March 15, 2019

Five things to see and do at Indigenous Awareness Week 2019

Indigenous Students’ Council presents over 20 events to celebrate Indigeneity, March 18-22

Executives from the Indigenous Students’ Council have been busy creating an awareness week jam-packe

Next week, UCalgary’s Indigenous Students’ Council (ISC) presents Indigenous Awareness Week (March 18 to 22) with more than 20 events and activities that promote listening, collaboration, and celebration of Indigeneity both on and off campus.

Explore the full schedule of events, and take some time to learn more about Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, connecting and being. Some highlights include:

Opening ceremony
March 18, 10 to 11 a.m.
South Courtyard, MacEwan Student Centre

Featuring traditional hand drumming and ceremonial dancing presented by members of the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations. A celebratory lunch and slideshow to follow at the Native Centre.

Film festival
Throughout the week, see narrative and documentary films made by some of the best talent in Treaty 7, including: The Healing (Dir. Tito Gomez), Elder in the Making (Dir. Chris Hsiung and Cowboy Smithx), Treaty 7 Film Collective and Napi Film Collective showcase and Noirfoot Narrative Labs movie premiere. See the schedule for times and locations.

Jingle dancers Amelia Crowshoe, left, and Savanna Sparvier at the opening ceremony for Indigenous Awareness Week 2018.

Jingle dancers Amelia Crowshoe, left, and Savanna Sparvier at the opening ceremony in 2018.

Mariah Wilson, courtesy of The Gauntlet

Indigenous entrepreneurship panel
March 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Scurfield Hall 473

Hear from (and network with) entrepreneurs Riel Houle, CEO of Pale Horse Tipi Camp; Shauna Bellerose, CEO of the Power of Choice Program; and Haskayne student Richard Sparvier, CEO of Drum Beat Productions. Moderated by Ch'nook Scholar, Mackenzie Beerbaum.

Indigenous students’ arts market pop-up
March 22, 1 to 3 p.m.
Arts Lounge (Social Sciences 103)

Focusing on showcasing Indigenous student artisans, browse the cultural manifestations of truth and decolonization.

Wrap-up party
March 22, 7 to 11 p.m.
The Den

Celebrate contemporary Indigenous culture and build community to wrap up the week, with DJs BLKFT, DJ Sonidef, and Painted Horse, as well as DJ Kookum from the Lower Mainland. All are welcome! Ticket proceeds go to supporting Indigenous Students’ Council initiatives.

Indigenous Awareness Week 2019 is supported by UCalgary Students Union, ii’ taa’poh’to’p, UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy, Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel and the Indian Resource Council.