"Relationships move at the speed of trust. Patience is important." — Casey Eagle Speaker, Blackfoot Elder from the Kainai nation.
Around the District
Rotary Club of Calgary Chinook – Indigenous Moment - Keith Wellon, DIRC member and President Elect
Some clubs have chosen to highlight Indigenous Moments as part of their meeting agendas, either augmenting or replacing their Land Acknowledgement. I think it would be great if clubs would 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. I am sharing the last Indigenous Moment from our club. Please feel free to use this in your clubs as well.
The Indian Act: A history of oppression and resistance
I attended a talk on the Indian Act at the Confluence. It’s the 150th anniversary of the Indian Act, which unfortunately and tragically represents a history of oppression and resistance.
The Indian Act was developed over time through separate pieces of colonial legislation regarding Aboriginal peoples across Canada, such as the Gradual Civilization Act of 1857. In 1876, these acts were consolidated as the Indian Act.
Numerous quotes make it clear that the native peoples of Canada were considered savages who needed to be civilized. A quote from our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, “The great aim of our legislation has been to do away with the tribal system and assimilate the Indian people in all respects with the other inhabitants of the Dominion as speedily as they are fit to change.”
A partial list of the act’s legacy:
- A ban on customs and cultural ceremonies on and off reserves lasted for 75 years.
- They could not leave the reserve without permission.
- They could not wear ceremonial clothing off the reserve.
- Native women marrying a non-native lost their status, while the opposite did not.
- Allowed the establishment of the residential school system.
- Amended in 1921 to outlaw the hiring of lawyers by Indians attempting to assert their treaty rights.
Recent years have seen positive changes, but it still remains a troublesome piece of legislation.
If you have any questions, please contact Keith Wellon at kwellon@shaw.ca.
Rotary Club of Raymond – Blood Reserve Interact Club Provide Meals to Homeless - Steve Leavitt, PDG
Towards the end of March, the Interact club from the middle school on the Blood Reserve held a service project. The students from grades 6, 7 and 8 who are members of the service club peeled and cut vegetables and then cooked meat and combined it all into two huge pots to make a traditional stew. They then made a number of trays of bannock and cooked it. It took all morning to prepare the food.
About 20 students and some staff members travelled by bus about 15 miles to the homeless shelter in Moses Lake, next to the town of Cardston, where they served and ate with the homeless community.
There was some great discussion and visiting with all who were there. The staff and those who ate were all very grateful and full of admiration for the students who brought them a delicious hot lunch. There was enough food left over for their dinner.
This is the 3rd service project this year, as they had a day of kindness in November and prepared Christmas hampers for those in need at Christmas time. In May, the Interact club will plant trees for families from the school who have lost loved ones this year. With the participation of the students over this year, we have had almost 30% of the school or 70 students, involved with the Interact Club.
Rotary Club of Stampede Park – HIP Fundraiser – Walk with the Earth - Cancelled - Pat Neuman
The Rotary Club of Stampede Park (RCCSP), in partnership with HIP Y2Y (Honouring Indigenous Peoples, Youth to Youth) and local youth like Bishop Carroll High School Student Lily Beaton, presented “Walk with the Earth”, a reconnection to the earth, one another and truth and reconciliation action. This fundraising event was to directly support youth attending the annual HIP Y2Y forum, which takes 50 youth (25 indigenous, 25 non-indigenous) from across Canada for a week.
In preparation for the event, RCCSP arranged to have the DIRC teepee raised at the SEEDS Connection walk site to increase awareness and because an Elder was there speaking. We decided to raise the teepee on Tuesday, as Seeds Connection was there all week, so we decided to pitch it on Tuesday. It provided good awareness as several clubs visited during the week.
Unfortunately, the Walk with the Earth event was cancelled because of the weather. Such a big disappointment, as we had quite a few additional items we added to the event. We had donated coffee/donuts, a live 4-piece band, and we had a video set up to watch the walk in Toronto and Wpg, so our walkers could see them starting out. I? guess it was just too sketchy to plan a walk in April!! We’re not sure if we will postpone it.
We now have a gorgeous oar/ paddle that has been painted with an eagle. No concrete plans as to what we will do with it. We were going to have all participants sign it and gift it to THE SITE as they could display it to see both sides. Two months of planning and many meetings for naught!!
DIRC Social Media
This newsletter provides a snapshot of what is going on in the district. If you are interested in being more current with the 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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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 dohertyd@telus.net or by phone at 403-519-5796.
Siksika Nation Fair 2026
The Siksika Nation is hosting their 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 on how they are sponsoring this event, contact DIRC member Holy Linton at holylinton.rotary@gmail.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 (who was a Rotarian and a 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 looking for 2–3 volunteers to assist with their bi-weekly 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 reach out directly to Diana at diana@colouringitforward.com.
Calendar of Events
- May 2, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – MMIWG2S Awareness Event at Inspire (Multi-Purpose Room J). Presented by Circle Connections for Reconciliation in Airdrie. For more info, click here.
- May 8, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - 3rd Annual Traditional Red Dress Powwow hosted by the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Calgary at the Big Four Roadhouse on the Calgary Stampede grounds. For details, click here.
- May 16, 4:00 p.m. - May 17, 6:00 p.m. - The 2nd Annual Aapipiitaa Powwow at the Crowlodge Park, 10 Ave, Brocket, AB sponsored by White Eagle Wellness. For details and to confirm the location, click here.
- May 23, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - The 4th Annual All My Relations Healing Powwow at the Genesis Centre, Falconridge Boulevard Northeast, Calgary, sponsored by Closer to Home Community Resources. For information, click here.
- May 29 – 31 – The Town of Okotoks are excited to be gearing up for the fourth annual All-Indigenous Artisan Market - happening from at the Viking Rentals Centre Events Hall! We’re inviting Indigenous artists, makers and creators to join us as vendors for this vibrant celebration of culture and craft. Are you interested in becoming a vendor? Visit Okotoks.ca/Market for vendor details and apply today!
- May 29 – 31 – Town of Okotoks Powwow and Tipi Camp! Together, these events reflect the Town’s commitment to advancing Truth and Reconciliation and creating opportunities to celebrate Indigenous culture, identity, and art. For more information or to register for the camp, click here.
- Jun 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 21 - The Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary BBQ at the Elbow River Camp sponsored by the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown. Stay tuned for details.
- 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.
- June 26-28 - Siksika Nation Fair 2026. Powwow, hand games, indigenous Arts & Culture. For details, click here.
Social Media
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.