July Newsletter
Key Article
By Diana Frost – Rotary Club of Calgary East
One of the first things I always do when I travel to a foreign land is I learn at least these two words in their language: Hello and Thank you. Even if my pronunciation is off, people love to hear me try and to help me say it properly.
Consider learning how to say these words in Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, Stoney Nakoda and Michif, the 4 Indigenous languages native to southern Alberta.
Blackfoot | Tsuut’ina (SOO-tih-nah) | Îyârhe [ee-YAH-hhay] Nakoda | Michif (Metis Region 3 language) | |
Hello | Oki (Oh-ghee) | Danit’ada (danidt-adah) | âba wathtech (AHM- bah wah-THTAYCH) | Taanishi (Tawn-shay) |
Thank you | No oral word – place hand over heart | Siyisgaas | Isniyés [ish-niesh] | Maarsii (mar-see) |
The nations and subgroups in Southern Alberta:
The Blackfoot Confederacy is comprised of the Siksika (Sigsiga), Kainai (Gay-nah) or Blood Tribe, Piikani (Pee-gun-nee) or Peigan and Aamskapi Pikuni First Nations. (from https://blackfootconfederacy.ca/about/) The Blackfoot language is part of the Algonquian language family (https://blackfoot.algonquianlanguages.ca/)
The Îyârhe [ee-YAH-hhay] or Stoney Nakoda include the Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. The Stoney Nakoda language comes from the Nakoda dialect which is part of the Sioux-Assiniboine language family. (from https://stoneynakodanations.com/about-us/)
The Tsuut’ina (Soo-tih-nah) people were formerly called the Sarcee (Sarsi) is connected to the Dene Nation and their language is part of the Athabaskan language family. (from https://tsuutina.com/)
The Métis from Region 3 speak Michif. It is mainly a mixture of French and Cree language but some variations also include Ojibwe and English words. (https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/michif )
Indigenous languages are rich repositories of cultural knowledge, traditions and history. Revitalizing Indigenous languages is a way to preserve the past while also fostering a richer, more inclusive future. Next time you go to an event where there are Indigenous people, try these words out. Feel free to ask for people to correct your pronunciation. It’s a great ice breaker.
DIRC Activities – Second Quarter 2024
The District Indigenous Relations Committee continues to advance its work to support the District. This included:
- On June 17, DIRC hosted an end of the year celebration to acknowledge the work done this year and set the stage for the work to be done in the upcoming year. Activities included a land acknowledgement; pipe ceremony; transfer of District 5360 Talking Stick from District Governor Kurt to Christina and a presentation of donations collected at the District Conference to the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY).
Suggested ReconciliAction
The summer is a great time to go on a road trip. A few of my favorites include Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Writing on Stone Provincial Park and Tsuut’ina Cultural Museum. We highly recommend that you make some of these Indigenous experiences part of your summer: https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/indigenous-experiences-in-and-around-calgary
Calendar of Events
July 3, 10am-4pm, Genesis Centre Indigenous market, for details, click here
July 3, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm – Good Stoney Stampede Pancake breakfast, click here
July 4, 8:30 am – 11:30 am – Siksika Nation Stampede Breakfast, click here
July 5 – July 13 - Elbow River Camp, click here
July 6, Sober Stampede, free outdoor concert and festival, 12-8pm, 11 Ave & Macleod Trail SE, for details click here
July 7 & 8 – Stampede Powwow, Scotiabank Saddledome, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Click here.
July 8, 11am-2pm, Annual Stampede BBQ by Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Marlborough Community Centre, for details, click here
July 10, Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council Stampede BBQ, 11am-1pm, BCTC office, for details, click here
July 19-21 - Kainai Powwow, for details, click here
July 26-28 – Tsuut’ina Powwow, Redwood Meadows Fairgrounds. Click here
Jul 26 - Jul 28, Camp LEAD - July session! (1:30PM - 4PM) — click here
Aug 18, Ama'hna'bino "They are taking me home" 3rd Annual Walk from Morley to Olympic Plaza, for details click here
Aug 21 – Aug 22, Lethbridge & District Siksikaitsitapi Powwow, click here
Aug 29-Sept 2, Alberta Indigenous Games (Edmonton), for details, click here
Suggested Volunteer Opportunity
“Elizabeth Fry Society has worked for almost 60 years providing support to individuals who have been systemically criminalized. Working from the context of Siim Ohksin and Wahkotiwin (Indigenous natural laws), the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary supports individual pathways to healing by restoring harmony, reparation of harm, and regaining relationships. Through a restorative justice lens, Indigenous relatives are supported towards improving their lives through their own resiliency and the consistency of supports which lead to their own personal levels of achievement” (from https://elizabethfrycalgary.ca/)
Consider volunteering for the Elizabeth Fry Society. For more information, visit https://elizabethfrycalgary.ca/programs/volunteer-programs/
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.