10Th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT

2009 2019

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT

INTERGENERATIONAL WISDOM Iiyika’kimaat Through Connections CARRIAGE HOUSE INN MACLEOD TRAIL SOUTH, CALGARY, AB Welcome

Oki, Tansi, and Hello,

I would like to welcome you to the Over the course of the next two 10th annual Connect Event, hosted days, you will have the opportunity by United Way of Calgary and Area’s to interact and learn from a number Natoo’si Indigenous Healing and of inspiring speakers, including Well-being Initiative. Elders, cultural advisors, knowledge keepers, and academics. They As we gather together over the will share their knowledge and next few days, it is important to teachings through storytelling and recognize that this land, adjacent group activities that will provide to where the Bow River meets the you with a better understanding Elbow River, is called “Mohkinstsis” of the strengths and resiliency of in the traditional Blackfoot name. It Indigenous nations. The theme of is also called the city of Calgary. This this year’s event is “Intergenerational is traditional land of the Blackfoot Wisdom – Iiyika’kimaat (try hard) Confederacy, as well as Treaty 7 through connections.” Territory which includes Kainai, Siksika, Piikani, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney I would like to thank our sponsors, Nakoda nations. Many Métis and Alberta Health Services, the Inuit people have also made their Calgary Foundation, the Aboriginal homes here in Calgary. Friendship Centre of Calgary, Fluor, It is hard to believe that it has and the YMCA whose generosity already been 10 years since the made this event possible. To all the first Connect Event! What a great committee members who selflessly learning journey we have been on donated their time and energy to “Over the past ten years together towards well-being and this event—thank you. Without reconciliation. The past ten years your dedication the last ten years the Connect Event has of learning and knowledge sharing would not have been possible. guided Calgary’s learning amongst the urban Indigenous I look forward to watching how the community has helped inform Connect Event will continue to grow around urban Indigenous our direction, and the direction over the next 10 years! of the social sector. Through what populations and become a Sincerely, we have learned at past Connect venue for reconciliation. We Events, we have come to a place of look forward to the continued understanding, building stronger relationships with our Elders, and accomplishments ahead.” beginning to honor the importance – Bruce McFarlane, of ethical space. We are working Board Liaison to United Way’s more intentionally to honour both Karen Young Indigenous Advisory Committee the Indigenous and Western ways of President and CEO knowing, in parallel with each other. United Way of Calgary and Area

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 2 Event Schedule THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

7:00 AM Pipe Ceremony Elders Kelly and Daphne Good Eagle 8:00 AM REGISTRATION and BREAKFAST

9:00 AM Words to Creator, Smudge, and Land Acknowledgement Welcome and Housekeeping Emcees: Nicole Eshkakogan and Evans Yellow Old Woman Opening Remarks and Context Beth Gignac, COO of United Way of Calgary and Area Emcees: Nicole Eshkakogan and Evans Yellow Old Woman

9:45 AM KEYNOTE: “The United Way of Multicultural Wisdom: From Intergenerational Trauma to Intergenerational Resiliency” Dr. Marie Wilson 10:45 AM BREAK

11:0 0 AM KEYNOTE: “Being + Doing: Authentic Change Making for Progress” Bina M. Patel

12:00 PM Step Dance Russ Baker

12:30 PM LUNCH United Way Video on Intergenerational Trauma 1:30 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Justice LGBTQ2S+ Honouring our Women Languages Lana Garcelon and Suitaakii Black and Steve Kootenay-Jobin and Steven Crowchild and Amelia Crowshoe Amber Twoyoungmen Aiyana Leonard La Couvée Sandis Twoyoungmen

2:30 PM BREAK

2:45 PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18

8:00 AM BREAKFAST

9:00 AM Words to Creator and Smudge Summary of Previous Day / Context / Connect Story Emcees: Nicole Eshkakogan and Evans Yellow Old Woman; Joanne Pinnow Honoring Ceremony – United Way Song; Joanne Pinnow

9:40AM KEYNOTE: Elders and Youth Couch Conversation Elder Patrick Diagneault, Elder Edmee Comstock, Youth Ethan Twoyoungmen, Youth Bryanna R. Brown

10:30 AM BREAK

10:45 AM Youth Film – “Medicine for the People” presented by Johnny Caisse

11:15 AM Cultural First Aid and Sharing Circles Elder Reg and Rose Crowshoe 12:30 PM LUNCH and NETWORKING

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 3 CULTURAL TECHNICIANS

Elder Patrick Diagneault Elders Patrick Diagneault was born and raised in a small northern community of Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan. He is married with three beautiful children, and has two grandchildren. In the earlier part of his life, he was taken from his home life and introduced to residential school, and here he had to learn a different way of life.

Patrick has worked in the health field for most of his life, and is ELDERS KELLY AND DAPHNE GOOD EAGLE always looking to help people move forward. Through the Elder Kelly Good Eagle teachings he received from Elder Daphne Good Eagle his grandfather and father, he Kelly Good Eagle Sr. grew up on the Daphne Good Eagle grew up on works with families and other Siksika and Blackfeet reservations. the Siksika reservation. She has people today. He has extensive Kelly attended school in East been married to her husband Kelly knowledge of his Cree cultural Rochester, New York, where he Good Eagle for 44 years. Daphne and spiritual teachings. graduated in 1973. In 1975, he moved and Kelly have three children, eight to Calgary. Kelly has been married to grandchildren, and two great- Patrick is a member of the Circle his wife, Daphne, for 44 years. They grandchildren. She considers of Aboriginal, International have three children, two girls, Michelle her loving family her greatest Association of Public Participation, and Joanne, and one son Mervin accomplishment, and helping and the Project Management (deceased), eight grandchildren, many people through her prayers Institute, and strongly supported on and two great grandchildren. Kelly is and knowledge of the traditional behalf of TransAlta, the Canadian proud of his family, who honour their way of life. Council for Aboriginal Business. cultural ways and teachings. Daphne is an active member For over 25 years Kelly has been a of the Sundance on the Siksika member of the Horn Society and reservation. She has been a Horn is now an Elder for the society on society member for over 20 years the Siksika Reserve. He has been for the Siksika tribe. She is an Elder employed with Alberta Health for Miskanawah and the Calgary Services since 2009, where he Elders Knowledge Keepers and currently holds the position of sits on the board of directors for Traditional Wellness Counsellor. Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum Kelly has been a Calgary Stampede in Banff. Daphne has been taking Teepee owner for nine years, and he part in the Calgary Stampede also sits on the Calgary Stampede for over 50 years. Today, she is a Indian Events Committee as a Vice- teepee owner, a role she inherited Chair. He is an Elder Advisor for the from her mother in 2010. Daphne Calgary Police Service, Knowledge enjoys travelling throughout Keepers, United Way, and Boys and Canada and United States to ELDER PATRICK DIAGNEAULT Girls Clubs of Calgary. Kelly is a Vice dance at powwows. Director on the Board of Directors at the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum in Banff.

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 4 CULTURAL TECHNICIANS

Elder Reg Crowshoe Elders Dr. Reg Crowshoe (Awakasina) is a well-known Piikani Blackfoot Elder, spiritualist, ceremonialist, and teacher and Former Chief of his Piikani Nation. Dr. Crowshoe has researched the Piikani Blackfoot language and the Blackfoot society practice to develop solutions for cross-cultural understanding. He has pioneered and initiated cross-cultural programs for many organizations and institutions across Western ELDER EDMEE COMSTOCK Canada. Dr. Crowshoe is also the founder of the Old Man River Cultural Society, and he Elder Edmee Comstock wrote the book Akak’stiman, A Edmee Comstock is the youngest belonging. She generously shares her cultural teachings, Michif Blackfoot Framework for Decision- of 17 children from one of the most Making and Mediation Processes, important historical families of the language and history through various educational outreach published by University of Calgary Red River Settlement. Her great Press in 2002. grandfather was John Bruce (Jean- programs for youth and families. Baptiste Bruce), the first president of Wearing her Métis sash with great pride, she is now a well-respected the Métis Provisional Government at elder and a beloved representative the Red River Colony. Louis Riel was of the Bruce clan of the Red River his secretary. Colony. In 2012, Edmee was the Edmee considers herself blessed recipient of the Queen Elizabeth to be raised in a traditional Métis Diamond Jubilee Medal for her family with a strong work ethic and work in the community. sense of community, spirituality, and

Elder Rose Crowshoe Rose Crowshoe is Piikani born and raised. She is a retired alumni student of the University of Lethbridge. She believes in her traditional teachings that ELDER REG CROWSHOE she acquired from her great grandmothers, grandmother, and mother. These teachings have helped to raise her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.

ELDER ROSE CROWSHOE

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 5 Knowledge Keepers

YOUTH HELPERS We would like to extend our gratitude to our youth helpers, identified as ‘Elders in the making,’ who will be helping us throughout the event. They will be connecting with Elders and other youth throughout the Connect Event. KEYNOTE Dr. Marie Wilson Marie Wilson, a Commissioner of the historic Truth and EMCCEE Reconciliation Commission of Nicole Eshkakogan Canada (2009-2015), has been Nicole Eshkakogan is an award-winning journalist, Anishnawbe/Blackfoot from trainer, federal and territorial Sagamok Anishnawbek First executive manager, high school Nation and the Piikani Nation. teacher in Africa, university Nicole is completing her PhD lecturer, and consultant. in Sociology at the University of Alberta focusing on Indigenous As a prominent public speaker Gender and Wellness. throughout Canada and internationally, she brings Nicole is the Scientific Director acknowledged expertise on the EMCCEE at the Awo Taan Healing Lodge successes and challenges of Evans Yellow Old Woman Society, where she is working advancing reconciliation. Evans Yellow Old Woman is from towards identifying successes, Siksika Nation. His Blackfoot gaps, connections, and Ms. Wilson holds honorary name is Apsipistoo, which future directions on culturally degrees from six Canadian means White Owl. He is part responsive trauma violence universities, and in additional to of the Blackfoot Confederacy informed care for families several professional awards, is and descends from the Runs affected by family violence. the recipient of the Order Away Buffalo Clan. He is a Two- of the Northwest Territories, Spirit man living and working the Order of Canada, and the in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). He is Meritorious Service Cross. She currently the Associate Director and her husband, Stephen of Indigenous Relations with Kakfwi, have three children and The Alex. He has a nine-year-old four grandchildren, her most daughter named Teshay. valuable achievements!

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 6 Knowledge Keepers

JUSTICE Amelia Crowshoe Amelia Crowshoe is a member of the Piikani Nation who resides in Calgary, Alberta. Amelia holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and culture and is currently a 3rd year law student at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Amelia’s professional work has primarily focused on First Nation data governance, community research, privacy, and data repatriation with First Nation communities. A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth KEYNOTE II Diamond Jubilee Medal, she Bina M Patel has travelled internationally Bina M. Patel has worked for sharing with many about her more than 20 years to advance Piikani culture and worldview. social good and justice. She Amelia is an active member of has led strategic initiatives to her cultural community and is help communities transform also a competitive jingle dress themselves through innovative, JUSTICE dancer. In 2012, Amelia was inclusive, and sustainable efforts Lana Garcelon crowned the Calgary Stampede in the areas of asset building, Lana Garcelon is Dënesųłiné Centennial First Nations Princess public health, civic engagement, from English River First and continues to volunteer and economic development. Nation, located in northern with the First Nations princess Saskatchewan on Treaty 10 program. She also volunteers as As Deputy Chief of Staff in territory. Her current role is the the president of the Indigenous City Hall in Chicago, Bina was Indigenous Liaison at Calgary Law Club at U of C. Through responsible for overseeing Legal Guidance. This role her law practise she hopes to a portfolio of programs and includes building relationships work with First Nations clients policies in the area of human with local agencies, Indigenous in the Province of Alberta to capital, human services, communities, and Indigenous build Indigenous legal principles public health, and community clients accessing justice. Lana that can develop alongside development. Bina was selected is passionate about Indigenous the Canadian common law. to participate with the PLACES cultures, rights, and justice. In fellowship (2012) through The 2017 she completed her law Funders’ Network, where she degree studying abroad in New engaged with community Zealand for three years. Since members and colleagues from returning to Canada, she is keen across the country to dive into to bring her experience to serve racial, social, and economic Indigenous people. Outside of justice issues. Much of her work, Lana is an avid volleyball professional work has focused on player involved with leagues in advancing racial equity through Calgary but favours weekend addressing structural racism. tournaments on-reserve.

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 7 Knowledge Keepers

LGBTQ2S+ Amber Twoyoungmen HONORING WOMEN Amber Twoyoungmen is a Aiyana Leonard La Couvée storyteller and a young leader. Aiyana Leonard La Couvée is She is one of the founding an Ojibwa Cree. She is a youth members of the Nakoda AV leader and public speaker who is Club, a volunteer-run production passionate about Indigenous issues. society that works to promote At the age of 15, Aiyana co-created storytelling through film on the the Footprints Project, an art and Nakoda reserves. She dreams social-awareness initiative featured of being the first female film at the annual Calgary Sisters in director from her Nation, and Spirit March. This initiative gained knows that if she achieves this, national attention as Aiyana and her LGBTQ2S+ she will be an inspiration to sister, Kaiya, collected more than Suitaakii Black other young women struggling 1,500 pairs of shoes, representing Suitaakii Black is a Two Spirit, to succeed. Amber is also a the number of missing and Indigenous Trans, and Indigiqueer musician, composing the scores murdered Indigenous women across advocate from Siksika Nation for her short films, and an artist. Canada. Aiyana recently spoke to currently living in Mohkintsis. In She is an avid volunteer, and in audiences at We Day – Calgary and 2017 she won the Shine award at high school sat on the Cochrane We Day – National in Ottawa, as the Southern Alberta Indigenous Youth Council, working on well as several youth conferences. Youth awards for her work within campaigns such as breast cancer She also conducts workshops for the LGBTQ2S+ community. She awareness, and hunger. Amber youth about issues that confront currently works at the Calgary is also an important member of Indigenous communities. Queer Arts Society doing diversity her family, and she takes pride Aiyana is the recipient of the training on gender and sexuality in her role as a caretaker and Southern Alberta Indigenous across the city, and also leads mentor to her young relations. Youth Award’s Vision Award and the Treaty 7 Film Collective that Her family and her culture are was nominated for the provincial supports LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, as very important to her, and they Youth of Distinction Award (YODA). well as immigrant and refugee are part of everything she does. She is currently a senior at Ernest artists in Treaty 7. Suitaakii will She loves to travel and is always Manning High School, where she be leading discussion topics excited for new adventures that enjoys learning about film and around LGBTQ2S+ history, bring her new perspectives of the broadcasting, photography, and allyship, and education. world, and the Nakoda people’s place within it. culinary arts.

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 8 Knowledge Keepers

HONORING WOMEN Steve Kootenay-Jobin Steve Kootenay-Jobin is Iyarhe Nakoda from Stoney Nation in Treaty 7 Territory. He has a Bachelor of Arts Sociology, Arts and Science Diploma and is currently enrolled in the Master LANGUAGES of Education program. He is the Sandis Twoyoungmen Indigenous Housing and Events Sandis Twoyoungmen is from Coordinator for the Iniskim the Iyarhe Nakoda Nation. Centre at Mount Royal University, LANGUAGES Language is a priority for Sandis where he helps Indigenous Steven Crowchild because it not only identifies students find campus housing, Steven Crowchild (Ninagha who he is, but the traditions organizes cultural events, and Naʔitsidi) is a Tsuut’ina Isgiya, and culture connected to that. supports Indigenous students father, and current Director of Growing up in Mini Thni (Morley, while they attend school. He the Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute, AB) the language was spoken also works with faculty and staff the language revitalization all around him on a daily basis; at the university on cultural program of the Tsuut’ina Nation. the people in the community training, ensuring that the school Steven has worked for the have made it important to is accessible and inclusive for Institute since 2012 in various remember who you are and all students. In addition to this capacities but has served as keep the language strong. work, Steve also serves on several Director since 2014. Under his Sandis believes language is committees at Mount Royal leadership, the program has special to Indigenous peoples University, and in the Calgary evolved and adjusted to serve because it carries them through community. These committees the need of language and culture ceremonies and prayer. are involved in diversity, human revitalization on the Tsuut’ina rights, murdered and missing Nation. Over the years, Steven Indigenous women, mental has been directly involved in the health awareness, and cultural development and piloting of awareness. In June 2019 Steve various initiatives and projects was awarded the Chief David such as app development, Crowchild Memorial Award. curriculum development, culture The award recognizes the camps, language nest, mentor- contributions of a person who apprentice initiative, animation, shows leadership in building language/culture film projects, relationships and engagement professional development between Indigenous and non- initiatives, recording projects, Indigenous communities. and so much more. 10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 9 Knowledge Keepers

Bryanna R. Brown Ethan Twoyoungmen Bryanna Brown is a Labrador Ethan Twoyoungmen, a student Land Protector. An Inuk woman at Mount Royal University, is from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, working towards his personal Johnny Rodger Caisse Newfoundland, she is currently goals of becoming an Indigenous Johnny is a cree Métis from working towards obtaining a role model for his community. Ile-a-la-cross in Northern Bachelor of Business Administration Ethan is a mentor for Canada Saskatchewan. He was raised degree through the Memorial Bridges, which supports with both Cree and Métis University. She is a volunteer live-in Indigenous youth moving off traditions. Johnny has been with RESET Calgary, an Indigenous reserves and into the city of Métis Jigging for over 20 years youth leader with Youth Indigenize Calgary, offering a mentor to and has spent countless hours the Senate, and an advocate. Some guide them in the right path. He performing and working on his of the issues Bryanna advocates is also part of the Stoney Nakoda craft. He continues to attend for include the national crisis of AV club, as a supporting member Cree sweat lodges to date, as he Missing and Murdered Indigenous for filming projects. was raised by a strong cultural Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited, family. Not only is he cultural, but global climate justice, persons One of Ethan’s favourite past he also loves education. Johnny living with disabilities, women’s times is music; he is a pianist, graduated from college in 2015, rights, the human rights of guitarist, and singer. Ethan and has a diploma in business Indigenous peoples, mental health, greatly values his culture, administration management. and against human trafficking, the people, and the traditions Johnny hopes to one day own his overrepresentation of incarcerated of the Nakoda people. own business. Indigenous youth, and racism.

Russ Baker Russ Baker is from Prince George, BC. His family is Carrier Lheidli Tenneh (Klet’Leh Tenn eh), Woodland and Plains Cree, and Irish. He currently works as the Program Manager, Mentorship and Systems Change, at Canada Bridges.

Russ has an educational background in Indigenous child and youth care counselling from Douglas College. For the past 21 years, he has worked with youth, families, and organizations throughout various Indigenous communities, both on and off reserve. Russ has travelled around the world for dance (one style which includes step dance) and rugby. During this time he has seen the importance of knowing one’s culture and teachings.

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 10 THANK YOU

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10 9TH ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT 10 10 9TH ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT 9TH ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT 9TH ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT Youth Representative Youth Representative Johnny Caisse Ethan Twoyoungmen

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10 9TH ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT In10 YEARS a Glance 2011

2013

“The Connect Event has become a quintessential aspect of community awareness and understanding of urban Indigenous histories and healing. We are proud of the accomplishments reached over the past ten years and look forward to the next ten.”

– Bruce McFarlane, Board Liaison to United Way’s Indigenous Advisory Committee

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 12 2015

2018

10th ANNUAL CONNECT EVENT | OCTOBER 17-18, 2019 13