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!

“Violence affects us all…”

On June 1, 2016 Circle Project released its report on the economic impact of domestic violence.

Click on the link below to read the full report.

Economic Impact: The Cost of One Incident of Domestic Violence

Tyrah Morris receiving her certificate of completion

Big Congratulations to Tyrah Morris for completing the Leadership Development Program with the United Way Regina. Tyrah had the opportunity to learn the skills needed to be a great leader!

Circle Project continues in their commitment to provide opportunities for young Aboriginal people to develop their leadership skills in preparation for their roles as tomorrow’s leaders.

Congratulations Tyrah on your accomplishment!

Ann Perry, Executive Director accepting donation from Troy Hagen, Regina Chief of Police

Christmas is a season for giving and this holiday season Circle Project received some generous gifts that assisted us to ensure community elders, children and families were able to attend a special Christmas party just for them.

Community Elders celebrated Christmas together at Circle Project’s 16th annual Elders’ Christmas Dinner. We would like to take this opportunity to thank K+S Potash Canada for their contribution to this year’s event. Thank you K+S Potash Canada!

Our 20th Annual Children’s Christmas Party was an event to remember! A turkey dinner with all the fixings was made possible through a special donation from the Regina Police Service. Donations were also received from Unifor Local 1-S who have generously donated to this event year after year! Doug Bruch, Co-op Food Store, Sobey’s on Rochdale, Elders from Circle Project’s Annual Elders’ Party and Tom Kraemer.

May the spirit of Christmas continue to live in your hearts!

Christmas came early this year as Circle Project celebrated the holiday season with families they had the privilege to work with throughout the year at its annual Children’s Christmas Party. This year was special because it marked the 20th Anniversary. Children and families were treated to a delightful turkey dinner with all the fixings. This delicious meal was supported through a generous monetary donation from the Regina Police Service who also helped serve up lunch. Regina Police Chief Troy Hagen and 3 other senior officers came out and assisted with serving a great meal with a side of Christmas cheer. We can’t forget the cooks who also made this delicious meal possible. Thanks Dawn and the staff at the Infant Centre and Children’s Centre and Brandy and the staff at the Big Circle. Children and families also enjoyed face painting and a special show from magician Keegan Duck!

There was also a special appearance from the big man in red himself. Each child had a chance to meet Santa and received a goody bag and a special present!

Circle Project would like to express its sincere appreciation to all the sponsors that supported this year’s event. May the spirit of generosity continue to live in your hearts as we work together to make the community a better place for all.

Thank you; Unifor Local 1-S, Regina Police Service, Doug Bruch, Co-op Food store and Sobey’s on Rochdale, Elders from Circle Project’s Annual Elders’ Party and Tom Kraemer.

This year the Circle Project hosted its16th Annual Elder’s Christmas Party in celebration of our community Elders. Our MC (aka Santa’s little helper) kicked off the event with all his Christmas cheer by introducing the drum group for the opening honour and prayer song. The Christmas party guests enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixings. While enjoying their tea and dessert, joy and laughter was felt throughout, as old friends caught up, and new friends were introduced. Our musical guests, Brian Sklar and the Tex Pistols entertained the crowd with some good old time music! There was a lot of toe tapping, singing along to old tunes and even some jigging from the crowd. A free photo booth, complete with Christmas props, was there for everyone’s fun and enjoyment.  Elders enjoyed donning reindeer ears and Santa hats to have their photo taken with friends. Thanks to a little help from a special volunteer photos were printed on site allowing for participants to take home with them a special memento of the evening.  Towards the end of the night, each Elder received a present! A Christmas goody bag filled with some traditional Christmas treats like shortbread and Christmas cake for them to enjoy, or maybe even share! Circle Project’s version of the “twelve days of Christmas” was twelve gift giveaways done twice throughout the evening. Elders that were lucky to have their name drawn received a festive gift! The Circle Project staff and Council also gathered together to croon, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the Elders. All in attendance joined hands for a roundance to end the night. And so it was…“a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”

Our friends at K+S Potash Canada assisted us in providing a special evening to celebrate and honor our elders this holiday season. With their 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 this holiday season!