www.piikanitks.org

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
PIIKANI TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY
Box 3311 Brocket, Alberta, T0K0H0 Ph (403) 965-2985 Fax (403) 965-2987
OKI PIIKANI AND SOUTHERN ALBERTA!
January was a cold and windy month on the Piikani Nation, but there was a lot going on! The various Piikani agencies
have been hosting many initiatives available for direct community participation that have taken place in the
community of Brocket. When we are able PTKS attends these functions to provide support to our community
members and caregivers. PTKS was honoured to be part of the Napi Pow Wow committee this year and by all
accounts was a great community success! The event hosted competitors and spectators alike from all over the
region and into the United States. Thank you Napi Friendship Society for returning this event to our community.
Looking ahead to February PTKS is getting consistent inquiries regarding our programming and services we offer
the community. For both events and learning opportunities please consult our website for more ideas as to how we
can assist your learning regarding local and North American Indigenous issues.
PTKS is pleased to announce a communication partnership Piikani Resource Development Ltd to deliver the new
Piikani Nation News! We will still offer a monthly PTKS Newsletter showcasing the awesome things we do, but will
reduced our content that will be showcased in the new publication. We will provide a link to the new publication
within the next short while.
In January, PTKS took part in community collaborations with the Empower Our People community committee, St.
Mikes School, Peigan Board of Education, Piikani Child and Family Services, Aakom Kiiyii Health Services, the
Lethbridge Public Library, Piikani Nation Chief and Council Community Meeting and the Learning Center at the
University of Lethbridge.
Until Next Time – Happy Valentine’s Day!
PTKS
In this issue:
Project of Heart Pg 2
A PTKS January Review Pg 3
Wintercount Corner Pg 3
Blackfoot Word of the Month Pg 3
Book Review Pg 4
PTKS In Southern AB Schools Pg 4
Events Pg 5
Links Pg 5
Community Corner Pg 5
Manager:
Ira Provost
Programs
Coordinator:
Jaron Weasel Bear
www.piikanitks.org

PTKS Newsletter February 2017
PROJECT OF HEART
A PROJECT OF RECONCILIATION BY STAVELY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Many organizations nationally, regionally and locally are beginning to address the Calls to Action put
forth by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Livingstone Range School Division
School Stavely Elementary launched the “Project of Heart” which is an activity commemorating the lives
of thousands of Indigenous children who died, went missing or were harmed during their time in
residential schools.
The inspiration for this event took place when grade 5/6 teacher Julaine Guitton wore an orange shirt
to school for Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2017 in recognition of the residential school legacy.
Grade 5/6 students were eager to know more about the history of the schools. The students in that class
had many really thoughtful questions, and approached the subject with such respect, heart, and an
honest desire to learn; that their teacher felt compelled to provide opportunities for them to follow their
questions. Their school reached out to their FNMI resource person Georgina Henderson, who
immediately connected them with resource people from the Piikani Nation. Following the launch the
class will now have an ongoing relationship with the Piikani Nation resources and resource people to
assist in their learning about the Piikani Nation and other issues important to First Nations people in
Canada.
I sincerely believe that learning exchanges such as this help us all create some lasting foundations for
positive relationship between our communities in the region now and into our collective future. Well
done Stavely Elementary! Highlights of the launch ceremony was a speech by Piikani community Elder
Eric Crow Shoe and Stavely Elementary student speeches sharing what they have learned so far!! For
more information you can contact their school district website at www.lrsd.ab.ca
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PTKS Newsletter February 2017
A PTKS
JANUARY REVIEW
Napi
Pow Wow
The winter count was a way for the
Blackfoot to keep record of the past
years’ events recorded on a buffalo hide.
These visual accounts provide a rich
source of information that connects the
Blackfoot to our past. Every newsletter
we will showcase an entry taken from
the “Winter Count:
A History of the Blackfoot
People” (1979).
“1801 – When we took the stars and
strips from the River Indians" Flags were
regarded as having power as war medicines so it was
considered a very important act when capturing a flag from
an enemy. “…it was significant that an American Flag should
be captured by the Peigans four years before the Lewis and
Clark expedition came west…” (p. 33)
Piikani Chief
and Council
Meeting
Blackfoot is a complex and multifaceted
language that is based in oral tradition.
PTKS will share common words or
phrases that readers could use at home
or around the office in conversation.
English: I love you (note: stative)
Blackfoot: kitsiikakomimmo
Sounds Like: ki tsi e ga kom e moe
Any suggestions for future Blackfoot words please
e-mail us your comments!
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PTKS Newsletter February 2017
Book Review
Enjoy a book by First Nations Authors
The Peigan: A Nation in
Transition
Publisher: Plains Pub
Author: Bernadette Pard
Published: 1985
The book entitled “The Peigan: A Nation in
transition” was released in the province of Alberta in
the mid-1980s. It was featured, along with a teacher’s
guide, in social studies classrooms for a short number
of years. The book details a great overview of the
Piikani Blackfoot culture by giving students an
elementary understanding of Blackfoot heritage,
social and family structures, and fundamental beliefs
as a nation transitioning into the future with an acute
respect for the past.
Although long out of print, PTKS highly
recommends The Peigan: A Nation in Transition as
a highly underrated resource for today’s classroom.
As we have mentioned with other recommended
PTKS Newsletter books the contents of these covers
do not age. Copies can now be ordered through
amazon and similar distributors.
Enjoy The Peigan: A Nation in Transition
as a great look into our past
CHECK THIS BOOK OUT!!!!
PTKS IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA SCHOOLS
In January PTKS delivered programs in several Alberta Schools. This month we were welcomed into
Canyon School Elementary and Stavely School. PTKS programming introduced these elementary schools
to Piikani culture and heritage.
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PTKS Newsletter February 2017
www.piikanitks.org
First Nations Public Library Week is
February 13 – 18, 2017
Since 2000, First Nation Public Libraries in Ontario have used
one week every February to raise awareness of their resources,
services, programs and activities. We thought we would share
the spirit of this initiative here at Lethbridge Public Library. We
have been working hard on increasing our resources and
programming to better serve the Aboriginal population living in
the City of Lethbridge and we’d like to give the community a
sneak peak of our expanding collection. We always welcome
suggestions for any materials you would like to see added to our
shelves!
Events
February 14 - Women's Wellness Health
Information Session - Host: Aakom Kiyii
Health Services; Location: Piikani
Crowlodge Multipurpose Building; Time:
10:15 - 4:15; Presentations, Door Prizes,
Continental Breakfast and Lunch
provided; Transport avail: 403-965-3809
Great Links
This month we feature a great website
showcasing current Indigenous affairs
and issues: CBC Radio’s Program
Unreserved with host Rosanna
Deerchild.
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved
Community Spotlight
PIIKANI EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
As a human service agency Piikani Employment Services is
committed to enhancing marketable skills that allows entry
into the labour market. This will be accomplished by
purchasing skill development programs offering individual
or groups as well as offering services that encourage
permanent employment.
Our programming is designed for individuals who require
training to secure employment. Applicants approved for
funding may be eligible to receive
financial assistance for tuition,
fees, books and monthly living
allowance. Funding is based on
program criteria and eligibility.
Call our offices for more info
403-965-2002
PIIKANI TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY
Box 3311 Brocket, Alberta, T0K0H0 Ph (403) 965-2985 Fax (403) 965-2987