January Newsletter
Relationships build at the speed of trust. Patience is a virtue well-used when it comes to Truth and Reconciliation. Elder Casey Eaglespeaker
DIRC Activities – A Year in Review
As 2024 comes to a close and we look forward to 2025, we wanted to provide you with updates on the District Indigenous Relations Committee. The committee has continued to build a strong foundation for Indigenous literacy, learning and relationships. Here is a summary of our activities and some of the related results.
The DIRC members have facilitated club and district Indigenous learning opportunities, including:
- Land Based Training
- Reconciliation through Art workshop
- Presentations to clubs - Brooks, Chinook, Canmore, Cochrane, Downtown
- Presentation to the District Leadership Team workshop, as well as and Pets and Sets
- Drafted a PPT presentation on Rotary Youth programs to share with Indigenous organizations
- Hosted DIRC booths at the District Conference House of Friendship and TRC Day event
DIRC has seen clubs increase their service time and investments in Indigenous projects. We recognize that we are not aware of all achievements, but would like to acknowledge the following;
- Downtown - 1200 burgers at Aboriginal Awareness Week BBQ
- East, Brooks and West - Sponsored Siksika Powwow
- Canmore - Nakoda School and meals at Chiniki Kitchen
- Heritage Park – Shelter for Indigenous Elders and their oral discussions with park guests
- Drumheller – Erected a metal tipi structure to represent Indigenous culture
- Raymond – worked with the Standoff Interact club to encourage over 800 random acts of kindness in November.
- Cardston & Raymond – worked with the Interact club to do their sixth annual Christmas hamper program to supply 12 hampers to families in need from the middle school.
Our district grant project hosted two impactful events: a standoff in Calgary. The committee worked with the DEI and the Youth Services Committee to support the SEEDS CONNECTION Program. Seven clubs supported students from 3 schools.
The Communications Committee developed the monthly newsletter and set up Instagram and Facebook accounts.
In 2025, we are looking forward to continuing the District Grant Project - Hosting a friendship event in Red Deer and developing some learning modules; expanding our reach (within Rotary and the community); hosting an "on the land" cultural workshop; encouraging clubs to support SEEDS CONNECTION schools in their area; and improving our website.
DIRC and the Calgary RI Convention
RI has tentatively approved 2500 square feet within the House of Friendship for an Indigenous Gathering Space Pavilion. Several stipulations and benchmarks have to be completed in the next few months.
We have proposed that the convention opening ceremony start with a new Rotary land acknowledgement video, plus a welcome and blessing by Treaty 7 leadership.
Two workshop sessions will feature Indigenous issues:
Global Indigenous Dialogue
Colonialization of Indigenous communities globally has led to inequitable treatment of Indigenous People. Join to learn the challenges and unique perspectives of Indigenous Leaders from New Zealand, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mexico and Canada (North America). We will explore Māori leadership, resource governance impact on Indigenous communities, complexities faced in Mexico, decolonization and intergenerational trauma and Acting upon Calls to Action.
Organized by: Dan Doherty
Building Partnerships with Indigenous Communities
This session will explore how building strategic alliances can empower indigenous communities to drive sustainable, community-led solutions. Drawing on real-world experiences from Proyecto Ocho and collaborations with Rotary Clubs, the session will highlight strategies for partnering with NGOs, governments, and local stakeholders. Attendees will learn practical tools for building trust, aligning objectives, and promoting self-determination within.
Organized by: Carlos Moreira-Alvarez
Indigenous Learning Experience
The New Blood Dance Show, featuring poetry, music, and contemporary and traditional dance, the show is inspired by the life of Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman and his experience as a child in residential school, how he reclaimed his way of life and became chief of his people. New Blood is scheduled as part of the Rotary International Conference in June.
Absolutely Canadian is a national one-hour series showcasing documentaries and performance programs that tell unique stories from communities across Canada. All programs are produced locally. The episode “New Blood” is a documentary of the making of New Blood. See it on CBC Gemm (create a CBC account) – click New Blood.
Absolutely Canadian is a national one-hour series showcasing documentaries and performance programs that tell unique stories from communities across Canada. All programs are produced locally. The episode “New Blood” is a documentary of the making of New Blood. See it on CBC Gemm (create a CBC account) – click New Blood.
Social Media
Calendar of Events
- Dec 31, 7:00 p.m. – New Year’s Eve Round Dance at the Bullhead Community Hall. For details, click here.
- Jan 11, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. – Calgary Flames Indigenous Celebration. LA Kings vs. Calgary Flames.
- Jan 16 – 10:30 – 12:00 noon – Honoraria and Gifting: a culturally parallel practice for engagement of traditional knowledge keepers, part of the University of Calgary Indigenous Strategy. The event is for U of C students, staff and alumni only. To register, click here.
- Jan 16, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Rev. Tony Snow presents “Reconciliation and Repair: Treaty, Covenant, Relationship, Bond” at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. To register, click here.
- Jan 23 – Indigenous Tourism Alberta Regional Gathering at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino. For info, click here.
- Jan 24, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Blood Tribe: Bear Awareness Workshop at the Kainai Multi-Purpose Building & Kainai Public Library. For information, click here.
- Jan 29, 10:00 a.m., Land Acknowledgment Workshop, part of the University of Calgary Indigenous Strategy. The event is for U of C students, staff and alumni only. To register, click here. The prerequisite for the Land Acknowledgement Event is The Story of ii’ taa’poh’to’p (again, exclusive to University of Calgary students, faculty, staff, and alumni). To register for the prerequisite, click here.
- Save the date – May 10 & 11 - 2nd Annual Eagle Spirit Powwow in Taber. For details, click here.
- Save the date – June 6 – 8 – Lead by Example Powwow at the Strathmore Agricultural Society. For info, click here.
The DIRC Newsletter
This newsletter is published monthly by the District 5360 Indigenous Relations Committee. If you have any questions about the newsletter or material you would like to submit, please email Brad Sewall.