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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow at Scotiabank Saddledome
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Monday, Sept 26, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Calgary (Mohkinstsis), AB – Friday, September 30th, 2022, at 6:00PM, Siksika Health Services and the Calgary Hitmen will come together in partnership once again, this time to host the Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow in the Scotiabank Saddledome. The rare event will mark the September 30th National Day for Truth & Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day. The powwow will open with a special greeting from the founder of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad. The evening of dancing will include two feature dances consisting of an Orange Regalia Youth Dance (ages 7-12) and a special Honor Song for all residential school survivors in attendance.
WHO: Dr. Tyler White, CEO, Siksika Health Services; Siksika Nation representatives; Calgary Hitmen representatives; other dignitaries & event sponsors
WHERE: Scotiabank Saddledome
WHEN: Doors open @ 6:00pm; event start @ 7:00pm – 10:00pm on Friday September 30th
This event could not be possible without Siksika Health Services’ amazing partners and sponsors: the First Nations Health Consortium, Challenge Industries, Miller Thompson LLP, Okaki, Siksika Nation Treasury, The Blackfoot Confederacy, Siksika Family Services, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, LDI Printing Solutions, and Classroom Champions.
The Every Child Matters name is part of a much larger movement founded by Phyllis Webstad. It’s 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.
Please note that this is a cultural event: when photographing or filming a powwow, it’s important to be respectful and not take photos or film during certain moments – please see additional guidance below. Media are asked to confirm attendance.
Photography and/or Videography of the Powwow:
- There will be no stock photography at this event.
- When you’re at a powwow, you’re at a cultural event. As such there may be some customs and traditions that are unfamiliar to you or others who are present, yet they are highly significant. Please show respect throughout, and feel free to ask questions about what’s appropriate and what’s not.
- While you may technically be in public, it’s considered impolite to take photos without first asking permission. If you’re told no, please respect that.
- When photographing a powwow, it is important to be respectful and not take photos during prayers, flag songs or other ceremonies or when the MC has forbid photos.
- Many dancers have worked for hours to create their beautiful beadwork and it is something personally meaningful to them. Some don’t like to have this beadwork photographed, as it may allow someone else to copy the design.
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For information contact:
Cassandra Vilgrain
Communications Coordinator
(403) 921 7511
Ryan Running Rabbit
Communications, Siksika Health Services
(403) 361 0584
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Deerfoot Sportsplex Hosts Calgary Hitmen Pre-Season Game
Leave a CommentFor the second year in a row, Siksika Nation hosted the Calgary Hitmen’s pre-season opening game at the Siksika Deerfoot Sportsplex on Sept. 17, 2022 against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
This event builds on a growing partnership between the Calgary Hitmen and Siksika Health Services.
The Calgary Hitmen and Siksika Health Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2021 and through the signing of the MOU, the partners commit to continued growth of the vision and engagement of the Every Child Matters game: to inspire all youth, with a focus on Indigenous youth, to participate in sports, and to understand that we can heal collectively through reconcili-action.
The aim of the partnership is to create the new normal for the promotion of cultural awareness in sporting events, with the hope of expanding the power and reach that events like this can have on communities.
Together, the partners are working to address stereotypes and racism by advancing inclusion in our communities through the promotion of Indigenous culture, language and history, and promote healthy lifestyles for all youth by highlighting the benefits of participation in sport.
Final score of the game was 3-2 for the Calgary Hitmen.
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Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow
Leave a CommentThe Every Child Matters traditional powwow is set to take place on September 30, 2022 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The powwow is presented by Siksika Health Services in collaboration with the Calgary Hitmen (Calgary Sports & Entertainment Group) and will take place on a day of great significance: Sept. 30th, Canada’s National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
The National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, known more commonly to Indigenous communities as “Orange Shirt Day”, honours those who attended Residential Schools in Canada, their families, and communities. By commemorating the legacy of Residential School survivors, and those who never returned home, we participate in a vital component of the reconciliation process. O
Our Sept. 30 event, the “Every Child Matters” traditional powwow, is part of a much larger movement of the same name, that reaffirms for Residential School attendees that they matter, and is a recognition and commitment to action to ensure that all children know their importance.
Powwow details:
Doors to the Scotiabank Saddledome will open at 6:00pm with the event beginning at 7:00pm, and is free to attend with the donation of a non-perishable food item or article of winter clothing.
The host drum will be Sorrel Rider drum group and the first 10 drums are paid. There will be an orange regalia youth special for junior categories ages 7-12. We will honour Indian Residential School survivors with an honour song and dance.
The registration for vendors is now closed. For more information visit https://siksikahealth.com/event/every-child-matters-traditional-powwow/
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Bret Hart’s Walk of Fame Donation to SN7
Leave a CommentBrett ‘Hitman’ Hart’s was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021. Bret is a close friend and supporter of Siksika Health Services and the public celebration to honour Bret on Sept. 12 will include a special recognition of our friendship.
Each inductee into Canada’s Walk of Fame receives $10,000 to donate to charity and Hart has selected to evenly divide the money between the our SN7 youth program and Water First, an organization dedicated to providing sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities in Canada.
Siksika SN7 is a group of youth and young adults who provide peer-to-peer support, programs and activities for other youth and young adults in Siksika Nation, and beyond. SN7 promotes healthy lifestyles, including support and skill-building in physical fitness and physical literacy, recreational activities, essential skills, mental wellness, and culture.
The hometown ceremony will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the Victoria Pavilion, located at 1800 Stampede Trail S.E., near the south entrance to the Stampede grounds.
Monday’s ceremony, which is free to attend, is scheduled to include traditional drumming from Siksika’s Sorrel Rider Drum Group, a blessing from Siksika Elder Clement Leather, and performances of the national anthem, as well as a song dedicated to Hart, by 15-year-old Kaiya Gamble.
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Siksika Elders Prepare For The New Continuing Care Centre
Leave a CommentPictured here: Kory Duck Chief (Siksika Elder’s Lodge Team lead), Floria Duck Chief (Siksika Health Cultural Advisor), and Raymonda Water Chief are joined by Elders Laura and Gerald Sitting Eagle, Clement Leather and drummer Randy Hair Bull. Earlier in August, a group of SHS staff, and Siksika Elders gathers on the site of Siksika’s future new Continuing Care Centre to pray and participate in a land blessing ceremony. The gathering was to prepare to break ground for the new facility which will support our beloved Elders and individuals who require supportive living.
For information on the development of the new Siksika Continuing Care centre, visit https://siksikahealth.com/about/future-developments/
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Statement on passing of Siksika Elder Leo Pretty Young Man
Leave a CommentSiksika Health Services would like to extend our prayers to the family of Siksika Nation elder Leo Pretty Young Man.
Leo was a man who took great pride in our Siksika way of life. He was a leader in many ways and Siksika Health would like to thank him for his leadership and contribution in guiding cultural components that will continue to guide Siksika Health in the future. He was involved with the implementation of the Awahkiyasoopokiyis program that was offered to families through Siksika Health Services.
Leo also worked along side SHS as a leader during the Covid-19 pandemics to ensure that the 2020-2022 Siksika Sundance was practiced in a safe and respectable manner and ensure we followed protocols safely. He provided traditional knowledge and teachings to Siksika Health employees and clients when needed. Recently during the last sundance Leo Pretty Young Man participated in a meeting with Siksika Health Services and recommended that our traditional practices of smudging and prayer be included in hospital facilities to help our people.
He said this is the the utmost importance and to have our culture recognized and have our people practice our traditional ways as needed. He was not only a traditional leader of the society’s but he was also a great horseman and the equine teachings he passed on to many young men will be forever remembered.
In a recent conversation with Leo, he mentioned that it is important that our knowledge keepers continue to teach the young about our traditional way of life because it belongs to all of Siksika. We’d like to wish our sincere condolences to the family.
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Siksika Health Services Receives Palliative & End of Life Care Grant
Leave a CommentSiksika Health Services is pleased to announce its success as one of twenty-five funding recipients of the province of Alberta’s Palliative & End of Life Care (PEOLC) Community Capacity Building Grant Program.
The new resources will enhance Siksika Health Services’ capacity to care for Siksika Nation’s palliative patients by allowing more people to receive the compassionate and culturally-sensitive care they require, without having to leave their home or community, and keep Siksika Nation families together longer.
Access to appropriate and timely palliative and end-of-life care is of critical importance. In remote communities like the Siksika First Nation, located ~100km East of the city of Calgary, this challenge is met by Siksika Health’s Home Care program, through which health professionals provide in-home care for those nearing end-of-life.
To-date, the program has run with limited capacity; this new funding will allow the existing program to: develop effective caregiver supports for Siksika Nation members in their homes and community; establish and implement palliative care education and training for community members, family, and healthcare providers; and empower more community members to receive the care they require in the comfort of their homes and community.
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Siksika Nation issues fire ban
Leave a CommentDue to the recent dry and warm conditions, the Siksika Nation Emergency Services has issued a partial fire ban that will take place effective August 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm.
All open fires are banned with the exception of approved recreational and incinerator fires. These approved recreational and incinerator fires MUST be contained, supervised and fully extinguished upon completion.
Approved Recreational Fires
- Ceremonial smudges and sweats
- Campfires within a metal ring device or dug into the ground with some type of non-combustible material surrounding the pit.
- Portable propane fire pits contained within designated fire pits
- Gas or propane stoves and barbeques designed for cooking or heating
Prohibited
- ALL open fires, including the use of charcoal briquettes
- Open Burning barrels
- The unlawful discharging of fireworks
For further information or clarification, please call the Siksika Nation Fire/Rescue during normal business hours at (403) 734–3999
This will remain in effect until further notice
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Have fun and stay safe this weekend
Leave a CommentSiksika Health Services wants community members and visitors to enjoy the Siksika Nation Fair by reducing your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by following safer sex practices. It is also important to watch your alcohol consumption. If you choose to drink alcohol, know your limits, including when not to drink alcohol at all.
Practice safer sex:
Safer sexual practices, like using condoms help protect against STIs. Common STIs in Alberta include syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
A particular concern is syphilis, as there is an ongoing syphilis outbreak in Alberta. If not treated, syphilis may cause blindness, paralysis, deafness, brain and heart disease, and mental health problems. Untreated syphilis in pregnancy can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.
Cases of syphilis have been observed across all age groups in this outbreak. Anyone engaging in unprotected sex outside a mutually monogamous relationship is at risk of syphilis infection and other STIs.
You can prevent getting an STI by:
- Talking with your partner about using protection and about each other’s history of STIs, before sexual activity.
- Using condoms as protection
- Getting tested regularly for STIs, even if you don’t have any symptoms.
- Getting immunized against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Consider your alcohol use:
Alcohol changes the way a person thinks, acts, and feels. Alcohol can affect your coordination, balance, reaction time, judgment, and ability to make safe and healthy decisions for you and others.
Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults generally means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
If you choose to drink:
- Opt for low percent alcohol.
- Keep hydrating, alternate alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic (preferably water).
- Eat before and during your drinking.
- Avoid consuming cannabis or other drugs with alcohol.
- Plan a safe and sober way home.
Zero is the limit when:
- Taking medicine or other drugs that interact with alcohol.
- Pregnant, planning to become pregnant or about to breastfeed.
- Doing any dangerous physical activity.
- Driving a vehicle or using machinery and tools.
- Responsible for the safety of others.
- Making important decisions.
If you are with someone who is choosing not to drink, support them to maintain their “no alcohol” decision.
