In the spirit of culture and truth and reconciliation, Lethbridge Polytechnic invites students, employees and the broader community to attend Stone Pipe Days March 23 to 27. This annual, week-long event celebrates the pride, history and knowledge of the Niitsitapi community at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
“Stone Pipe Days is a celebration of the Siksikaitsitapi, the Blackfoot people,” says Jordan Head, Indigenous Cultural Advisor at Lethbridge Polytechnic. “As a polytechnic, we are in a unique position to educate about the Niitsitapi culture, offering insight and understanding as to how truth and reconciliation benefits all.”
The week’s main events will highlight the partnership between the Niitsitapi community and Lethbridge Polytechnic through tradition and education. At 10 a.m. Monday, berry soup and fry bread will be available for all, followed by the Stone Pipe Days opening ceremony at 11 a.m., featuring institutional and community speakers marking the official start of the week-long celebration. Following the ceremony, Blackfoot Confederacy chiefs will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the polytechnic, strengthening their existing relationship and reflecting a shared commitment to learning from one another.
“Stone Pipe Days is a time for learning, as it reminds us that education does not happen only in classrooms,” says Dr. Brad Donaldson, president and CEO of Lethbridge Polytechnic. “With this week’s events and the signing of an MOU with the Blackfoot Confederacy, we celebrate with openness and respect, acknowledging that learning is an important step toward reconciliation.”
Other events throughout the week include:
- a round dance from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday in The Cave (CE1300);
- the Stone Pipe Days powwow from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium;
- cultural speakers presenting stories and topics related to Niitsitapi culture at noon Tuesday and Friday in the E.C. Fredericks Theatre (CE1365);
- a film series at 4 p.m. Monday and at noon and 4 p.m. Wednesday in the E.C. Fredericks Theatre;
- prize draws worth a total of $1,000, and
- traditional games from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Friday in The Cave.
For a complete list of Stone Pipe Days events, visit lethpolytech.ca/stonepipedays.