people don’t realize that Siksika Home Care now provides comprehensive support including palliative care, grief support, diabetes management, and immunizations – services that have expanded significantly over the years.
What makes the team especially effective is their collaborative approach and continuous learning mindset. “What I enjoy most about working in and with the Home Care team is the collaboration; we work and problem solve together,” explains Kristen. Some team members have developed specialties within their scope of practice, and these skills are shared as in-house teaching and training.
The highlights of the work center on the relationships built with clients. “Highlights include visiting with the clients, getting to know each of them, and hearing their stories. There’s always something to learn and teach in nursing,” says Toni. For Indigenous nurses serving their own community, there’s special meaning in being able to provide culturally sensitive care while building trust.
However, the work comes with emotional challenges. The hardest part is losing clients who have become like family over years of care. Losing a client and not being able to grieve properly is difficult, and an agreed upon challenge by much of the team. “Home care doesn’t offer much in terms of talking to a counselor, though we do debrief as a group,” notes Toni.
Other challenges include vehicle maintenance, occasional supply shortages, and staffing turnover. Weather can also make travel difficult, and the work can sometimes feel isolating for team members.
Despite these challenges, the team finds deep satisfaction in their work. “I appreciate the opportunity to expand my scope of practice,” Toni Running Rabbit continues. “The resources that surround our Home Care department compared to other communities – we are very fortunate.”
The service supports people of all ages who need healthcare assistance in their homes, whether due to injury, chronic conditions, or other health challenges. By bringing comprehensive care directly to homes and building personal relationships with families, the Siksika Home Care team is working to rebuild trust while ensuring community members can receive quality healthcare in familiar, comfortable surroundings.
Their commitment shows in their daily dedication to serving community members during vulnerable times, providing not just medical care but dignity, respect, and hope when families need it most. As the program continues to grow and evolve, these dedicated healthcare workers remain the heart of a service that truly makes a difference in people’s lives.
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6th Annual Every Child Matters Calgary Hitmen Game
Comments Off on 6th Annual Every Child Matters Calgary Hitmen GameThe 2026 Every Child Matters hockey game will take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta at 2:00pm on February 22, 2026 between the Calgary Hitmen and the Red Deer Rebels. This is the sixth annual Every Child Matters game presented by the Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club and Siksika Health Services. Participants of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend the event; tickets can be purchased on the Calgary Hitmen website.
The Every Child Matters game is part of a much larger movement of the same name, and is a recognition and commitment to action to ensure that all children know their importance, and to honour those who attended Residential Schools in Canada, their families, and communities.
