Showcasing all there is to offer

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Siksika Nation held their showcase conference and trade show August 18 and 19. Delegates and members of surrounding communities were invited to spend a few days at the Old Sun Community College to see what Siksika has to offer. Last year there had been a showcase type of event but organizers this year decided to start from scratch.  

“Over time we just kind of picked it up, last year they didn’t have a real theme so this year we picked building better relationships. Once we started with the idea of building better relationships it just kind of took off from there,” said Douglas Winnipeg, an organizer of the two day event. 

On the first day, breakfast was offered and then people were taken on a tour of some of the top-notch facilities Siksika Nation has to offer. Ralph Klein, former premier of Alberta, spoke to the guests alongside Siksika Chief Leroy Wolf Collar in a show of support to the showcase. Klein has always been close to many of the chiefs of Siksika, and in 2001 he became a honourary member of the Siksika nation. The theme of the showcase was ‘building better relationships.’

“Despite what’s happened in the past we do know that we will eventually need Strathmore and the surrounding communities. This is just the first step of many that will lead to self sustainability, economic development and eventually being a resource that Strathmore and Calgary can eventually tap into,” said Winnipeg. On the 19th, a panel discussion was held so people know why Siksika Nation is a good investment.  

“In the next 30 years Siksika Nation will need Strathmore and at some point Strathmore will need Siksika Nation. To start building a bridge now before that happens would only add to better economic stability between us, a better relationship and a cultural exchange. There are people in Strathmore now that want to know about Siksika Nation but they don’t have any venue to do it,” said Winnipeg. The Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce were big supporters of what the Siksika Nation is doing.   

“At the chamber we’re trying to do our part to promote Strathmore businesses to come out and support Siksika too and build that relationship between them,” said Lin Walker with the chamber.  

Though it is up in the air as to whether there will be another showcase next year, Winnipeg said there is already someone who would like to host it next year. The showcase is unique to Siksika Nation; no others have showcased themselves at this point. Winnipeg said if things continue to go well they may pass tips to other First Nations communities who want to begin their own showcase.