Calgary Indigenous community gathers for hide preparation

Ceremonies, ancient stories, and music took place in the Hide Preparation and Open Hearts event at Elliston Park Saturday.

The event allows people to participate in traditional hide preparation, and learn from each other. And on Saturday, everyone was welcome as long as they brought their own chair.

Indigenous Role models participated, sharing their stories and experiences, including Mrs. Canada 2022, Lorelai Higgins.

“It makes us be on the land, and while we can talk about truth and reconciliation, this is the part where we actually feel it in our hearts,” said Higgins.

Darcy Turning Robe says they bring good energy with music.

“This is a blessing that’s going on right now and that’s a big celebration. It’s because we are still able to practice our way of life .. being free to burn wood and do our thing here,” Turning Robe said.

Turning Robe adds these kinds of events bring pride back to their people in different ways, and connects them to the land and their culture, where they get the community involved to learn their ways of living and to be understood.

Former Canadian alpine skier Wendy Lumby also wants to raise awareness of who Indigenous People are, and what they represent in Canada.

“I’m very proud, here’s my torch from the Olympic, really that I was nominated to be and Aboriginal sports hero for Canada,” Lumby said. “I think its really great to raise awareness for the community to come and see what we do as a nation.”