 |
 |
2005 Treaty 7 Education Conference
Oct. 5-7 2005
at the SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Calgary, Alberta
Artwork by C Jay Sleigh of Siksika Nation High School (Grade 12)
This year the 2005 Treaty Seven Education Conference was hosted by the Siksika Nation. Treaty Seven is the peace treaty five tribes from southern Alberta signed with the Queen of England in 1877. The five tribes are the Nakoda (Stoney), Sarcee (Tsuu T'ina), Siksika, Piikani(Piegan), and Kainaiwa(Blood).
Each year one of the Treaty Seven tribes host the conference and this year it was the Siksika Nation. The theme of this year's conference was--- Makoi-yohsokoyi: Following The Wolf Trail (also known as the Blackfoot story of the Milky Way).
This conference is geared for educators and others who work within the educational system of the Treaty Seven tribes. The conference consisted of keynote presentations and breakout sessions. On behalf of the Siksika Board of Education and LIGO, I gave a luncheon keynote presentation[above right].
Daphne McHugh (Siksika Asst. Superintendent) welcoming audience
Being a member of the Siksika Nation, I talked about my family, educational path, and my work with the LIGO project.
A pointer to my presentation is here.
Bow River Valley in Siksika
Makoi-yohsokoyi: The Wolf Trail, also known as the Milky Way
This is a Blackfoot story related to what we refer to in the night sky as the Milky Way. The Blackfoot have many stories related to sky (the sun, moon, various constellations, etc.). Here is the story of The Wolf Trail:
Makoiyi, the wolves, were the first Earth Beings to pity us. One winter, when our people were starving, a young man and his family camped by themsevles as they searched for food. The wolves found the family and appeared to them as a young man, bringing fresh meat to the tipi. The wolves took this family with them, showing the man how to cooperate with other people when he hunted buffalo and other animals. The wolves told our ancestors that animals with hoofs and horns were all right to eat, but that animals with paws and claws should be left alone. The wolves disappeared in the spring, but we still see them in the sky as Makoi-yohsokoyi, the Wolf Trail (the Milky Way). These stars constantly remind us of how we should live together.
[taken from 2005 Treaty7 Educ. Conference Program]
 |
 |
Each year one of the Treaty Seven tribes host the conference and this year it was the Siksika Nation. The theme of this year's conference was--- Makoi-yohsokoyi: Following The Wolf Trail (also known as the Blackfoot story of the Milky Way).
This conference is geared for educators and others who work within the educational system of the Treaty Seven tribes. The conference consisted of keynote presentations and breakout sessions. On behalf of the Siksika Board of Education and LIGO, I gave a luncheon keynote presentation[above right].
Daphne McHugh (Siksika Asst. Superintendent) welcoming audience
Being a member of the Siksika Nation, I talked about my family, educational path, and my work with the LIGO project.
A pointer to my presentation is here.
Bow River Valley in Siksika
This is a Blackfoot story related to what we refer to in the night sky as the Milky Way. The Blackfoot have many stories related to sky (the sun, moon, various constellations, etc.). Here is the story of The Wolf Trail:
Makoiyi, the wolves, were the first Earth Beings to pity us. One winter, when our people were starving, a young man and his family camped by themsevles as they searched for food. The wolves found the family and appeared to them as a young man, bringing fresh meat to the tipi. The wolves took this family with them, showing the man how to cooperate with other people when he hunted buffalo and other animals. The wolves told our ancestors that animals with hoofs and horns were all right to eat, but that animals with paws and claws should be left alone. The wolves disappeared in the spring, but we still see them in the sky as Makoi-yohsokoyi, the Wolf Trail (the Milky Way). These stars constantly remind us of how we should live together.
[taken from 2005 Treaty7 Educ. Conference Program]
modified 10/11/05