Kainai Elder/Knowledge Keeper Barbara Scout shares at the BTDH's Honouring Our Ancestors Conference

The Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. Elder/Knowledge Keeper Barbara Scout (Kainai) offers teachings and encouragement to Day Treatment clients at the BTDH Wellness Program’s Gender Equality Conference: “Honouring Our Ancestors - Practicing our Siksikaitsitapi Traditions Through Innovation and Vision.” November 15-16, 2002 at the Sandman Inn, Lethbridge. This two-day gathering brought together Blackfoot Elders/Knowledge Keepers that the BTDH Wellness Centre works to provide supports to its Wellness Day Treatment Program and other initiatives to foster “Understanding Elders’ Knowledge as it is transmitted Intergenerationally through Story Telling.” “The amount of shared Indigenous Knowledge is declining due to a loss of holistic connection and cultural contacts, which undermines the integrity of the Elder’s knowledge. The number of Elders who have a considerable amount of oral knowledge is diminishing. Oral tradition is a resource, as knowledge keepers pass away, the need to preserve such information has become imperative. Oral Tradition articulates human history , human practices of communication of culture, tradition and visual understanding of the past.” The Gathering focused on the Award-Winning Day Treatment Program with about 32 clients in attendance. Topics included Gender Equality : Decolonization and the Indian Residential School experience. The purpose of the conference is to empower, educate and enlighten delegates on Siksikaitsitapiiyssini – Our Blackfoot Ways of Knowing, Being and Gender Roles. The “transfer of knowledge will be key in developing inner strength and training for recovery and reconnection from addictions.