Cultural Teachings – Northwest Aboriginal Interagency Committees

Engaging with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

In January 2018, representatives from the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services and various organizations in Grande Prairie came together to talk about how they can build relationships and engage with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers (Elders/Knowledge Keepers) in a way that respects Indigenous culture. From this meeting a working group was formed to explore

Guide to Land Acknowledgement

In response to questions regarding land acknowledgements from local organizations, GPACOS has prepared a resource with two suggested land acknowledgements to encompass the region in which we live and work.GPACOS recognizes that this area is full of wonderfully diverse and unique Indigenous peoples and histories, and respects that this resource may not suit everyone. We

National Indigenous People’s Day

On June 21, you and all your friends are invited to a very special celebration... the first day of summer, has been chosen as National Indigenous Peoples Day!In 1996, the Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, proclaimed it National Aboriginal Day! It's an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the cultural richness and contributions of First

Giveaway Ceremony – Round Dance & Pow Wow

At the end of every Round Dance & Pow Wow a Giveaway Ceremony is performed. The Giveaway is performed for several reasons, including as a way of honouring those who have gathered to connect and strengthen relationships, and to celebrate First Peoples’ identity and culture. Culturally, Aboriginal people are not to judge others by how much

Pow Wows

Pow Wows are celebrations which showcase Aboriginal music, dances, dance apparel, food and crafts. Commonly hosted by First Nations communities (either on reserve or in urban settings), Métis and Inuit also participate in contemporary Pow Wows. Pow Wows promote cultural pride, respect and health for young and old in an inclusive setting; drugs and alcohol are forbidden on the Pow Wow

Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in the spring of 2013. It grew out of Phyllis' story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity

Eagle Staff

The tradition of the Eagle Staff has been passed down from generation to generation. In Aboriginal cultures, the Eagle Staff represents various meanings, spiritual entities, nations, clans, languages, medicines and healing. It is believed that eagles communicate directly with the Creator, making eagles themselves, their feathers and their images highly revered by First Peoples. From

Thirteen Moons on a Turtle’s Back

To keep track of seasonal changes Native people would use the turtle’s shell. The moon completes 13 lunar cycles between summers. It takes 28 days to go from full moon to full moon (one lunar cycle).There are 13 large scutes, or sections found on a turtle’s inner shell. Surrounding them are 28 smaller scutes on