The next time you go to Shawnessy YMCA or Remington YMCA in Quarry Park, look up! We recently held a Treaty 7 flag raising ceremony, reminding us all that everyone belongs at the YMCA. As we continue on our Truth and Reconciliation journey, we will honour and recognize the Treaty 7 Nations and urban Indigenous community by continuing to create ethical space within our YMCAs for all.
Thank you to Elder Gregg C Smith for the following history and education on Treaty 7 and the significance of the flag:
Treaty No. 7 was entered in on September 22, 1877, at Blackfoot Crossing located on the Siksika Nation east of Calgary. All nations within the Treaty 7 region are signatories to the treaty. September 22 is considered “Treaty 7 day” and is a recognized day within all the respected nations of Treaty 7. The Treaty 7 Flag is significant to the people(s) of Treaty 7 and as this story was shared by a well-respected Treaty 7 advisor/Elder of the Piikani Nation Mr. Gregg C Smith. The Treaty 7 logo was designed and painted by the late Henry Standing Alone of Kainai/Blood Tribe, the blue represents the sky, the brown are the mountains with Chief Mountain in the middle, the 5 tipis represent the 5 tribes staring with the middle north star (Blood Tribe/Kainai), the buffalo (Piikani), the eagle (Stoney Nakoda Nations – Chiniki, Bears Paw and Good Stoney), the otter (Siksika), the beaver (Tsuut’ina), the 2 crossed pipes are significant to all the nations, and the 7 feathers on the bottom represent the 7 Nations within in Treaty 7 territory. Indigenous people will exist for as long as the sun shines the rivers flow, and the grass grow. Every day as Indigenous people of this territory it is important to build allyship with all those who call the Treaty 7 Region home. Always listen to the stories of our peoples with an opened mind and heart. Non-Indigenous peoples need to start doing their own homework to learn the history of all Indigenous peoples in Canada. Our stories are not all the same and neither are our ways of life.
We are continuing to hold Treaty 7 Flag Raising ceremonies throughout the next while. Please join us at one or more of the following:
- Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot: November 4 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton: November 18 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge: November 19 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Saddletowne YMCA: November 20 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM