Land Acknowledgement
Since time immemorial, the Children of the Plains, the Siksikaitsitapi – The Blackfoot, have lived in a territory that stretches from the North Saskatchewan River in present day Alberta and Saskatchewan, to the Yellowstone River in the state of Montana, from the Continental Divide in the west, to the Great Sand Hills in the province now known as Saskatchewan.
St. Mary’s University is located on these traditional territories and in the spirit of Respect, Reciprocity and Truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River; the traditional Blackfoot name of this place which we now call the City of Calgary. St. Mary’s University is situated on traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Aamskapi-Piikani along with the other signatories of Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, the Tsuut’ina Nation and Iyarhe Nakoda Nations: Chiniki, Bearspaw, Goodstoney.
We also acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta Districts 5 and 6. Finally, we Acknowledge ALL Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.
St. Mary’s is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, most importantly to the Calls to Action in Education.
“Achieving reconciliation is like climbing a mountain- we must proceed a step at a time. It will not always be easy. There will be storms, there will be obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task because our goal is just and it is also necessary.” – Late Honorable Murray Sinclair (TRC)
Angela Bear Chief, BA, B.Ed.
Indigenous Relations and Initiative Coordinator
Angela was born and raised on the traditional lands of Treaty 7 and was raised in the Catholic and Blackfoot traditions. She is married and blessed to be a mother to 4 children, and 9 grandchildren who are her greatest teachers.
She is honoured to share her life experiences through St. Mary’s University. Her educational journey began at St. Mary’s in 2019, where she has earned two degrees, one in BA General Studies 2022 and B.Ed. After-degree in 2024.
email: angela.bearchief@stmu.ca
We Listen:
- To our Indigenous Advisory Council which provides advice and assistance to Indigenous strategies and activities, assists and supports Indigenous programming, and helps to ensure that the program continues to meet the needs of students and community
- To our Elders Guidance Circle who gather around us to provide their individual and collective wisdom and guidance on our path towards reconciling the ongoing colonial legacy of education in Canada
- To our Elders on Campus when we regularly welcome Elders and Knowledge-Keepers on campus to provide rich discussion and story-telling, cultural teachings and ceremony to all of the StMU community to learn more about Indigenous Ways of Knowing
We Act:
- Through academic mentoring and guidance in a culturally safe and relevant manner to self-identified Indigenous learners
- Through student support and engagement with Elders, Traditional Knowledge-Keepers and mentors who engage and nurture Indigenous learners on campus to help them achieve their own story of success
- Through offering Indigenous Studies courses, INST 201: Introduction to Indigenous Studies and INST 301: Indigenous Studies Field Course
- Through our Continuing Education Series, Indigenous Voices, to host Indigenous Elders, Knowledge-Keepers and Scholars to center Indigenous Voices and Ways of Knowing in the academy
Indigenous Scholarships
Value: $2,000
St. Mary’s University, in memory of George Elliott, awards this scholarship to a continuing First Nation, Métis, or Inuit (FNMI) student. The scholarship is automatically awarded to an FNMI student with the highest GPA in the previous academic year. To be eligible for this award, students must register for a continuing year at St. Mary’s University. No application is required.
Value: $4,000 (5)
These awards were established by the Alberta Government to support Indigenous Albertans (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) in their pursuit of post-secondary studies in bachelor’s degree programs in Alberta. To be eligible a student must be Status Indian/First Nations, Non-Status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit and be able to provide a copy of proof of Indigenous ancestry; registered in at least 60% of a full course load (40% of a full course load if a student with a documented permanent disability); a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; a resident of Alberta; and in satisfactory academic standing in the previous academic year.
Alberta Blue Cross Indigenous Scholarships
Horatio Alger Association of Canada Indigenous Achievement Scholarships
Indspire Indigenous Scholarships
Charted Professional Accountants Indigenous Scholarships
Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards
Cenovus Energy Indigenous Scholarship Program
ATCO Indigenous Education Programs
Technology and Entrepreneurship Scholarships for Indigenous Youth
St. Mary’s University’s Indigenous Logo
St Mary’s University recognizes, respects and celebrates the unique history and cultures of all of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. The land on which the university sits is traditional Blackfoot territory. We strive to support all Indigenous students through community partnerships, celebrations of rich heritage and cultural practices and the provision of an inclusive learning environment.
The logo was developed by Kristy North Peigan, a young artist from the Piikani First Nation. The Indigenous logo Kristy North Peigan created for St. Mary’s University is based on the native concept of a Winter Count — the stretched buffalo hide with the pictographic telling of historical events. This logo is the story of St. Mary’s University and the partnership it is crafting with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Its elements include:
- Buffalo hide is referencing the hide that is being gifted to StMU
- Deer and buffalo are pulled from StMU’s Coat of Arms as well as the game that sustained life for the Blackfoot people
- Triangular shape is symbolic of tipis and the establishment of a camp for the Treaty 7 peoples
- The green triangles represent the mountain landscape to the west as seen on the Coat of Arms and also is symbolic of a painted tipi to show what regional area the owner is from
- The Métis symbol (infinity) and the polar bear paw print represent the welcoming of Métis and Inuit students and cultural knowledge for StMU
- Red and white circles are beading accents and decorative element
- The feathers are culturally sacred and the five feathers represent the five nations of Treaty 7
