July Newsletter
"That hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow, and I shall feel pain. The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a Man." – Standing Bear
Around the District
- Rotary Club of Calgary Chinook
- submitted by Keith Wellon
This Rotary year, Calgary Chinook established their Indigenous Committee, chaired by Keith Wellon. Other members include past president Anthony Tonkinson, Director Sharon Fraiman, Director Brennen Pell and Stephen Pick. Keith Wellon is also a member of the District Indigenous Relations Committee (DIRC).
With the committee's $5,000 budget, the committee supported the Seeds Connection, a high school outside-credit certified program designed to develop understanding and leadership skills related to diversity, including Indigenous perspectives. And on how to recognize and address discrimination, prejudice, and other issues. Also supported by other Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. They also supported the unique Indigenous Pavilion at the RI Convention House of Friendship.
With the belief that the Journey of reconciliation starts with learning & understanding, the year one objective was to have committee members engage. At least one of the members participated in the following indigenous events & activities: DIRC organized Indigenous Perspectives Workshop, including talking circle, and sweat lodge experience; Indigenous breakout session at the District Conference in Drumheller; Orange Shirt Walk; Seeds Connection Webinar; an evening session at the Cochrane Indigenous Center; "Future Elders Gathering" DIRC partnered with USAY (Urban Society for Indigenous Youth); volunteered at the Indigenous Awareness BBQ hosted by the Calgary Downtown club; Human Trafficking session with Elders at the Tsuut'ina police station; attended the Indigenous day portion of the Seeds Connections high school on-the-land component; Indigenous Land-Based Learning Day at the Brown Bear Woman Center on Tsuut'ina land; Jack James High School for presentation by students who participated in the Seeds Connection program; volunteered at the Indigenous Pavilion at the RI Convention House of Friendship; and attended "New Blood", an RI convention featured event of a play with Indigenous actors concerning a Residential School survivor.
Club activities supporting Indigenous awareness included President Rob Wolfson starting every meeting with detailed Indigenous information and DIRC Chair Cam Stewart (Rotary International 2023 Person of Action - Champion of Inclusion) speaking at our club about Indigenous culture and myths.
The committee's plan for year two is to engage the club's membership with opportunities for Indigenous learning experiences. If you would like to chat more about our committee and its activities, please email Keith Wellon.
- District Indigenous Relations Committee (DIRC) Teepee
- submitted by Cam Stewart
Oki, Danit'ada, Tansi, Tanshi, Hi friends...
I'm thrilled to update that as of last night, Rotary District 5360 now has its very own teepee! This is a significant step for our Rotary family and something we can all take pride in. I know that those who could not attend were there in spirit, and we felt your prayers.
We set the teepee up at the Rotary International Convention in the Indigenous Pavilion (see article below). It will travel to community events and educational gatherings all across southern Alberta.
To mark this special moment, we held a Teepee Transfer Ceremony, led by Elder Bruce Starlight, who reminded us that this is truly "The People's Teepee", a space that welcomes everyone from everywhere.
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District 5360 executives and guests at the ceremony. | Ceremonial hatchet blessed at the event. |
It was a beautiful ceremony, witnessed by fellow Rotarians, community members, and supporters like you. It reinforces our commitment to reconciliation, learning, and coming together as a community.
Thank you for being part of this Journey. Here's to many gatherings, conversations, and connections under our new teepee — together.
Social Media
Rotary International Conference
- Celebrating Indigenous Awareness at the Rotary International Convention
- Submitted by Cam Stewart
What an inspiring way to honour Indigenous Awareness Day and Month! Our District had the privilege of hosting the first-ever Indigenous Pavilion at a Rotary International Convention — a milestone built on hope, collaboration, and countless hours of hard work.
This could not have happened without the power of collaboration and community. Last year, Dan Doherty and I recognized that the convention was an opportunity to advance the work of the District 5360 Indigenous Relations Committee and to showcase what reconciliation in action looks like. With the guidance and input of an Indigenous Advisory Group, we shared their vision with Rotary International and the Host Organizing Committee. Thanks to their support and generous donations from partners, including Fasken Law, TransAlta, Grey Eagle Casino, as well as District 5360, District 5550, Downtown, Stampede, and Chinook Clubs, this vision came to life.
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Cam Stewart and Dan Doherty | International guests at the Pavilion. |
Throughout the week, the Pavilion became a vibrant gathering place to celebrate Indigenous culture, share knowledge, and highlight remarkable artisans. Each day began with a smudge, grounding us in reflection and gratitude before moving into a series of powerful "Teepee Talk" presentations.
We were honoured to learn from exceptional speakers, including Colby Delorme, Elder Cassie Eagle Speaker; Niigaanwewidam Sinclair; Elder Tina Fox; Elder Bruce Starlight; Teddy Manywounds; Elder Georgia Yellow Old Woman; Elder Clarence Wolfleg; and Elder Adrian Wolfleg.
Topics ranged from the Monarch Butterfly Project and Majorville Medicine Wheel to Indigenous tourism, Seeds Connections, and the vital work of repatriating artifacts to Indigenous communities by the Glenbow Museum.
A special highlight was witnessing live paintings created by artist Keegan Starlight, drawing many visitors to stop, reflect, and engage in conversation.
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Artist Keegan Starlight | Elder Clarence Wolfleg |
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Rotarians from around the world shared how meaningful it was to see Indigenous voices and experiences so thoughtfully represented. Many expressed a strong interest in creating a dedicated Rotary Fellowship or International Action Group focused on Indigenous issues — stay tuned for further developments!
A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who supported the Pavilion throughout the convention; one more step on Rotary's collective Journey working with Indigenous Peoples.
- Guardians of Sacred Lands
In 2016, a bulldozer was preparing to excavate a basement for a new house on the Siksika reserve. Local Siksika women arrived on the site just in time to prevent the destruction of a sacred site where the digging was to take place.
Since then, thirteen of these ladies have joined to form the Guardians of Sacred Lands. Led by Georgia Yellow Old Woman, their mandate is to protect the more than forty sacred sites around southern Alberta. They are joined by Charlie Newton Price, a Vancouver Rotarian, whose Journey to connect with indigenous roots led him to these ladies.
The Guardians hosted a booth at the RI Convention to raise awareness about their work and garner support for their next steps. The hosts were very pleased with the interest from around the world and the stories others shared about similar efforts.
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Charlie Newton Price and Georgia Yellow Old Woman | Bryan Little Chief, Charlie Newton Price, Krista White Pup, Alanna Many Bears, Georgia Yellow Old Woman, Adrian Wolfleg |
To embark on your Journey of discovery and to be part of preserving Blackfoot cultural landscapes, click here.
Sponsorship Opportunities
- Dancing with the Dinosaurs
Sixth Annual Dancing with the Dinosaurs Powwow in Drumheller. Enjoy traditional dance, prayer, and delicious Indigenous cuisine. The Powwow is also an excellent opportunity to learn, reflect, and show our support for Indigenous communities. For sponsorship opportunities, please email dancingdinosaurs5@gmail.com. For more information, click here.
Calendar of Events
- July 4 – 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Building Bridges Beyond Boarders Fashion Show at Waterfront Park. 5225 101 St. NW, Calgary. For tickets, click here.
- July 9, 8:00 – noon. Tosguna Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service's 20th annual Stampede Pancake Breakfast. For details, click here.
- July 9, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 2nd Annual Métis Stampede Festival at the Confluence Historic Park hosted by the Calgary Elbow, Calgary Nose Hill and Rocky View Metis Districts. For details, click here.
- July 10 – 11, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 2nd Annual Hand Games Competition @ the Calgary Stampede Elbow River Camp. For more information, click here.
- July 12 – 13, noon – 6:00 p.m. Calgary Stampede Powwow. For details about the Powwow, the powwow dances or to register, click here.
- July 18 – 20, Kainai Powwow and Celebration. For more information, click here.
- July 23 – 27, Tsuut'ina Annual Celebration including Powwow, rodeo, hand games and more. For details, click here.
- August 2 – 3, Sixth Annual Dancing with the Dinosaurs Powwow in Drumheller. Enjoy traditional dance, prayer, and delicious Indigenous cuisine. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, reflect, and show our support for Indigenous communities. For more information, click here.
- Aug. 18 – 22, Tsuut'ina Treaties 1 – 11 Gathering at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex. For Inquiries, please contact T1-11@tsuutina.com.
- Aug. 20 – 21, noon – 6:00 p.m. Siksikaitsitapi Powwow at Whoop-up Days in Lethbridge. For more information, click here.
- August 23 – 24, 2025 Indian Relay Race at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. 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 would like to submit material, please email Brad Sewall.