10th Annual KEPA Summit: Aohkii Niita’piina / Water, the maker of all (Alberta)
June 24 - June 26
Join the Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association (KEPA) for 3 days of inspiring presentations, immersive tours to special Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) places, and networking with Blackfoot environmental leaders. The 10th Annual KEPA Summit celebrates ahokii (water) and fosters reconciliation between cultures and with the land.
1, 2 or 3 day registration options are available. Prices vary according to number of days and whether attendees are Blackfoot Tribal Members or not.
Agenda
Monday, June 24th – Standoff Multipurpose Building
| 7:00am | Pipe Ceremonies by Peter Weasel Moccasin and Mike Bruised Head |
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| 9:00am | MC Tony Delaney Opening Prayer – Elder Charlie Crow Chief Travis Plaited Hair KEPA – Leroy Little Bear and Elliot Fox |
| 9:30am | Drought Response and Fire Prevention by Travis Coleman, Blood Tribe Emergency Services |
| 10:00am | Break – move over to Saipoyi Elementary School gym, shuttle bus available |
| 10:15am | Film Screening: Bring Them Home, presented by Helen Augare, Blackfeet Community College |
| 12:30pm | Pick up lunch at Saipoyi Elementary School, return to Multipurpose Building and eat there |
| 1:15pm | Working with Nature to Build Drought Resilience by Shannon Frank, Oldman Watershed Council |
| 1:45pm | Beaver Mimicry and Resource Guide by Helen Augare and Alicia Yellow Owl, Blackfeet Community College and Beaver Dam Analogues by Alvin First Rider, Blood Tribe Land Management |
| 2:45pm | Quijos Strategies for Protecting Sacred Watersheds in Amazonian Ecuador by Lourdes Jipa, President of the Quijos Nation of Ecuador (virtual) and Patrick Wilson, University of Lethbridge |
| 4:00pm | Closing Remarks and Directions for Tours Tomorrow by Ninna Piiksii and Api’soomaahka |
Tuesday, June 25 – Field Tours
| 9:00am | Meet at Multipurpose Building, Standoff, for introduction to the day, carpooling |
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| 9:30am | Leave for tours
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Wednesday, June 26 – Waterton Community Centre
| 9:00am | Opening prayer by Elder Charlie Crow Chief, opening remarks by Park Superintendent John Festarini and Kim Pearson, Ecosystem Scientist and dignitaries |
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| 9:15am | Archeology in Pahtoomksiikiimii by Dylan Frank and Jennifer Ayles |
| 10:00am | Indigenous Guardian Program by Joe Many Fingers |
| 10:45am | Break |
| 11:00am | From Prairie to Pharmacy, Medicinal plants on the Landscape by Roy Golsteyn and Hailey Shade |
| 12:00pm | Lunch at Community Centre |
| 1:00pm | Film Screening: Singing Back the Buffalo by Tasha Hubbard (pending) and Amethyst First Rider |
| 2:30pm | Water Declaration by Niina Piiksii |
| 3:30pm | Closing Remarks by Api’soomaahka |