At UFA we are committed to reconciliation and advancing relationships with Indigenous partners and communities. As part of our work to pursue meaningful opportunities, it is essential to have space that honours Indigenous culture and the Indigenous Peoples whose footprints have marked the land since time immemorial.
Elder Clarence Wolfleg (Miiksika`am) from Siksika Nation recently led UFA’s Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee and Senior Leadership Team members in a traditional Pipe Ceremony at UFA’s Calgary Support Office (CS0). The Pipe Ceremony was held in the spirit of reconciliation to rename and dedicate one of the meeting rooms at CSO. During the ceremony, Elder Clarence gifted UFA a new name for the space: Sohkyoyiis (Su-kwoi-us); in Blackfoot, it means Lodge on the Land. Elder Clarence also blessed the room, our co-operative and the communities we serve, with smudging. We are grateful to Elder Clarence and Aubin Consulting for their guidance and extend our heartfelt appreciation.
As part of UFA’s commitment to reconciliation, it is essential to have a special place honouring Indigenous culture and traditions and a dedicated place for UFA’s Indigenous employees, partners and community members to gather and have meaningful conversations about our path forward.
We are excited to share the experience with our membership through a special video, and we invite you to watch it here.
