"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. " — Chief Seattle (Suquamish)
Around the District
Indigenous Moment
Some clubs have chosen to highlight Indigenous Moments as part of their meeting agendas, either augmenting or replacing their Land Acknowledgement. We are encouraging clubs to share their moments with the rest of the district. We can all learn from them, and perhaps we could use them for our own reconciliation activities.
Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park – Bill Skinner
First Nations governance in Canada often involves two distinct systems: elected band councils and hereditary chiefs. Elected councils are a system enacted under the Indian Act in 1876. This policy set out to eradicate the concept of hereditary chiefs, which Westernized democracy was unfamiliar with. Hereditary chiefs can hold many different positions and have varying powers within a community, including leadership and authority over territory and land. Each Indigenous community has its own decision-making processes regarding the traditional leadership of the community, many following a matriarchal line. These systems sometimes clash, especially in decisions involving land use or resource development.
District Conference
The District Indigenous Relations Committee (DIRC) hosted a table and volunteers at the House of Friendship at the recent District Conference. Lots of good conversations, sharing experiences, and getting more people to add to our newsletter mailing list. The door prize was won by Stan Christmas, Rotary Club of Calgary Heritage Park.
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DIRC Members – Holy Linton, Anne Dale, Keith Wellon |
Okotoks Powwow
Members of the Rotary Club of Okotoks, Rotary Youth Exchange students and DIRC members joined together to raise the DIRC teepee at the Okotoks Powwow. Elder Bruce Starlight, amongst other elders, led the ceremony to bless and open the Teepee Campsite for the community.
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Welcome ceremony | The Crew |
Tsuut’ina knowledge keeper Bruce Starlight Jr. taught our audience about the history of the teepee, variations for erecting teepees (by tribe) and then demonstrated how to properly set up a teepee Blackfoot style.
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Legs of the buffalo | Hide of the buffalo |
Each teepee at the campout has people staying in it over the weekend. Our teepee will sleep three youth exchange students and a counsellor each night.
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The crew at work | The Teepee |
If you would like the DIRC teepee erected at your next event, contact Cam Stewart at cam.stewart@hotmail.com.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Indigenous Gathering Place – The Gathering at Moh’kinsstis – Sponsorships available
For generations, Indigenous Peoples have gathered in Moh’kinsstis. Today, the Indigenous Gathering Place Society (IGPS) is working to bring that vision to life in a permanent, purpose-built space rooted in culture, ceremony, and community. Guided by Elders and the community, IGPS is creating a place where Indigenous voices, knowledge, and presence are visible and celebrated.
On June 21, ContainR Park and the Alexandra Centre will come alive as The Gathering at Moh’kinsstis brings the community together for a one-day celebration of Indigenous culture. See the attached poster for event details.
Sponsorship options are available (see attached poster). Your support helps:
- Uplift Indigenous artists, makers, and knowledge keepers
- Create free, accessible cultural experiences for the community
- Contribute to National Indigenous Peoples Day in a meaningful and community-led way
- Advance a long-term vision rooted in reconciliation and Indigenous leadership
A couple of clubs are planning to support the event. If your club is interested in adding to Rotary's sponsorship of this event, please contact PDG Dan Doherty, a Board Member of IGPS, at via email or by phone at 403-519-5796.
Siksika Nation Fair 2026
The Siksika Nation is hosting its annual fair on June 26-28. For details about the powwow, hand games, Indigenous arts & crafts, click here. The Rotary Club of Calgary East is supporting this event. If you would like more information about sponsoring this event, contact the fair at SNFair@siksikanation.com.
Volunteer Opportunity
Stardale Women’s Group
We are reaching out to share a volunteer opportunity that was brought forward to DIRC, supporting the Stardale Women's Group
Diana Frost (former Rotarian and member of DIRC) has been working with the group, which supports Indigenous girls through programming focused on suicide prevention and the challenges they face. They are currently seeking 2–3 volunteers to assist with their biweekly gatherings.
What’s involved:
• Helping with setup and teardown
• Supporting the gathering (meeting and engaging with the girls)
• Approximately 3 hours per session
The next session is April 28 (evening), with additional dates planned for the coming months. This is a meaningful opportunity to connect directly with Indigenous youth, support important work in the community, and learn more about the issues they are navigating.
If you are available to help, please email Diana Frost.
Calendar of Events
- June 4, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – The Asokewin Friendship Centre Day of Friendship hosted by the Asokewin Friendship Centre Society, 52 Street, Rocky Mountain House, AB. For details, click here.
- June 6, 1:00 p.m. - Sun Jun 7, 6:00 p.m. - 4th Annual Lead by Example Powwow at the Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park (Site of the signing of Treaty No.7) on the Siksika reserve. For more details, click here.
- June 13, 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. – The inaugural First Nations Rodeo & Relay hosted by the Calgary Stampede, showcasing heart‑pounding rodeo action and lightning-fast relay races. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
- June 21, 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. - The 1st Annual Niitsitapi Day 2026 hosted by Piikani Child and Family Services at the Crowlodge Park, 10 Avenue, Brocket, AB. For details, click here.
- June 21 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. - The National Indigenous Family Day & Powwow hosted by the Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary at the Elbow River Camp. For more information, click here.
- June 21 – ContainR Park and the Alexandra Centre will come alive as The Gathering at Moh’kinsstis brings the community together for a one-day celebration of Indigenous culture. Opening Ceremony - 10 a.m. – ContainR Park; Cultural Showcase 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Indigenous Artisan Market – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Alexandera Centre Dance Hall; Evening Music Showcase – 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – ContainR Park. For details, click here.
- June 21, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. - Tsuut'ina Traditions: An Evening of Culture & Community, including a 3-course meal and cultural performances hosted by the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino. For tickets, click here.
- June 26-28 - Siksika Nation Fair 2026. Powwow, hand games, indigenous Arts & Culture. For details, click here.
- July 8, 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. - 4th Annual Lead by Example Powwow + Princess Pageant at the John Peake Memorial Park, Chestermere Station Way, Chestermere, AB. For more information, click here.
- July 17 – 19 – Kainai Powwow and Celebration at the Red Crow Park, Cardston County, AB. Multiple grand entries, multiple events! For details, click here.
- July 22 – 26 – Save the date - Tsuut’ina Nation Annual Celebrations 2026 – Powwow, handgames, slo-pitch, rodeo, golf. For more information, contact Wendy Two-Guns at wendy.twoguns@tsuutina.com.
DIRC Social Media
This newsletter provides a snapshot of what is going on in the district. If you are interested in staying current with ongoing Indigenous Relations activities, please follow DIRC on one of our social media platforms. Please use one of the following QR Codes to connect with your preferred social media.
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The DIRC Website
DIRC has a website to share resources and examples of reconciliation work. 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 if you have material you would like to submit, please email Brad Sewall.