Once again it was time to spread Christmas cheer at our Annual Elders’ Christmas Party. For 20 consecutive years we have shared this special event with the Elders in our community. We laughed, ate, danced and made merry. This event continues to be a great opportunity for our Elders to catch up with those they may not have not seen all year. Thank you to all who attended, you have made our event a great success and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
A very special thank you to Mosaic (www.mosaicco.com) for sponsoring our event! With your support, we were able to spread holiday cheer and put bright smiles on the faces of our many community Elders.
Through the “All That Kids Can Be” focus area, United Way Regina continues to empower Circle Project to positively impact the lives of the many Indigenous children and parents that we serve in the community. United Way Regina works hard to help us provide opportunities for children to succeed in school so that one day they will lead our community into a safe and prosperous future.
Circle Project’s Council, Staff and Families would like to thank United Way Regina for their continued support of the Circle Project, the Children’s Centre and the Infant & Toddler Centre. Through this vital partnership we are able to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and parents who participate in our Cultural Connections for Kids program.
Circle Project Council and Staff would like to send a huge thank you to the Gentle Road Church of Christ and the North Central Community Assoc. for the youth volunteers who assisted with painting at our Children’s Centre and Infant & Toddler’s Centre. Thank you to our new friends from Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and Regina!
This summer has been so hectic as we work hard to make many exciting changes to our child care centres. At the Children’s Centre many improvements are being made to our yard and with the addition of two murals, our children will have amazing new spaces to explore, learn and play in. Special thanks to the volunteer youth from the Gentle Road Church of Christ for all their hard work painting at both of our childcare centres. Here is a sneak peek of the beautiful murals they completed at the Children’s Centre. Stay tuned for more updates on the changes we are making.
Circle Project held its 2nd Anniversary Round Dance with a pipe ceremony and feast on March 15, 2019 in a continued celebration of their community service. Staff and volunteers busily prepared food and readied the Mâmawêyatitân Centre for the event. Led by Circle Project Elders, the pipe ceremony began shortly after 5 followed by the feast. The Round Dance began with drummers sharing their songs with the more than 500 individuals present throughout the evening. It was a beautiful sight seeing those in attendance, both young and old, as they partook in this traditional cultural activity. A giveaway included many items that were donated by Circle Project Staff and Council members in acknowledgement of the support given to our organization by the community. It filled us with joy watching the community as they danced and shared their appreciation. Staff distributed lunch bags just before midnight and after the drummers beat their drums for the last time that evening, everyone said their farewells and went home.
We would like to take a moment to thank Circle Project Elders, Council and Staff for all they do in the community. Thank you to the volunteers who help make events such as this happen. Thank you to the community for coming out to celebrate with us. We are excited to continue our work serving the needs of our community.
Jeff Cappo, MC and Russell Paskemin, Stickman
Community members tapping their toes as they watch the Round Dance
Bob Cantin, Council President, Bernie Cantin, Volunteer, Joni Adamcewicz, Volunteer and Deanna Keewatin, Lifestyles and Addictions Counsellor
It is a real joy seeing young and old participating together
Rhonda Bird, Council Vice President and Ann Perry, Executive Director
Larissa Anderson, Director of Childcare Services taking a video while crowd enjoys the Round Dance
Community members watching the Round Dance
Circle Project staff keeping things tidy
It is wonderful that so many came out to help us celebrate
Community members tapping their toes as they watch the Round Dance
Allan Pratt, Family Violence Coordinator with Circle Project staff in their t-shirts displaying the new logo
More little ones participating
Circle Project Staff in front of banner displaying new logo
What a great time we had at our 19th Annual Elders’ Christmas Party on December 6, 2018. We laughed, ate, danced and made merry. This event continues to be a great opportunity for our Elders to catch up with those they may not have seen all year. Thank you to all who attended, you have made our event a great success and we look forward to seeing you again next year!
A special thank you to The Mosaic Company for sponsoring our event! With your support, we were able to spread holiday cheer and put bright smiles on the faces of our community Elders.
Ann Perry, Executive Director, Alma Poitras, Elder, Harrold Lavallee, Elder, Margaret Rockthunder, Elder and Bob Cantin, Council President
Poinsettias for Circle Project Elder recognition
Christmas Quiz Winning Team
Christmas Quiz Last Place Winners
Elders Enjoying Entertainment
Louise Kahnapace and Dorothy Redwood
Elvie Stonechild, MC and Gene Pelletier
Gladys Prettyshield, Joyce Prettyshield and Audrey Bellegarde
Larissa Anderson. Director of Childcare Services and Tyrah Kaiswatum, Assistant Director Infant & Toddler Centre with Nancy Bitternose
Nancy Bitternose and Ola May Eshappie
Elders Enjoying Entertainment
Deanna Keewatin, Lifestyles and Addictions Counsellor with Mrs. Claus
Grassick Park was abuzz with various activities by mid afternoon on June 21/2018. A Grand Entry was followed by powwow dance and Métis jigging demonstrations, lacrosse demonstrations, Métis jigging instruction, traditional Aboriginal storytelling and Cree BINGO for the Elders. The cultural tent included various colourful and interesting storyboards, including eight new boards on the Métis Culture. Family activities included a photo booth, traditional hand game demos, Indigenous themed arts and crafts, face painting and inflatable bouncers. The community barbeque saw a huge crowd once again.
This year marked our first ever Indigenous Battle of the Bands to support Indigenous musicians. Four bands, chosen from the many entries, competed against each other for the trophy and title of best Indigenous Band. Between performances, special entertainment from Circle Project’s Cultural Connections for Kids program, had the young children from this program perform the drumming and singing they learned; filling all who watched with pride. The evening concluded with a community round dance.
Community partners Circle Project, ICF & REACH would like to thank our major sponsors, City of Regina, SaskCulture, Government of Canada, K+S Potash Canada and Rawlco Radio. We would also like to thank our event supporters, SaskEnergy, Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Unifor Local 1S, North Central Community Association, Loraas Disposal, Street Culture Project and Tim Horton’s 4th Avenue location. The generous support from sponsors and supporters helped make our 2018 National Indigenous Peoples Day Mamawinitowin Mocikihtawinihkewin – ‘Our Community Celebration’ an amazing success. Thank you for helping us to celebrate Indigenous people and culture in our community!
Grand Entry is set to begin!
Jason Isbister carrying ICF Eagle Staff and Muhammed Fiaz, MLA for Regina Pasqua carrying the Saskatchewan Flag as they participate in the Grand Entry.
Mayor Michael Fougere carrying the City of Regina Flag while participating in the Grand Entry.
Jeff Shattler, Saskatchewan Rush carrying the Metis Nation Saskatchewan Flag while participating in the Grand Entry.
Bob Cantin, Circle Project Council President carrying the Circle Project Flag while participating in the Grand Entry.
Chief Ira McArthur from Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation participating in Grand Entry.
Carla Beck, MLA for Regina Lakeview, Mark Docherty, MLA, Speaker of the House and Nicole Sauer, MLA for Regina Douglas Park participating in the Grand Entry.
NIPD Committee Member Ann Perry, Circle Project Executive Director participating in the Grand Entry.
NIPD Committee member Bert Adema, Indigenous Christian Fellowship Executive Director participating in the Grand Entry.
Kokum Lorna Standingready, REACH Elder with NIPD Committee member Dana Folkersen, REACH Executive Director participating in the Grand Entry.
NIPD Committee members watching Dance Demonstrations.
O’Kanata, the Cree version of O’ Canada was sung by Tyler Reyes with Circle Project Elder Noel Starblanket.
Indigenous Men and Women participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Indigenous men participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Indigenous boy participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Young Indigenous boys participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Indigenous man participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Lone Creek Culture Club
Indigenous Women and children participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Indigenous women and girls participating in Pow Wow Demonstrations.
Young Metis Jigger from Kitchener School participating in Jigging Demonstrations.
Young Metis Jiggers from Kitchener School participating in Jigging Demonstrations.
Children from Circle Project’s Cultural Connections for Kids program drumming with their teacher Russell Paskemin.
Children from Circle Project’s Cultural Connections for Kids program drumming with their teacher Russell Paskemin.
Children from Circle Project’s Cultural Connections for Kids program singing in Cree with their teacher Chastity Delorme.
Children from Circle Project’s Cultural Connections for Kids program singing in Cree with their teacher Chastity Delorme.
Sgt. Barry Ledoux, RCMP – Aboriginal Policing, Chief Evan Bray, Regina Police Service with Officer from RPS.
Ann Perry, Circle Project Executive Director and Elizabeth Popowich, Manager, Public Information & Strategic Communication at Regina Police Service.
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.
