November Newsletter
Indigenous peoples are the Original peoples of Canada and learned to survive in hostile environments. They welcome other nations with an open heart and deserve reciprocity. Dr. Elder Grandmother Doreen Spence OC
Around the District
Metal Tipi Structure - Rotary Club of Drumheller By Lynn Fabrick
I started a project that was a dream of mine. A metal tipi sculpture. I wanted more visibility and representation of the indigenous culture that is where I work and play. I was asked many times because I own my own authentic indigenous retail gift shop and gallery in downtown Drumheller, why there wasn’t more awareness of what nation and treaty we were on. So, I gathered information, approached the Drumheller Rotary Club and asked them if they would support this project. It was a resounding yes. Then the hard work began.
I submitted all of the paperwork, permit applications, insurances, etc. I approached Town of Drumheller requesting that the location be on our blessed, sacred powwow grounds. I was informed that things would have to wait due to flood mitigation and berm construction.
I approached a local welding business and approached a sign maker in Red Deer. These businesses were amazing and fully on board.
I am the Indigenous Liaison for the Drumheller Rotary Club and have been a member for over two years. I am so proud to be a member and the continued support that they offer the community including my annual powwow.
After almost 2 years the tipi sculpture is complete, see attached picture. I am so proud of this project. I continue to educate and inform locals and visitors about the indigenous history and culture of the area. My hope is that this sculpture will help deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation of our indigenous history. I hope it will become a must-see destination for everyone who visits, offering them a meaningful glimpse into our shared heritage.
Thank you to everyone who supported this great step forward in reconciliation.
Miigwech
Lynn
Suggested ReconciliAction
In the last newsletters we shared six ways to check if your club is inclusive. Here are three more. Look for ways to make it more welcoming and respectful of Indigenous cultures and perspectives. Here are a few steps you can take:
- Celebrate Indigenous cultures through events, displays, and recognition of significant dates like National Indigenous Peoples Day.
- Create channels for Indigenous employees to provide feedback on their experiences and the inclusivity of the workplace, and act on this feedback.
- Regularly review and assess the effectiveness of your inclusivity efforts and make necessary adjustments.
DIRC Activities – Third Quarter 2024
The District Indigenous Relations Committee (DIRC) continues to advance its work to support the District. This included:
- DIRC members represent Rotary clubs from across the District. New members from Stampede, Drumheller, and Red Deer have joined this year.
- DIRC continues to collaborate with the Youth Service Committee and the DEI Committee to support the Seeds Connections program within the District. We hosted a webinar on September 10, 2024, with Calgary area Rotary Clubs to learn about the project from students and teachers involved in last year’s program. We are hoping on Rotary clubs being able to expand their support for the Seeds Connection program from 3 to 5 schools this year.
- The DIRC hosted a booth and walked in the Annual Orange Shirt Day Walk in Calgary on September 23, 2024. Indigenous Arts and Events for Reconciliation | Honoring Children from all generations (cifrs.ca).
- The DIRC partnered with USAY and community organizations to host the Future Elders Gathering event on October 3, 2024. Over 70 people attended from Indigenous youth-serving organizations, industry and giving groups to build connections, identify service gaps focusing on diversity and intercultural understanding, and integrate these insights into social service models, especially for Indigenous youth. 8 Rotarians from Calgary area clubs participated in the gathering. The DIRC hosted an information booth, and Lorilee Higgins was one of the Keynote speakers.
- The DIRC raised over $600 during last year’s DISCON. A cheque was presented to USAY
- The DIRC worked with local and international leaders to submit nine (9) Indigenous-related presentations for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary.
Social Media
DIRC has an Instagram account – Click here to check it out.
Indigenous Veterans
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country. While exact statistics are difficult to determine, the rate of Indigenous participation in Canada's military efforts over the years has been impressive. These determined volunteers were often forced to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform, from learning a new language and adapting to cultural differences, to having to travel great distances from their remote communities just to enlist. The challenges they faced often extended to their post-service life. Many Indigenous war Veterans would not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian Veterans. For more details on Indigenous roles in Canadian military service, click here.
Mark the 30th Indigenous Veterans Day with the Memory Project on November 7th.
This Remembrance season, join Historica Canada and the Memory Project on November 7th as we mark the 30th anniversary of Indigenous Veterans Day with an online panel, Reflections on the Service of Indigenous Veterans. Moderated by Cree and Gitxsan journalist Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, this panel features three of our Indigenous Memory Project speakers, Randi Gage, Bill Shead, and Bob Crane. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link closer to the date of the event and submit your questions for our discussion. Please share the registration link with your family and friends.
This panel will be held on Zoom on November 7th at 1:00pm (ET). To register, click here.
It will be in English with French captioning.
Calendar of Events
Nov 7th, 1:00pm (ET), Reflections on the Service of Indigenous Veterans, a Zoom-based panel. For more information, see above, and to register, click here.
Nov 18th, Indigitech Destiny Innovation Summit. This conference focuses on fostering innovation and collaboration within Indigenous communities by highlighting cutting-edge technologies and promoting economic empowerment. It serves as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring opportunities for Indigenous-led advancements in the tech industry. For tickets, click here.
Nov 18th, Words to Action – Building Accountable Land Acknowledgements Together at artsPlace. For details, see attached. To register for free, click here.
Nov 19th, Metis Citizenship and Harvesting application process help. Are you Metis? The Otipemisiwak Metis government want to help you through their Metis Citizenship and Harvesting application process. For details, click here.
Nov 21 – Facts vs. Fiction Regarding our Indigenous Neighbors. Rotary Club of Raymond event at the Standoff, Blood Tribe Recreation and Parks Multi-purpose building. For more details, see attached.
Nov 24 – Nov 26th, Stoney Nakoda Language Conference, Fairmont Banff Springs. For more info, click here.
Nov 28, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Stoney Nakoda Markets’ 10th Annual Christmas Market at the Mini Thni Gym. For details, 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 you have material you would like to submit, please contact Brad Sewall at brad@sewall.ca.