��ɫֱ��

Campus community members, faculty and leaders came together on March 16 to mark another year of ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the University of Calgary’s Indigenous strategy, with a special Tea Dance Ceremony.

The Tea Dance Ceremony validates the annual report, , that was presented at the Annual Journey Update Event held in November 2025.

In the spirit of parallel paths, the ceremony gives validation to the report in an Indigenous context. The ceremony was conducted by Amelia and Karli Crowshoe, granddaughters of Elders Reg and Rose Crowshoe.

Guests of the ceremony heard the annual report presented orally to the Circle by Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, vice-provost of Indigenous engagement, and Provost Sandra Davidson, PhD. The report was then validated through a pipe ceremony and smudge and placed in a bundle holding the mandate of the Indigenous Strategy, representing the university's ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

The team, led by , MD, and , MEd'13, PhD'20, were also in attendance and presented their report orally to the Circle, as well. Their report was validated through a second pipe ceremony and smudge during the event and placed in a bundle holding a document with One Child Every Child's mandates.

The symbol

During the event, attendees viewed the university's , a buffalo robe that is marked each year by Elder Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD'01, with a new symbol to represent the journey of the Strategy. This year’s symbol is “Empowerment from the Circle,” depicting people sitting in a tipi in a circle with smudge, focusing on people coming together and being empowered by each other.

“When we come together, smudge together, and learn from one another in an ethical space, we receive Empowerment from the Circle,” writes Elder Reg in the report.

Community

The ceremony was celebratory and much conversation, learning and laughter was shared. Guests also came together in traditional round dances.

Attendees shared in a meal, beginning with a first course of berry soup, a traditional Indigenous soup made from simmered berries; this was followed by a boxed lunch.

Guests of the event look forward to returning yearly to be in community with each other, meet new colleagues supporting the work of ii’ taa’poh’to’p, and reunite with old ones.

To learn more about ii’ taa’poh’to’p and read the annual report, visit the website.