McDougall Reconciliation Tipi: Set-up, Cultural Instruction and Dedication
Tuesday, September 22 at 11 am

Join us online via Zoom as we commemorate Treaty Day with a special Reconciliation Tipi for Indigenous instruction in the sanctuary at McDougall. This tipi will be a permanent fixture for our church, which we will put up and take down during significant times of the year. Tipi Knowledge Keeper and former Chief of the Bearspaw First Nation, Dave Bearspaw Jr. will assist with setting up the tipi with a few of our able-bodied members, and will explain the significance of the tipi and its responsibilities as McDougall takes ownership of the tipi as part of our growth and pathway to intercultural learning and reconciliation. A blessing by an Elder from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation will help dedicate the tipi and all its good works to assist in the mission of righting relations between McDougall United Church and Indigenous people in the future. At this gathering we will commemorate the September 22, 1877 signing of Treaty 7 with a video of the history recounted by descendants that include our namesake and signatory, the Rev. John McDougall, the Methodist missionary and advisor who participated in many treaty negotiations in western Canada and signed as a witness for the church. The tipi will be erected with limited participation from the congregation, but it will be broadcast live via our YouTube channel. 


Treaty 7 Virtual Blanket Exercise
Tuesday, September 22 at 7 pm

This year we are coordinating with the Calgary Interfaith Council, I-CARE, U of C Faith and Spirituality Centre, Chinook Winds Region, McDougall United Church, and the Urban Indigenous Circle to deliver a Treaty 7 Virtual Blanket Exercise via Zoom. Select members (limit: 10 executive members) will participate in the exercise, which will be broadcast at 7 pm to the public, with an opportunity to share and reflect upon our shared history. Everyone is welcome and all are invited to attend this special exercise to learn about the history of Treaty 7 and the relationship that was signed onto by Indigenous people in southern Alberta 143 years ago.

Free tickets available on Eventbrite. Or please email the Calgary Interfaith Council for the Zoom link.