Our 3rd Annual Hearts in the Park event was held on May 30th, 2018 against the backdrop of a bright blue sky accented with 2 tipis at Victoria Park in Downtown Regina. With smiles shining as brightly as the sun, volunteers in purple t-shirts interacted with the public to fill out bright red hearts, identified their relationship with someone they know who has been affected by violence.
The event provided a great opportunity for a diverse and ongoing community partnership between Circle Project, Regina Police Service (RPS), U of S Nursing College-Regina Campus and SOFIA House. The community partners came together to plan and host this important event which serves to raise levels of awareness about violence in our community. The Hearts in the Park event also works to reduce the stigma attached to domestic, family and interpersonal violence. This year, each partner talked about the impact of violence in our community on today’s youth, either through family violence or interpersonal violence. In addition, we had two male youths, from a local high school, speak about violence in our community and how this effects today’s youth.
Thank you to our Community Partners, Regina Police Service (RPS), U of S College of Nursing-Regina Campus and SOFIA House and the Department of Justice Canada’s Victims and Survivors of Crime Week for providing us the opportunity to share this important message in our community.
On March 23, 2018 Circle Project held a pipe ceremony, feast and round dance in celebration of their 30th Anniversary. Staff and volunteers began their day by preparing and cooking. The pipe ceremony began shortly after 5 pm, immediately followed by the feast. Circle Project staff assisted the Elders and servers. Friends from the Regina Police Service were in attendance and pitched in to lend a hand. We kicked of our Round Dance (almost 30 singers shared their songs with us) as the over 400 people in attendance danced and socialized throughout the evening. It was an amazing experience to have the community celebrate with us, but it was made even more special by the bright happy faces of the children and youth in attendance. Later in the evening the giveaway was held and through this ceremony Circle Project was able to recognize and give thanks to the community that has supported the agency over the last 30 years. Just before midnight, staff handed out lunches and four special 30th Anniversary cakes were served to the crowd. Once the food was handed out the round dance continued, concluding just after midnight.
Thank you to Circle Project Elders, Council and Staff for all the work that they do in the community. Thank you to the volunteers who helped to make our celebration a success. Thank you to the community for coming out and celebrating with us. We look forward to another 30 years working to serve the needs of our community.
Bob Cantin, Circle Project Council President and Ann Perry, Executive Director presenting Jeff Cappo with a blanket in appreciation!
Community members enjoying themselves
Joni Adamcewicz, Deanna Keewatin and Shelly Desnomie enjoying the evening.
Bob Cantin, Council President with Bernie Cantin.
Larissa Anderson, Ann Perry and Amanda Froh – Such hard work but smiles all around.
This young drummer won over many as he played his heart out!
Regina Police Service brought their dancing shoes
Circle Project Childcare Staff Serving Anniversary Cake – Who wants cake? YUMMY!
Community members enjoying themselves
Allan Pratt taking this opportunity to connect with the community.
It’s Christmas time, that time of the year for us to celebrate the Season together. Circle Project held its 18th Annual Elder’s Christmas Party on Thursday, December 7, 2017. The party had a mix of fun, frolic, games and dance, and our guests were able to reconnect with those they had not seen throughout the year. The evening kicked off with Elder Noel Starblanket offering a prayer to the Creator and with Jeff Cappo leading the Lone Creek Drum Group in an Honour Song.
The buffet supper was a sumptuous meal of turkey with all the fixings and was greatly appreciated by all. After supper, the elders enjoyed coffee, tea and a wide array of desert items. The musical entertainment kicked off with Brian Sklar and the Tex Pistols providing some good old fashioned toe tapping tunes for the gathering to enjoy. Many of the elders took a spin around the dance floor for a shot at winning one of many spot dance prizes. This was followed by an all-time favourite, the jigging competition. Many took to the floor in an effort to show off their fancy footwork and although there could only be one winner, everyone had a great time sharing laughter and good natured ribbing.
One of the highlights of the evening was our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway, were a draw was held to determine the winners. Those who were lucky enough to hear their names called were given a Christmas gift to take home. In addition to this, each elder received a box of special treats to take home and enjoy.
The night wrapped up with the Circle Project Staff and Council singing an enthusiastic, if not always in tune, version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and a round dance with all in attendance who were able participating.
Once again, our friends at K+S Potash Canada assisted us in providing a special evening to celebrate our elders. With their continued sponsorship we were able to provide an extra special evening. Circle Project would like to take this opportunity to thank K+S Potash Canada for their generous contribution towards honouring our elders this holiday season!
Council President Bob Cantin, Vice President Keon Flamont and Executive Director Ann Perry honour Circle Project Elder Noel Starblanket and Kookum Florence Isaac with assistance from Darcy Torangeau, representing event Sponsors K+S Potash Canada.
Council President Bob Cantin and Vice-President Keon Flamont honouring Margaret Rockthunder, Jane Carriere and Harold Lavallee for their work with Circle Project Programs.
Council President Bob Cantin and Vice-President Keon Flamont with this years recipient of Oldest Female – Doris Rockthunder. Congratulations!
Council President Bob Cantin, Vice President Keon Flamont and Executive Director Ann Perry with this years recipient of Oldest Male – Roy Wahpoosayn. Congratulations!
Council President Bob Cantin and Executive Director Ann Perry with a table of party guests.
Party Goers dancing the night away!
Jeff Cappo belting out a tune with the band.
Council members Fred Clipsham (Treasurer), Emily Grafton (Secretary), and Jenny Strongeagle (Member) with staff getting ready to hand out goody boxes.
Council Secretary Emily Grafton presenting a goody box to a party guest.
Council member Jenny Strongeagle poses with party guest.
Council Vice-President Keon Flamont (CP), Darcy Torangeau (K+S) and Elder Noel Starblanket.
At Christmas, we love to celebrate with the families that we had the privilege to work with throughout the year. We were able to do this and more on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the 22nd Annual Children’s Christmas Party. This year’s festivities were held at the new mâmawêyatitân centre.
Children and families were treated to a delicious brunch which was served by Regina Police Chief Evan Bray and 3 other senior officers, Heather Cote-Soop (U of S Nursing College) and staff from Circle Project. Children and families enjoyed face painting and a special show from magician Keegan Duck! Families in attendance were able to have their photo taken, printed on site and were able to take them home to remember the day. After a round of Christmas Carols, children sang “Here Comes Santa Claus” and who should appear but Jolly Old Saint Nick. Each child had a chance to meet Santa, received a goody bag and a wrapped gift! The event was wrapped up with a round dance with all who were able participating.
Thank you to the volunteers who came out to the event, Regina Police Service, U of S Nursing College, George Bird, Joni Adamcewicz and especially Santa Claus himself. Also, we can’t forget the cooks who also made this delicious meal possible. Thanks Dawn and the staff at the Infant Centre, Children’s Centre and the Big Circle. We would also like to thank the Elders from Circle Project’s Annual Elders’ Party who through their donations are able to share their holiday cheer with the children and their families.
Circle Project would like to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Unifor Local 1-S. Through the long term and continued support of your committee and its members, Circle Project has been able to spread Christmas cheer to numerous families year after year. We would also like to thank Farm Credit Canada who provided a generous donation which was collected from their staff during their dress down days which we applied to the expenses from the event. We also collected donations from the Elders who attended the 2017 Circle Project Elders Christmas Party. May the spirit of generosity continue to live in your hearts as we work together to make the community a better place for all.
Council President Bob Cantin and Executive Director Ann Perry welcome everyone to the Party
Group Photo – Council President Bob Cantin, Executive Director Ann Perry, Allan Pratt, Deanna Keewatin, Natasha Wesaquate, Brandy Churchill, Children’s Centre Director Bonnie Day, Chief Evan Bray, Supt. Darcy Koch, Staff Sgt. Tim Seiferling and Insp. Brent Ermel (RPS)
Council President Bob Cantin (CP), Executive Director Ann Perry (CP) and Chief Evan Bray (RPS)
A big thank you to Street Culture for joining us to once again paint the bright, shinning faces of the children in attendance.
As the crowd gathers to enjoy the festivities, children and their parents were invited to draw on the tables and spread Christmas Cheer!
Supt. Darcy Koch (RPS) working alongside Circle Project elves as they prepare plates of brunch items for to be served at the tables of the assembled guests.
Council Vice-President Keon Flamont served up plates of delicous Brunch items which was prepared by the busy elves at Circle Projects Children’s Centre.
Regina Police Service Chief Evan Bray working hard to serve our guests a delicous Brunch which was prepared by the busy elves at Circle Projects Children’s Centre.
Regina Police Service Staff Sgt. Tim Seiferling working hard to serve our guests a delicous Brunch which was prepared by the busy elves at Circle Projects Children’s Centre.
Santa made a special appearance, speaking with each child and distributing goody bags with the assistance of his Circle Project elves.
Santa made a special appearance, speaking with each child and distributing goody bags with the assistance of his Circle Project elves.
Circle Project’s staff worked as busy little elves, helping to distribute gifts to the children in attendance.
Thank you to our Sponsors Unifor Local 1-S for your continued support and the generous donation of gifts, goody bags and your financial contribution. The joy on the faces of the children who received their gifts is the reward that we want to share with you.
Thank you to our Sponsors Unifor Local 1-S for your continued support and the generous donation of gifts, goody bags and your financial contribution. The joy on the faces of the children who received their gifts is the reward that we want to share with you.
Thank you to our Sponsors Unifor Local 1-S for your continued support and the generous donation of gifts, goody bags and your financial contribution. The joy on the faces of the children who received their gifts is the reward that we want to share with you.
The winners of our Parent Incentive Draw with Ann Perry (Executive Director) and Elder Noel Starblanket. Congratulations!!!
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 1,500,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Circle Project’s Staff and Council would like to take a moment to honour these men and women.
The Circle Project Staff and Council would like to take a moment to honour the contributions of the Indigenous men and women who have served and who continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. Indigenous people in Canada have reason to be proud of their wartime contributions. More than 7,000 First Nations members served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, and an unknown number of Inuit, Métis and other Indigenous people also participated. One Veterans group estimates that 12,000 Indigenous men and women served in the three wars.
For those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and for those who continue to serve with bravery, we would like to honour them and say thank you for their service.
We at the Circle Project wear our orange shirts as a step towards reconciliation. We wear an orange shirt to honour and bring awareness to the experiences of residential school students. #EveryChildMatters
Orange Shirt day (September 30) began in British Columbia in 2013 when a residential school survivor, Phyllis Webstad, shared her story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has become an opportunity for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation.
We are happy to share this short video by Phyllis Webstad, the woman who started orange shirt day. This is her story. https://youtu.be/E3vUqr01kAk
Circle Project, IMCF and REACH would like to give a big thanks to everyone who participated in National Aboriginal Day. Whether it was as a sponsor, special guest, or community member, your collective contributions have made this year’s National Aboriginal Day Mamawinitowin Mocikihtawinihkewin, ‘Our Community Celebration’ a huge success!
Circle Project, IMCF and REACH would like to give a big thanks to everyone who participated in National Aboriginal Day. Whether it was as a sponsor, special guest, or community member, your collective contributions have made this year’s National Aboriginal Day Mamawinitowin Mocikihtawinihkewin, ‘Our Community Celebration’ a huge success!
