Indigenous Awareness Week
Join us for Indigenous Awareness Week as we celebrate the rich cultural heritage, beliefs and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples everywhere.
A message from Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Dr. Leroy Little Bear
Oki, and welcome to Indigenous Awareness Week 2025.
We recognize this week as one of great importance at Iniskim (Sacred Buffalo Stone), University of Lethbridge as it focuses on bringing people together, facilitating cooperation, building relationships and celebrating the rich cultures and traditions of all Indigenous Peoples.
This year’s events will begin on Monday, March 17 at 11 a.m. with opening ceremony and blessing by Elder in Residence, Ninnaisipistoo (Owl Chief), Dr. Francis First Charger (LLD ’24). Both myself and our president, Ikkayiinnii (Fast Buffalo), Dr. Digvir Jayas, are pleased to provide remarks, along with ULSU president Maleeka Thomas and All My Relations president Foster Wright. In the spirit of bringing people together and building relationships, join us for a feast followed by a mini powwow and dance demonstration. After the grand entry, witness a traditional Blackfoot Naming Transfer Ceremony for the Dhillon School of Business.
Once again, departments from across the University are all hosting activities throughout the week and there are many events planned each day. I thank everyone for your support, especially Iikaisskini Indigenous Services, who bring this incredible week together. I urge everyone to take notice of the events around Indigenous Awareness Week and to find some time to engage with the activities and with one another.
ULethbridge is proud to celebrate significant milestones in Indigenous education as we continue to advance our commitment to Indigenization. As we launch our new strategic plan next week, we reaffirm that Indigenization is woven into the very fabric of our institution, shaping our vision for the future. In 2025, the Department of Indigenous Studies celebrates its 50th anniversary, recognizing five decades of community-engaged scholarship and research. Stay tuned for events in the fall to commemorate this historic anniversary.
Additionally, we are celebrating 40 years of Indigenous management education, a legacy that began in 1985 with the launch of Canada’s first university program dedicated to Indigenous economic development, governance and business management. From its early days as the Business Enterprises and Self-Governing Systems of Indian, Inuit, and Métis Peoples (BESS) program to its evolution into the Indigenous Governance and Business Management (IGBM) program in 2018, this initiative has empowered Indigenous leaders and shaped the future of business. A full day of celebration is scheduled for Friday, March 21, followed by the Dhillon School of Business Scholarship Dinner, honouring the Elders past, present and future.
Further highlighting our institution’s ongoing progress, we are proud of the work toward reconciliation being done and recognized through the recent Blackfoot naming of the Faculty of Fine Arts — Piiksinaasin (Manifesting Beauty), and the Faculty of Education — Iiniookaksini (Bison Wisdom).
Let us come together in celebration of our shared campus and the valuable relationships we have cultivated over the years. Read more about all the events taking place this week at go.uleth.ca/iaw. Additionally, 15 per cent of all sales of Iniskim merchandise at the ULethbridge Bookstore will be donated toward Indigenous Student Scholarships and Awards.
I look forward to seeing you on campus at some of the many events taking place this week.
Hand to heart,
Iikaisskini (Low Horn), Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04)
Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations
Schedule of events
Join Iniskim Indigenous Relations for the Opening Ceremony to kick off Iniskim Indigenous Awareness Week. Blessings will be provided by Elder-in-Residence Francis First Charger, Ninnaisipistoo (Owl Chief) along with addresses from President Digvir Jayas, Ikkayiinnii (Fast Buffalo), Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations Dr. Leroy Little Bear, Iikaisskini (Low Horn) ULSU President Makeeka Thomas and All My Relations President Foster Wright.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Science Commons Atrium (SA7008)
Stop by and drop in to the Agility Innovation Zone until 5 p.m. to make some buttons or stickers, paint a wooden animal shape or medicine wheel, or make a medicine pouch.
Agility Innovation Drop-In Zone (SA6304)
In many Indigenous cultures, it is custom to meet and visit over a meal. Please join Iikaisskini Indigenous Services for a meal to celebrate Iniskim Indigenous Awareness Week as we focus on bringing people together, facilitating cooperation, building relationships and celebrating the rich cultures and traditions of all Indigenous Peoples.
Science Commons Atrium (SA7008)
Join hosts Julius Delaney and Dakota Wadsworth who will guide us through a Pow Wow demonstration showcasing both male and female Grass, Fancy, Jingle and Chicken dancers. This program includes a Blackfoot Naming Transfer Ceremony for the Dhillon School of Business at 1 p.m., as well as a special Recognition and Ceremony at 2 p.m.
Science Commons Atrium (SA7008)
Tuesday, March 18
A Traditional Spiritual Leader from the Siksika Nation and spiritual advisor, Clarence was honoured by Mount Royal University with an Honorary B.A. in Sociology, and again in 2021 with an Honorary Doctorate of Law. He served for ten terms as a member of the Siksika Council and worked under many Siksika Chiefs. Clarence is a member of the Sacred Horns’ Society (Transfer of Sacred Bundle 2015) and the Brave Dog Society, both traditional Blackfoot Societies. He is a five-year veteran of International Peacekeeping (NATO & UN) in the 1960s. Upon his return, he became a police officer, serving 14 years as an RCMP Supernumerary Constable, and later as an Alberta Special Constable.
Stop by and drop in to the Agility Innovation Zone to make some buttons or stickers, paint a wooden animal shape or medicine wheel, or make a medicine pouch.
Agility Innovation Drop-In Zone (SA6304)
The All My Relations (Nikso’kowaiksi) Indigenous Students’ Association is proud to host Kwakiutl Elder, Gloria Roze who will be having a fashion show with West Coast style regalia, as well as storytelling. There may or may not be a spiritual being in attendance. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650)
Join the Faculty of Health Sciences for an Earring Beading Workshop. Space is limited to 30 students. All materials will be provided. Please email Sianna Cherweniuk at s.cherweniuk@uleth.ca to register for the event. Snacks and refreshment will be available for participants.
Library Project Classroom (L1050)
Come and drop-by for a light breakfast and learn more about the Sokkinakia'pi Collaborative Project!
UHall Atrium
Stop by and drop in to the Agility Innovation Zone to make some buttons or stickers, paint a wooden animal shape or medicine wheel, or make a medicine pouch.
Agility Innovation Drop-In Zone(SA6304)
Join Brittany Trembath-Deines and Elder Carl Jerome from the Lethbridge & Area Métis Association (LAMA) at Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650) to learn about Métis services and support at the University as well as see some beautiful Métis artifacts and enjoy some snacks together. Elder Carl is a Métis trapper and artist and both he and Brittany have a wealth of knowledge about Métis culture.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650)
Join the Faculty of Fine Arts for a public Art NOW Lecture Series talk with sessional instructor Zoë Laycock.
Zoë Grace-Anne Laycock is Anishinaabe Red River Métis, she was born and raised in Calgary AB. She is an interdisciplinary artist working with new media, sound, installation, video projection, as well as textiles, printmaking and Indigenous material practices. Zoë is an Interdimensional Broadcaster & Master of Fine Arts (2024). She holds a BFA in Visual Arts from Emily Carr University of Art + Design; and minor in Social Practice and Community Engagement.
University Recital Hall (W570)
Join the All My Relations Indigenous Students' Club for an Indigenous Artisan Market!
UHall Atrium
*Interested in becoming a vendor or showcasing your art? Email allmyrelations.is@uleth.ca by March 16.
In this activity hosted by Destination Exploration, participants will be lead through the process of drawing and animating a GIF using the application keynote. This GIF will be highlighting the role of the buffalo as a method of seed dispersal on the prairies depicting the importance of buffalo on the environment around them, while learning about the digital art skills required to make animated GIFs. Space is limited to 24 people.
Destination Exploration (SA7332A)
In this activity hosted by Destination Exploration, participants will be introduced to the 3D modelling software TinkerCAD where they will be guided through the process of modeling Tipi poles. The challenge will be to have the 4 poles lean on each other and stay up at different levels of gravity.
This activity is a fun exploration of the forces that act on Tipi’s and highlights the Ingenious Indigenous Engineers as they tackled the challenges of the region with the materials at hand. Participants will be able to manipulate the gravity, the material of the poles, as well as their angle and location to extend the amount of time their Tipi Poles are able to stand up against the force of gravity. Space is limited to 30 people.
Destination Exploration (SA7332B)
Come visit the Centre for Indigenous Arts Research & Technology (CIART) —a lab space dedicated to imagining and materializing creative Indigenous technological expression. Student projects will be on display, including quillwork, virtual environments and 3D scanning. To find us, follow the signs on the eighth floor of the University Centre for the Arts.
UCA Level 8, down the hall from the Printmaking Studio
Career Bridge will receive a Blackfoot name and host a Naming Ceremony followed by a feast. Receiving a Blackfoot name is a great honour that carries deep responsibility and meaning. Once the name is received, Career Bridge will uphold its meaning and continue to carry forward the spirit of Indigenization, decolonization, reconciliation and community-building in a way that reflects Niitsitapi and Indigenous values.
This ceremony is Career Bridge's commitment to honouring tradition and community, upholding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and ensuring Indigenous students, employers and community feel reflected in our spaces and programming.
Andy's Place (AH100)
Join Elder Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (Miiksika'am) from Siksika Nation for a blessing and presentation on "Blackfoot Ways of Being and Knowing". Bannock will also be provided. Register for this event on the events calendar in the MyExperience Transcript. Thank you to Indigenous Student Engagement Strategist of the Iniikokaan Centre, Keestin O’Dell for co-hosting this event.
Iniikokaan Centre, Gathering Room, Bow Valley College, South Campus, 2nd Floor
Please join the Office of Iniskim Indigenous Relations for the official unveiling of the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre’s new mural, "The Little Bear and Brother Jaguar": A dedication to Iikaisskini (Low Horn), Dr. Leroy Little Bear.
Artist Jesus Eduardo Gonzalez Lopez will speak to the significance of the mural and how it represents Indigenous Peoples and their cultural practices. Through vivid imagery, it celebrates and honours the heritage of the Indigenous people of Blackfoot territory in southern Alberta, Canada and the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico. The purpose is to create a dialogue between two cultural contexts, simultaneously reshaping the landscape aesthetically through everyday narratives.
We thank Jesus Eduardo Gonzalez Lopez for donating the mural to the University of Lethbridge.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650)
Join the Agility Innovation Zone to learn about the exciting programs the Indigenous Programming team has to offer. Shane McDougall will provide an overview of how Indigenous programming has evolved over the past year. Tracy Weasel Moccasin will give a presentation about Ribbon Skirts and their evolution through history to the modern day. Students and staff will show items made in the Innovation Zone (Ribbon Skirts, belts, hand Drums, mini moccasins, medicine pouches, etc.) and we will all march in a Solidarity Walk from the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre through UHall, and finish off in the Zone.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650)
Stop by and drop in to the Agility Innovation Zone to make some buttons or stickers, paint a wooden animal shape or medicine wheel, or make a medicine pouch.
Agility Innovation Drop-In Zone (SA6304)
The Agility Innovation Zone is happy to host a feast to celebrate their Indigenous Programming. Food will be available for the first 75 people.
Science Commons Atrium (SA7008)
Want to show off your bannock making skills? Want to learn how to make bannock? Want to taste bannock? Come to the Bannock and Frybread Bake-Off. See a demonstration of bannock making explained in Blackfoot by Debbie Many Bears.
Please email Tara Froehlich at tara.froehlich@uleth.ca to register your bannock/frybread entry for the tasting competition or for more information about the competition. You will need to include an ingredient list with your entry and bring your bannock/frybread to the Iikaisskini Gathering Centre by 1 p.m. on March 20.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650) and adjacent outside patio
Join Dr. Mike Bruised Head, Ninna Piiksii (Chief Bird), Iniskim Academic Elder and the University of Lethbridge's first PhD student to defend his doctoral dissertation in the Blackfoot language, for a presentation on "Terra Nullius: Doctrine of Discovery - What is the impact today on Indigenous People?".
Refreshments will be provided.
Science Commons (SA6008)
Join the Dhillon School of Business in celebrating 40 years of Indigenous Business Education as they highlight their alumni including keynote speaker Jennifer Campeau and a series of panel discussions featuring other alumni. Free to attend. Please register.
Click here for more details and to register.
ULSU Ballrooms
Join the All My Relations Indigenous Students' Club for an Indigenous Artisan Market, in collaboration with the Dhillon School of Business!
Students' Union Ballroom A
*Interested in becoming a vendor or showcasing your art? Email allmyrelations.is@uleth.ca by March 16.
Stop by and drop in to the Agility Innovation Zone to make some buttons or stickers, paint a wooden animal shape or medicine wheel, or make a medicine pouch.
Agility Innovation Drop-In Zone (SA6304)
Join alumna Marjie Crop Eared Wolf (BFA - Indigenous Art ‘09) for an Art NOW Series talk.
Marjie Crop Eared Wolf is a Káínai Secwépemc Multidisciplinary Artist as well as is an Indigenous writer, designer, and liaison. Crop Eared Wolf graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art in 2009 from the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. She also received a Kainai Studies Certificate from the Red Crow Community College in 2015. Crop Eared Wolf works with a variety of artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, print making, photography, and installation.
Her art practice is inspired by her Káínai and Secwépemc culture, Crop Eared Wolf counts herself among the many past and present Niitsitapi women who often work collectively and express Niitsitapi concepts and knowledges in their art.
University Recital Hall
Join Nolan Hundseth and Jackson Paquette as they offer a jigging workshop. Everyone is welcome.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650)
Join the University of Lethbridge's Dhillon School of Business as we celebrate the impact of past, present, and future Indigenous Elders as well as break down barriers and invest in the education of Indigenous students.
To learn more and purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/dhillon/scholarship-dinner
Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre
University of Lethbridge Art Gallery
The University of Lethbridge Art Gallery is excited to showcase Indigenous art from the University of Lethbridge Art collection throughout Indigenous Awareness Week.
These art pieces will be available for viewing in the Hess Gallery (W600) from March 17 to March 20.
University of Lethbridge Bookstore
The University of Lethbridge Bookstore is proud to sell the Iniskim merchandise line, where 15% of all sales will be donated to Indigenous student scholarships and awards!
Join us for two days of activities with authors Jessica Johns and Henry Heavyshield! Hosted by the Indigenous Writers Series, with thanks to our sponsors: University Library and the Departments of Indigenous Studies and English, Iikaisskini Indigenous Services, the Modern Languages Association, and SSHRC.
Wednesday, March 12
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Panel Discussion
Both authors will discuss their creative work and the future of Indigenous and Canadian literatures.
UHall Atrium
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1 – 1:30 p.m. | Welcoming Ceremony
Join us in a traditional ceremonial welcome by Elder Ninnaisipistoo (Owl Chief), Francis First Charger. There will be smudging at the Ceremony.
Iikaisskini Gathering Centre (W650)
Thursday, March 13
6 – 7:30 p.m. | Public Reading & Book Signing
Read Jessica Johns’ cautionary tale of a young woman haunted by nightmarish visions – and bring your book to get signed! Light refreshments will be available.
Science Commons Theatre (SA8002)
Join the Centre for Oral History and Tradition as they receive a Blackfoot name presented by Elders Francis First Charger and Dr. Leroy Little Bear.
Science Commons (SA6012)
Following the Blackfoot Naming Ceremony for the Centre for Oral History and Tradition, join us for a special presentation by the award winning Apooyak'ii, Dr. Tiffany Prete.
Science Commons (SA6012)