1. Re: Proposal for Funding Pilot Project - Niitsitapi or Blackfoot Confederacy Elder Sharing
Session
Dear Dr. Sicotte - Department Head of Anthropology and Archaeology:
My name is Lorraine Stratkotter and I am currently a University of Calgary student in the
Faculty of Arts in the After-degree Bachelor of Arts Program with a Major in Classics and
Religious Studies and a Minor in Archaeology. I hold a Bachelor of Science with a
Specialization in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Alberta. I have also defended a
Master of Science in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Calgary. My goal is to
evenutally obtain my PhD in Geoarchaeology, which includes the sharing of knowledge through
a variety of educational forums. I was the 2014 Pure Research Award recipient in support of
studying indigenous water management in Italy and Greece from antiquity to present. This past
year I have had the opportunity to participate in Public Archaeology Programs pertaining to
Cluny at Blackfoot Crossing, Fish Creek Provincial Park, and Glenbow Quarry.
This fall I also had the opportunity to be involved in a MOOC “Reconciliation Through
Indigenous Education” course offered by the University of British Columbia. The basis of this
course being to share best practices through various educational approaches to facilitate
rebuilding trust between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples - with the primary focus on
Canada, as well examples from other countries. This proposal letter is in regards to Assignment 2
whereby participants were asked to write a "letter/proposal to a school board or other
organization to obtain funding to support participation of an Indigenous family/community
member, Elder, or knowledge keeper in your classroom, school, or community organization.”
Aspects of what were addressed in this MOOC, my background and future aspirations, and the
premise of this assignment compelled me to think of how this assignment may be useful for our
department. For example, in Archaeology 201 many of us attended a day field trip to Head-
Smashed-In Buffalo Jump that is tied to the Niitsitapi “original or real people” or Blackfoot
Confederacy. The Elder who guided my group through the facility spoke to us of the oral
traditions that had been passed on with respect to his people’s ties to each other (living and
dead), the land, and the spirits of inanimate objects. As well, he spoke of his own personal
experiences, including the suffering endured being torn away from his family to be placed in
residential school and the struggles to educate both indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in
order to heal and find a common ground to move forward together. This was so much more
meaningful being able to directly interact with an Elder and hearing first-hand his story and that
of his people.
It is my understanding that many of the students and/or faculty in our Department – many of
whom may be from outside our immediate area, including internationally - have not had the
opportunity to interact directly with the Niitsitapi or Blackfoot Confederacy (Elders) nor are

2. really aware of the deep traditions that have long been buried by colonization. This,
unfortunately, continues to lend itself to ongoing marginalization and stereotyping.
Notwithstanding, the intent of this proposal is to promote public awareness using best
educational practices by sharing the amazing, yet at most times heart-breaking, story of our
indigenous people. As this is a pilot project, the intent is to initially extend an invitation to the
Niitsitapi or Blackfoot Confederacy Elders to come to share their oral traditions. To facilitate this
visit, steps would need to be undertaken to respect any guest protocol, which would require
funding for an appropriate gift or offering and refreshments. Also, funding may be required if the
elder(s) requires a helper(s), materials, space accommodation, and transportation. Due to the
variety of student and faculty schedules, as well as Elder(s) availability, it would be fortuitous to
initially make available two sessions on potentially different days and times – one time being at
least noon hour (12-1). Posters, emails, and in-class announcements will be used to publicize
these sessions, which will include a request for attendees to RSVP to ensure suitable and
available space accommodation. At the end of these interactive sessions, attendees will be asked
to take the time to fill out a questionnaire to assist in this becoming a permanent sharing of
knowledge and healing facilitated by our department and, ideally, to extend this interaction to
outside our local indigenous Confederacy.
I believe that this would be an amazing opportunity to harness this knowledge base and further
develop a solid platform of shared understanding and healing.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lorraine Stratkotter