Turtle Talk
By: Candida Shepherd
“Welcome! We stand here in Sherwood Park, AB on Treaty 6 Territory. I am grateful for the opportunity acknowledging that we are on traditional and ancestral territories of the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries. Home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta.”
We are all Treaty People
January 2023
Aspinoyê - ᐊᐢᐱᓄᔦ
Our Urban Indigenous Community was very busy this season. Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples is finally open and fully functioning with a brand new kitchen... and did we use it!
Christmas Eve midnight Mass was a hit - Indigenous Style with beautiful drumming, smudging and a message of family.
Christmas Day, we served over 300 people within our community with a full turkey dinner.
New Years day with a message of renewal and gratitude.
Ribbon Shirt Day
January 4, 2023 - marks Canada’s first National Ribbon Skirt Day.
It was inspired by Isabella Kulak, a member of the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan who wore a ribbon skirt to her rural Saskatchewan school in December 2020, when she was 10 years old. She wore the colourful garment, donned by Indigenous women at cultural events, as part of a formal day — but her family said at the time that a staff member told her the outfit wasn't considered formal enough.
The hope is for this day to become a day to wear something that shows pride of who you are whether or not that is a ribbon skirt.
Hiy hiy!!
Making Duck Boots!
Michif Cultural Connections in St Albert is offering a duck boot course taught by Elder Joyce Beaver.
Dates are Jan 6th, 7th, 8th, 21st and 22nd.
This is a 2 weekend course and we recommend those registered to be present on all dates provided. Aside from Jan 6th which will run from 6 to 9pm. Classes run from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Max registration is 10 participants.
Cost to participate is $250.00 and this one time fee covers all the materials, supplies and teachings/instructions from Elder Joyce Beaver. Beading is also taught during the course.
For more Info: Check out Michif Cultural Connections Facebook link...
Truth and Reconciliation in ACTION
Now that we have our church and community centre up and running after recovering from a devastating fire... we have soooo much that we want to do.
In this new year, one of our goals is to provide cultural teachings to all who are interested. They are free - Call our office to register.
All activities will be in person at Scared Heart Church of the First Peoples.
10821-96 Street, Phone # 780 422-3052
Check out January's teachings line up...
Beading
• The Second Beading workshop will be on Saturday January 14, 2023, from 9 am to 3 pm.
-- For this beading workshop, we are almost full. If you would like to join for the third beading workshop held in February, please call the office and register your names.
-- You can also call Suzanne Marie at her cell 780-919-4022.
Cree Language
• We are starting Cree language learning in January 2023. Elder Fernie Marty, Sunny Dumont and Andre L’Hirondelle will be the teachers.
-- First lesson will begin on Wednesday January 11th at 6 pm at St. Kateri Hall. Please call the office and register your names.
All are welcome.
Cultural Teachings
• There will be a series of Indigenous cultural teachings starting from January 2023. The first Indigenous cultural teaching will be on Tuesday January 24th, 2023, starting at 6 pm at the Kateri Hall.
-- Led by Candida Shepherd. This first teaching will be on Land Acknowledgements – Why do we do them? What is the controversy?
All are welcome.
Thinking about your future... feeding an interest...
Check here regularly for events, activities and supports.
Round Dance
Saturday, February 4th 2023
Pipe Ceremony, Feast and Dance
2pm - 10"30PM
Alberta Aviation Museum Event Hall
Hosted by the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Indigenous Market (Red Deer)
Red Deer Native Friendship Society Youth Group
9am - 1pm
Open to all peoples. Come.
Tufted Necklace Pendant - Craft
Tufting for Beginners
Online with Zoom
Fee of $75 includes supplies that will be shipped to you.
Medicines
Scholarships, scholarships, scholarships!!
Metis Nation of Alberta
Hiy Hiy - Thank you for your time.
Email: candida.shepherd@eips.ca
Website: instagram.com/cmsheph
Location: Bev Facey Community High School, Colwill Boulevard, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 467-0044
Twitter: @candidasheph