Siksika, Calgary partner on community well-being through sport, recreation

Siksika Health Services and the City of Calgary will focus on sport and recreation as a means of advancing reconciliation and community well-being—and they want to serve as a model for others to do the same. (Courtesy Siksika Health Services)

Siksika Health Services and the City of Calgary will focus on sport and recreation as a means of advancing reconciliation and community well-being—and they want to serve as a model for others to do the same.

A partnership was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a Blackfoot ceremony late last week.

It was announced Tuesday in a release issued jointly by Siksika Health Services and the City of Calgary.

The partnership aims “to demonstrate how sport and recreation can be powerful pathways for relationship-building, collaboration, healing and community resilience.”

Tuesday’s release said that applies “both on and off the Nation, including for Siksika members living in Calgary.”

Ike Solway, councillor and Siksika Health Services board chair, said sport and recreation are “a huge part” of building “holistic health programs and services that include mental, physical, spiritual health, grounded in Siksika culture.”

Angie Sarsons, Siksika Health Services CEO, said the MOU’s signing “is not just a formality; it is a genuine, lasting commitment to this partnership.”

Jarret Hoebers, City of Calgary recreation service delivery manager, said the MOU “isn’t really about the things we’re going to do, but more about how we’re going to do it.”

“It’s really exciting to be partnering with Siksika Health, an organization that shares the values of a holistic approach to individual and community well-being,” Hoebers said.

Tuesday’s release noted Siksika Nation’s long history of athleticism.

It also noted Siksika Health Services’ work to open a Siksika Sports Hall of Fame in September 2027.

The University of Calgary is among the partners helping with making that a reality.