Elder Capacity Camp & Cultural Celebration (2024)
Over the course of three days, nearly 35 esteemed Elders representing various nations of Treaty 7 and beyond, gathered down in a beautiful valley lining the Bow River. Marking its fourth annual occurrence, the Treaty 7 Elders Camp and Cultural Celebration was organized by Alberta Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) and the Elders Knowledge Circle Society (EKCS) in partnership with the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC), ATB Financial, Mahegun Tails Inc., Miskanawah, and Trellis Society.
Elders Camp fulfills four important purposes:
To serve as a platform for the Elders Knowledge Circle Society (EKCS) to seek guidance and support, paving the way for their self-sufficiency and sustainability.
To preserve oral traditions and systems of Indigenous governance.
To build capacity among each other and to share knowledge with the younger generation, supporting the transference of language and teachings.
To heal with the support of one another through ceremony and within a supportive circle of Elders, coming together with a shared purpose and vision for the future.
“Having a camp like this rejuvenates us, bringing us health and wellbeing so we can bring these teachings back to our homes and communities.”
Read the full report here.
