Planet Youth Calgary is dedicated to creating a lasting impact, particularly when it comes to nurturing the well-being of our youth. In a world where youth face increasing challenges, we came together to mark a new milestone for our community with an Indigenous Pipe Ceremony.
The Indigenous Pipe Ceremony marked a significant milestone for Planet Youth Calgary as we embarked on the next phase of the 10-step Icelandic Prevention Model. This important ceremony served as a symbol of our shared responsibilities as a community and an opportunity to honour our commitment to implementing an Indigenous Parallel. It was a celebration of the journey of Planet Youth in Calgary and a space for building relationships and connections with key stakeholders and community members.
The Deep Significance of the Pipe Ceremony
Pipe ceremonies are sacred traditions connecting us to physical and spiritual realms. They serve as a powerful symbol of renewal and a fresh start. Indigenous people hold pipe ceremonies for various reasons, such as asking for blessings, marking and elevating intentions, starting an important journey, and seeking guidance. Elders and ceremonialists who have the right to lead them vary in their pipe ceremony teachings and protocols, depending on their cultural background and knowledge. Through the pipe ceremony, we gathered to share our commitments, express our intentions, and seek guidance. It is an honour to be part of one and to witness them as part of Planet Youth Calgary’s journey. This sacred tradition will become an annual event for Planet Youth Calgary, providing the opportunity to revisit our shared intentions, hopes, and prayers, ensuring that we consistently honour our commitments in a good way.
Our event was attended by numerous influential leaders, including Indigenous Elders, Youth Elders, Jeff Dyer, CEO of Trellis Society, Tanis Cochrane, COO of YMCA, Kirby Redwood, CEO of Miskanawah and United Way of Calgary and Area Board Members, Liz Stretch and Beth Reimer-Heck.
Notably, we were honoured by the presence of two of our founding corporate investors RBC and Tourmaline Oil, along with the unwavering support of our Elders and Indigenous community members. Their presence further highlights the importance of coming together to acknowledge our shared commitment and emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive community for our youth.
Shaping the Future: Acknowledging Our Supporters and Founding Investors
We are incredibly grateful for all the donors, corporations, foundations, Indigenous community members, and agency partners who stand united with us to launch and scale this game-changing initiative that will positively impact Calgary youth. A special acknowledgment goes to all our Founding Investors for their transformational, multi-year commitment. Their investments are the catalyst, shaping the future of our city and creating a long-lasting and multigenerational impact. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable support from our Elders, Youth Elders, and community members, whose involvement and dedication play a pivotal role in this journey.
Planet Youth is a testament to what can be achieved through the collective effort of our community. We are excited to carry this momentum forward as we enter a new phase of the Planet Youth model. As we continue our journey together, we look forward to gathering for many more pipe ceremonies as an opportunity to revisit our shared intentions, hopes, and prayers for Planet Youth.
Learn More About Planet Youth Calgary
To learn more about the remarkable work being done by Planet Youth Calgary, please visit our website: Planet Youth Calgary.
Listen to Our Podcast
If you are interested in gaining deeper insights into the Planet Youth Indigenous Parallel Youth Well-being Circles and how they empower young people, while honouring Indigenous traditions, tune in to Episode 9 of the Social Impact Lab’s Responsible Disruption podcast.