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spur Calgary Foundation fall 2019 Hub of Creativity cSPACE King Edward comes alive as our city’s arts incubator Home Base Giving people a way to build equity and stability Greening the Future Laying the groundwork for sustainability ‘Lighter and Brighter’ Martha Hart and the Owen Hart Foundation
Eva’s message
Shared Knowledge
WHETHER IT’S listening to and The article Shared Stories it can be used in the present and
learning from diverse perspec- (page 4) introduces Elizabeth taken into the future.
tives, or building partnerships Peters, our new board chair, who Sharing knowledge and
that encourage collaborative believes “communities are strong sharing stories has always been,
communities, Calgary Foun- because people share stories, and will forever be, the bond that
dation’s greatest asset is our time, passions and commitments. connects us.
knowledge of community needs. It’s what binds us.”
It’s a unique and treasured trait You’ll learn about the Ed-
that brings value to donors and to ucation & Lifelong Learning
the charitable sector we serve. committee members (page 6)
Knowledge expands, deep- who share their knowledge and
ens and enriches our collective valued perspectives as volun-
work in building a healthy and teers who support in a significant
vibrant community where ev- way our role as an effective
eryone belongs. But the value of grantmaker.
knowledge is only as great as it And you’ll discover a group of
is widely shared. Elders and Knowledge Keepers
In this issue, Martha Hart (page 18) whose shared vision “to
shares her story of honouring her climb a hill and look out to where
husband’s memory by helping we need to go” guides them in Eva Friesen
others over the past two decades promoting and preserving tradi- President & CEO,
through the Owen Hart Foundation. tional knowledge of the past so Calgary Foundation
In the spirit of reconciliation, Calgary Foundation acknowledges that we live, work and
play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani)
the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3)
and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
spur
Calgary Foundation Fall 2019 2019 – 2020
Board of Directors:
Media & Marketing Solutions
Chair
Elizabeth Peters President and CEO: Pete Graves Statements expressed herein
Vice Chair Eva Friesen Publisher: Pritha Kalar do not necessarily represent the
Murray Laverty President & CEO Editorial Director: Jill Foran views of the publisher.
Catherine (Kay) Best Taylor Barrie Managing Editor: Miles Durrie Copyright 2019 by RedPoint
Jim Brownlee VP, Communications Client Relations Manager: Media Group Inc. No part of this
Cathy Cochrane Natalie Morrison publication may be reproduced
Sherry Ferronato Janice Francey Art Director: David Willicome without the express written
John Fischer Communications Associate Graphic Designer: consent of the publisher.
Blaine Lennox Rebecca Middlebrook
Production Manager: 100, 1900 11 St. S.E.
Gregory Lohnes Calgary, AB T2G 3G2
Kahanoff Centre Mike Matovich
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Melanie McDonald Services Manager: Rob Kelly redpointmedia.ca
Calgary, AB T2G 1A1
Dr. Alykhan Nanji 403-802-7700 Staff Photographer: Jared Sych
Wes Peters Contributing writers:
calgaryfoundation.org
Published twice yearly by Calgary Foundation Patti Pon Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, Canadian Publications
in partnership with Phil Scherman Karen Rudolph Durrie, Mail Product Agreement
RedPoint Media & Marketing Solutions. Hugh Williamson Mike Fisher, Jennifer Friesen No. PM 40030911
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
2
contents
people
04 Shared Stories
Elizabeth Peters continues her family’s
legacy of community-building.
06 ‘A Collaborative
Approach’
Grant applicants are an inspiration for
the Education and Lifelong Learning
Committee.
08 Two Decades of Giving
For Martha Hart, the Owen Hart Foun-
dation is a powerful way to honour her
husband’s memory .
features
11 Opening Doors
Habitat for Humanity and NPower
are helping people take charge of
their futures.
14 Building a
Sustainable Future
The Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preser-
vation Society and Relay Education each
P.11
set a course for a greener future.
18 New Energy,
Traditional Knowledge
Youth and Elders are both strengthening
Indigenous ways of life through Seven-
Habitat for Humanity:
Gen and Knowledge Keepers Helpers.
building a sense
of belonging
22 Making Connections
The Longview Seniors’ new bus and
Green Shield Canada’s Six 4 Six program
connect people with important services.
26 Nurturing Creativity
From dance and theatre to writing,
painting and sculpture, all things
creative come alive at the cSPACE King
Edward arts incubator, a vibrant hub for
our city’s artistic community.
calgaryfoundation.org - 3
board member
“ It was always my grandfather’s belief that you had to give back to the
community that has given you so much. My mother followed in his footsteps
and so did we. It’s sort of morphed through the generations of my family.”
Elizabeth Peters is continuing a
family tradition of philanthropy.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
4
Shared Stories
Community involvement is a family affair for Elizabeth Peters
By Jennifer Friesen • Photography by Erin Brooke Burns
FOR ELIZABETH PETERS, shared stories make up in his footsteps and so did we. It’s sort of morphed through
the thread that runs though all of her years of volunteer the generations of my family.”
experience. The Galvin Family Fund was Peters’ first hands-on work
“When you get down to it, everything is about sharing with Calgary Foundation. Later, she joined the Foundation’s
stories,” says Peters, who heard this idea expressed by Environment Committee, where she spent six years review-
Blackfoot Elder Hutch Sitting Eagle at a Calgary Foundation ing grant proposals and visiting organizations to get a better
event earlier this year. “He said that sharing stories is what understanding of their work.
gives people a sense of belonging. I think community is Peters calls those first site visits “a profound experience,”
built on this idea, and communities are strong because peo- because it was the first time she really had the opportunity
ple share their stories, time, passions and commitments. It’s to get out into the community and see what was being done.
what binds us.” “When I was on the environmental grants committee, I
Peters took on the role of board chair for Calgary Founda- think the thing for me was seeing the number of people who
tion earlier this year, but her connection to the organization are so hands-on, boots on the ground,” she says. “People
started much earlier than that. making change in the areas they’re passionate about. And
Her grandparents, Ed and Frances Galvin, lived next that’s humbling, to have the privilege to be on a granting
door to the Harvie family when the Foundation was in its committee and appreciate the vision and dedication people
early stages. Eric Harvie was a well-known local philanthro- have for their community.”
pist who believed strongly in Calgary Foundation, and his Peters stayed involved with Calgary Foundation, joining
excitement jumped the fence into the Galvin family as well. the Board in 2013 and subsequently sitting on the Investment
Ed Galvin made an initial gift to the Foundation when Committee, which she eventually chaired, along with the
Frances passed away 25 years ago, establishing the Audit, Governance and Impact Investing committees.
Frances E. Galvin Fund. In 2005, it was expanded and Peters recently began her new role as Board chair for a
renamed the Galvin Family Fund. two-year term. She overlooks every aspect of how commit-
The family—including Peters, her mother and sisters and tees and the board run, and helps build consensus.
all of their children—remains engaged in keeping the Fund “It’s kind of like being inside the machine with perspec-
going strong. All 12 members decide which organizations tive on how all of the mechanics work together,” she says.
and community initiatives they will support through the It’s a new chapter in her Calgary Foundation story—and
donor-directed portion of the Fund. with every new chapter, she says her passion for the com-
Ed passed away in 2004, and Peters now lives in her munity “grows exponentially.”
grandparents’ house. As she walks through her kitchen, she “My grandfather was passionate about this organization,
smiles and points out an east-facing window. so I think he’d be pleased to see me now,” she says with a
“It all started because my grandparents used to talk over smile. “To think that 20-some years later I’m now chairing
that fence with the Harvie family,” she says. “It was always this philanthropic organization that started with a couple of
my grandfather’s belief that you had to give back to the guys like him. He would be pretty happy to see the family so
community that has given you so much. My mother followed actively involved with the Foundation.”
calgaryfoundation.org - 5
committee profile
‘A Collaborative Education and Lifelong Learning Committee members
are inspired by applicants’ passion
By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth • Photography by Jared Sych
IN 2013, WHEN HE WAS working That’s why the Foundation’s committee years. “The face-to-face meetings are
with The Immigrant Education Society, volunteers are so important. the joy of this volunteer work. It just
Noureddine Bouissoukrane applied The Education and Lifelong Learn- brings colour to the whole process.”
for a grant from Calgary Foundation to ing Committee is one of eight grant The 13 culturally diverse volunteer
start a project-management course for advisory committees that help decide members who make up the committee
newcomers seeking employment. His which applicants receive funding. include business experts in the field
application was successful, and the The process is similar for each of technology and communications
process left him impressed. committee. The Foundation staff first and leaders in the areas of arts,
In fact, the experience was so pos- reviews applications to ensure they education and the charitable sector,
itive that when one of Bouissoukrane’s meet eligibility criteria, with each com- like Bouissoukrane. Everyone brings
contacts suggested he interview for a mittee reviewing eight to 10 proposals. a different point of view to the table, so
position on the same committee that The Education and Lifelong Learn- some members will see potential in
had approved his proposal, he jumped ing Committee looks at a range of projects that others might overlook.
at the chance. In 2017, he joined the applications, from programs that con- Cochrane moved on to join the
Education and Lifelong Learning nect non-Indigenous children with their Calgary Foundation’s board of directors
Committee and is now responsible for counterparts in Indigenous schools this past spring, but has left the com-
helping other registered charities get to assistance for immigrant seniors mittee in good hands with new chair
the money they need to launch their seeking volunteer opportunities. The Amanda Koyama.
own community initiatives. committee meets with each applicant “We have amazing gender and
“With Calgary Foundation, it’s a very face to face, considers the projects cultural diversity with really intelligent
transparent collaborative approach, carefully then makes recommenda- minds and perspectives on that com-
which I love,” says Bouissoukrane, tions to the Grants Committee, which mittee,” Cochrane says. “Being able to
who is now manager of the cultural allocates the actual funding. consider the applications from multiple
brokerage program at the Calgary “It’s one thing to take a look at a lenses is really, really important.”
Catholic Immigration Society and chair proposal on paper when you’re reading
of the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre through it. It’s a completely different
board. “The decision on whether to give animal when you get to hear the passion
the money to an organization is always in people’s voices around the amazing
Education & Lifelong Learning Committee members, from left:
completely based on merit.” work that they’re doing in the commu-
Megan Marshall, Jessica Schneider, Noureddine Bouissoukrane,
Deciding which projects will receive nity,” says Cathy Cochrane, who was Justin Reti, outgoing chair Cathy Cochrane, and new chair George
Foundation funding is no small task, and chair of the Education and Lifelong Damian. Missing are Samantha First Charger, Dianne Goodman,
it requires a wide range of perspectives. Learning Committee for the past six Murray Laverty, Lorraine Pelletier and Zain Velji.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
6
Approach’
calgaryfoundation.org - 7
donor profile
“ Twenty years after
Owen’s death, I know the
foundation will always
have a sad beginning,
but it has become what I
envisioned—a celebration
of his amazing life.”
Caption
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
8
Two Decades
of Giving
Martha Hart draws on life experiences to help
others through the Owen Hart Foundation
By Mike Fisher • Photography by Jared Sych
M
ARTHA HART, founder attitude and leadership and also hold basic financial needs such as hotel,
and director of the down a part-time job. food and parking expenses is one of
Owen Hart Foundation, “As soon as I made that decision, many Hart has initiated.
remembers vividly the I set out to make the world lighter and The hospital, where she works as
moment when she knew her husband’s brighter,” says Hart, who continues to a University of Calgary researcher in
untimely death in a wrestling accident work in Calgary while travelling the paediatrics, is a special place for Hart.
would become an unstoppable force world on charitable missions. She earned two degrees at the U of C in
for doing good. She has done so with the help of her psychology and sociology before com-
She had sat alone in her kitchen at son Oje, 27, a lawyer with a focus on pleting her Master’s and PhD degrees at
twilight, the landscape disappearing human rights and international law, and the University of Cambridge in England.
into shadows as she cradled a phone in her daughter Athena, 23, a journalism Hart and Cumming School of
her hand, listening to her lawyer. graduate who supports animal rights. Medicine colleague Nicole Letourneau,
“I was going through a terrible A proud, active mom, Hart says her chil- under whom Hart did post-doctoral
wrongful death lawsuit after Owen had dren’s concerns inform her own work research, have developed a parenting
died,” Hart says. “I learned the justice I with the foundation. program entitled ATTACH that has
was seeking would have to come in the “The foundation is in Owen’s name, launched in Calgary to help vulnerable
form of a settlement rather than criminal but we do it as a family,” she says. families. The program is designed to
charges. In that moment—a millisecond, help parents affected by issues such
really—it came to me that I would start Difficult beginnings as mental health problems, addictions,
a foundation to make the world a better Hart and her 10 siblings grew up in family violence and poverty by improv-
place in his name.” Calgary’s Inglewood community during ing parental reflective functioning skills.
That was 20 years ago. Since then, a time when it was not as gentrified as “I work with a lot of individuals who
the Owen Hart Foundation, established it is today. Those early days continue are at risk and it means a lot to me that
at Calgary Foundation to honour her to influence her and drive her mission I can help them through my work and
late husband, has granted almost $2 to help others who need a hand up. research, as well as doing charitable
million to charitable organizations with “I was a poor kid,” she says. “Even works with the foundation,” Hart says.
a focus on education and poverty. then, I was sympathetic to people in
Of that amount, the Foundation has need and I always tried to give back. Signature programs
distributed more than $700,000 through The foundation has allowed me to be There are three Owen Hart Foundation
10 annual scholarships including awards more generous. It’s an opportunity to signature programs. First, the Owen
of $4,000 each to Calgary high school promote giving back to the community.” Hart Scholarship Fund covers awards
students who each have a minimum A program to help parents with kids offered at Calgary schools including
grade average but demonstrate effort, at the Alberta Children’s Hospital meet Forest Lawn, Western Canada, Ernest
calgaryfoundation.org - 9
Clockwise from top left: Students at Forest Lawn High School
receive awards from the Owen Hart Scholarship Fund; Jerry
Seinfeld is a featured performer at the annual Owen Hart
Foundation fundraiser; Dr. Martha Hart with children in Peru; Hart
at a school in Nepal; fundraiser performer Ringo Starr; Hart at a
school in Cambodia; fundraiser performer Elvis Costello.
great causes, so that we can expand
what we do with the foundation,” Hart
says. “It’s all about partnerships and get-
ting together to do good in the world.”
Ensuring that needy kids have
healthy lunches to eat at school is anoth-
er one of the many programs funded by
the foundation.
“You can’t concentrate on school
when you’re hungry,” says Hart. “We have
initiatives under the foundation’s umbrel-
la of education to ensure students have
the best possible opportunities to learn.”
Another program Hart is excited
about is the annual Backpack Giveaway,
which the foundation created and funds.
Working this year with the charitable
organization Alberta Computers for
Schools, the program provides comput-
ers to needy families along with filled
backpacks for back to school.
‘Truly a gift’
“
The foundation’s annual fundraiser,
I love the idea of collaborating with great causes, so that which brings top stars to the Southern
we can expand what we do with the foundation.” Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, is perhaps
its best-known event. Two performanc-
Manning, Crescent Heights and the importance of affordable housing es by comedian Jerry Seinfeld highlight
Sir Winston Churchill to recognize for families,” Hart says. “These are this year’s 20th anniversary lineup.
students who are motivated to improve problems that I lived, so I know how The mid-October event features a
their lives through education. important this kind of help can be.” celebrity online auction with prizes
Second, the Owen Hart Home Third, the Owen Hart Partner- including NFL, Grey Cup and Calgary
Owners Program, administered by ship Program joins forces with other Flames tickets, luxury vacations, WestJet
Momentum, a Calgary community worthwhile causes, which to date have vouchers, sport memorabilia and more.
economic development organization, exceeded more than 35 organizations. “Twenty years after Owen’s death,
offers people living in low-income situa- The main partnership is with the For I know the foundation will always have
tions the opportunity to save for a down the Love of Children Society with a sad beginning, but it has become
payment for a home. It also helps them which the foundation has done numer- what I envisioned—a celebration of
develop money-management skills with ous humanitarian trips in support of his amazing life,” says Hart. “I believe
an emphasis on home ownership. schools all over the world, including he would be very happy with what
“Growing up impoverished gave me Peru, India, Nepal, Kenya, Sri Lanka, we’ve accomplished so far. For me,
an understanding of the importance Cambodia, China and the Philippines. being able to help so many others, it
of having money for education and “I love the idea of collaborating with is truly a gift.”
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019 Elvis Costello photo by James O'Mara
10Opening Programs guide Calgarians
toward employment and
home ownership
Doors
by Karen Rudolph Durrie
The right opportunity at the right time
can make a life-changing difference
for a family or an individual. These
two organizations supported by
Calgary Foundation help take youth
and families from surviving to thriving
through employment training and
affordable housing.
Photo by Bryce Meyers calgaryfoundation.org - 11Previous page, clockwise
from top left: Analicia,
Garred Oishi, Claude, Bindja,
Muronyi, Josiah and Sierra.
opportunity, as Habitat breaks There’s no down payment; mort-
ground on its largest project in gage payments are interest-free
Southern Alberta to date, the and not more than 25 per cent of a
Silvercreek townhomes in the household’s monthly income.
community of Silver Springs. “All the families we meet are
Getting families into affordable working really hard but can’t
homes and easing their financial save for a down payment. We can
stress is Habitat’s role, says Gerrad change the trajectory of those
Oishi, the organization’s Southern families. Once they are in stable
Alberta president and CEO. housing, they thrive and the kids
Habitat For
“There are people in every part do better in school,” Oishi says.
of the city who struggle. Our aspi- Through their monthly pay-
ration is to have affordable housing ments, Silvercreek homeowners
Humanity
in every quadrant, close to where will build equity in their homes
people work.” and in their lives. The townhomes
Silvercreek will give 32 families will be an “amazing legacy proj-
T
the opportunity to be homeowners, ect” for Habitat and for Calgary at
and new residents will also boost large, Oishi says.
welve-year-old Silver Springs, whose population Silvercreek owners will likely
Muronyi sits has declined by 1,700 since 1982. find just what Claude and Analicia
astride his bicycle, “Over the course of the build, and their family found working on
laughing with other we will have thousands of volun- and living in the Pineridge Habitat
neighbourhood children on a teers come together. This changes development.
warm summer day in front of a a community,” Oishi says. “We got to meet a lot of people,
row of smart new homes in the The $9-million project is sup- as well as our neighbours, before
northeast Calgary community of ported by the province, the City we moved in. So it was a good
Pineridge. and donor organizations including experience that helped create a
Muronyi and his family— Calgary Foundation, as well as sense of community,” says Claude,
mother Analicia, father Claude private donors, faith groups and a construction worker. Analicia,
and siblings Josiah, 19, Sierra, corporations. an office administrator, says she
17, and Bindja, 15—moved into Silvercreek will feature four developed a new appreciation for
their new four-bedroom home two buildings with eight homes each. her husband’s profession.
years ago. The house was built The first will be completed before “I loved learning to use the
by Habitat for Humanity, and the the end of 2019. tools, and I learned what goes into
couple and eldest son Josiah put in Habitat works with applicant a home before the makeup goes
500 hours of sweat equity as part families to create a partnership on,” she says.
of the organization’s homeowner for each of the homes. Families Sitting in their bright, south-
agreement. must meet a set of qualifications, facing living room, Claude and
Soon, 32 more working fami- including a minimum annual Analicia say they’re grateful for
lies in Calgary will have the same employment income of $40,000. school stability for the kids, and
that the very social Muronyi has
developed many friendships.
“
“Being able to own a Habitat
Being able to own a Habitat home is good. You can say ‘it’s home is good. You can say ‘it’s
my house,’ and it gives you the opportunity to save for the my house,’ and it gives you the
future.” —homeowner Analicia opportunity to save for the future,”
Analicia says.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
12From left: Lisa Moon,
Aliza Adatia and Michelle
Rowland in NPower
Not standing out is something
Canada’s IT classroom.
participant Michelle Rowland, 29, can
relate to. With some post-secondary
under her belt, she had worked as a
nanny, a landscaper and a housekeep-
er, but also struggled with depression.
She felt she was just getting by,
unable to plan for the future.
Neither Adatia nor Rowland had
ever considered a career in IT, but
both have been surprised at how much
they enjoy the work.
“When I was considering it, I was
like, ‘I don’t know anything about
computers.’ And to my surprise I am
“ We’ve had incredible
success helping youth
launch their careers in
able understand things and keep up.
The way the program was developed
is very comprehensive, and I am
becoming a computer geek,” Adatia
the IT sector.” says with a laugh.
—Lisa Moon For Rowland, the program has
helped her build self-confidence and
find a healthier work-life balance,
and has given her the motivation to
learn despite what else is going on in
her life.
NPower Canada
“They do a good job of creating a
“We’ve had incredible success holistic approach that helps us get an
helping youth launch their careers in edge in the job market,” she says.
A
the IT sector,” says Lisa Moon, pro- The program includes two IT
liza Adatia sits caused a lot of applicants from the gram manager for NPower in Calgary. certifications, CompTIA A+ and Cisco
in a classroom oil and gas industry to apply for other “We know it’s one of the fastest-grow- IT Essentials, along with professional
in downtown jobs,” Adatia says. ing sectors in Canada. There are about and personal skills development.
Calgary with Being unemployed, she says, has 2,000 jobs in Calgary unfilled because NPower Canada replicates a real
41 other left her unable to help support her we don’t have a strong talent pipeline workplace, and the program boasts
young adults, laptop open in front of family, pursue higher education or with that skillset.” an 80 per cent employment rate for
her, listening to an instructor at the realize her full potential. So when With its 15-week Junior IT Analyst graduates.
front of the room. she heard about a new skills training program, NPower Canada offers a The initial group of students was a
Adatia, 25, moved to Calgary program called NPower Canada, she win-win proposition, training youth for great example of how NPower Canada
from Greece three years ago and leapt at the chance to apply. entry-level IT careers while fulfilling promotes its vision of diversity and
hasn’t been able to find work. She has NPower Canada offers no-cost IT an employment need in the city. inclusion in the workplace, Moon says,
experience as a hairstylist and an ESL skills training to people aged 18 to 29, NPower Canada has attracted a as NPower strove to build a group with
tutor, and she volunteers for a number focusing on low-income, Indigenous, number of employer partners, and gender parity that included new immi-
of charitable groups, but she’s faced newcomers, LGBTQ2S+ and young Moon often fields calls from business- grants and those from traditionally
barriers to securing a job. people with disabilities. es asking how they can be involved. equity-seeking communities.
“I think one of the reasons is that The program had its start in the “We rely on our employer partners “We are very proud of our first
I lack significant employability and United States in 2000. NPower Canada to let us know what the new trends cohort team, and they have been
interview skills and some of my certif- began in 2015 in greater Toronto, are in the industry and what they are open to accepting others who may
icates from Europe are not applicable and the Calgary location launched looking for, so we can prepare our be different from them. We want to
here. Also, the economic downturn has in May 2019. participants to stand out in a crowd.” continue in that vein.”
Photo by Rebecca Middlebrook calgaryfoundation.org - 13Building a Sustainable Future By Mike Fisher Educating the decision-makers of tomorrow about emerging clean technologies while protecting parklands for wildlife and recreation are two vital ways that Calgarians are creating a better city. Relay Education’s Capture the Wind workshops for elementary students and the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society’s study on the impact of road construction are leading the way to an environmentally friendly, sustainable future. Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019 14
Collecting baseline data on the
life within Weaselhead Flats and
North and South Glenmore parks
will provide a reference to gauge
the impact of road construction.
Weaselhead/Glenmore Park
Preservation Society
E
arly mornings are magical The grant has allowed the society to col-
times to be in Weaselhead lect critical data before road construction
Flats, when there are few started. The data will provide a baseline
people and the grass thrums against which to measure the impact of the
with wildlife. Lisa Dahlseide Elbow River valley section of the ring road,
turns and is startled by a deer that’s for- which began construction in late 2016 and
aging nearby. Birdcalls fill the air as the is slated to open to traffic in 2021.
deer watches her for a moment, blinks, “The data will allow us to meaningfully
then bounds away, leaving her smiling in compare ‘before’ and ‘after’ indicators,”
the dewy waist-high grass. Dahlseide says. Without baseline data it
Weaselhead Flats is a 237-hectare would be very difficult to make a causal
natural environment park that borders the connection between any observed changes
west end of the Glenmore Reservoir and and construction of the highway.
connects South Glenmore Park and North Should any negative impacts of the road
Glenmore Park. be revealed, the data will provide a firm
“Most Calgarians value having so basis for the implementation of mitigation
much green space in the city—and the measures, Dahlseide says. Efforts could
Weaselhead is unique, because you don’t include the installation of sound barriers
really feel like you’re in the city when and reduction in the use of road salt.
you’re there,” says Dahlseide, the interim “We’re hoping this study will help with
Southwest Calgary Ring Road Impact any mitigation efforts to the impacts of the
Study coordinator for the Weaselhead/ ring road, and be applied globally to other
Glenmore Park Preservation Society. road projects,” she says.
Dahlseide is part of a Calgary
Foundation-funded project to collect data A living classroom
on a suite of environmental and social The Weaselhead area acts as an outdoor
indicators in the area, including biodiversity classroom for 5,000 students annually,
and water quality. and is a beloved recreational destination
within the city for walking, bird watching,
kayaking and more. It teems with wildlife,
including white-tailed deer, coyotes, bob-
cats, river otters, weasels and even moose.
Dahlseide and her colleagues are mon-
itoring water quality and bioindicators such
as mayflies to determine potential environ-
mental impacts from road construction.
More study is needed to determine whether
any impacts can be attributed directly to
any particular process or group, she says.
The project has involved the com-
munity in various ways. With the help of
volunteers, more than 750 people were
Facing page: Rebecca Middlebrook; this page: Sally Dansereau calgaryfoundation.org - 15surveyed regarding their opinions about Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, Land
the ongoing management of the park area. Stewardship Centre, Alberta EcoTrust
“We’re involving the community as
much as we can because we know how
Foundation, SAIT, the Miistakis Institute
and the City of Calgary Parks Department.
Relay
much Calgarians value this parkland,”
Dahlseide says.
“It doesn’t matter what time of day,
people want to connect with nature,” Education
Some volunteers gained experience in
techniques such as vegetation sampling,
Dahlseide says. “They want to know their
drinking water is safe. They want to know helps students
water quality monitoring and bird counts.
The project was enhanced by the partici-
the plants and animals that make the park-
land experience are protected. We’re part capture the
pation of partners including the Friends of of making that happen.”
wind
I
t’s a cold, snowy day in
February, but inside a
bustling Calgary class-
room, Grade 5 kids are
warming to the concept
of renewable energy sources.
As workshop leader Rebecca
Swanson unpacks two cases filled
with small-scale working wind tur-
bines, box fans, circuit kits, alligator
“
clip wires, light bulbs and more,
We’re hoping this they’re learning hands-on how wind
study will help with turbines work.
mitigation efforts to “What’s great about teaching
wind energy is that it’s very tactile
the impacts of the ring for kids,” says Swanson, western
road, and be applied Canada manager of Relay Education.
globally to other road “They learn better when they can get
projects” their hands onto things, play with
—Lisa Dahlseide them and discuss it.”
Relay Education’s Kids World of
Energy and Renewable Energy Design
Challenges workshops support teach-
ers in meeting the Alberta education
curriculum. They provide real experi-
ences with renewable energy, allowing
students to design and build wind
turbines that generate electricity.
With the Capture the Wind
workshops, students use model wind
Constructs turbines to complete experiments that
hone skills such as data recording,
Wild Constructs is a series of six videos filmed in the Weaselhead, featuring the work calculating math problems and working
of local artists in response to the Southwest Calgary Ring Road construction. A Calgary in teams.
Foundation Strategic Opportunity Grant helped fund a video focusing on two young Today, Swanson has split the kids
Tsuut’ina artists. The videos made their public debut at Beakerhead earlier this fall. into groups of five. They create a
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
16“ These kids are the decision-makers of
tomorrow... If the kids have facts that are
grounded in science, it can help them make
decisions about energy.” —Rebecca Swanson
she expects increases in wind energy
and solar energy will lead to more jobs
in alternative energy resources.
Alberta is the third largest market
for wind energy in Canada, with more
than 900 wind turbines, says the
Canadian Wind Energy Association,
the voice of Canada’s wind energy
industry. Wind energy met approx-
imately seven per cent of Alberta’s
electricity demand in 2017, according
to Statistics Canada.
Calgary Foundation is supporting
Relay Education's Capture the the expansion of the Capture the
Wind workshops give young
Wind program in Calgary to at least
students hands-on experience
with wind power generation. March 2020. This school year, 750
kids in grades 4 to 6 will participate in
the renewable and sustainable energy
workshops. A portion of the grant
will fund the work Relay Education
is doing with Indigenous peoples to
bring their traditional knowledge into
some of the programming.
“We recognize that there are dif-
ferent teachings within First Nations,
and we want to ensure the proper
perspectives from within Alberta
are incorporated into our teaching,”
Swanson says.
After participating in the school
human chain, holding hands and then wind turbines set up on the floor, Careers of the future workshops, youth have the opportuni-
reaching out to touch items that may examining how they work and learning Educating kids about renewable energy ty to share their new knowledge with
or may not conduct electricity to keep the role of wind energy in creating sources can also help to prepare them family and friends, which is an import-
the electrical circuit going. renewable and sustainable power. for expected changes in the workforce. ant part in increasing the awareness
When one student grabs a wooden “These kids are the decision- With the anticipated surge in the of environmental issues that can lead
pencil, she learns that the circuit is makers of tomorrow,” says Swanson. adoption of electric cars, demands to a sustainable future.
broken. But if she were to just touch If the kids have facts that are grounded on the electrical grid will increase “Relay Education will continue to
the graphite in the pencil, explains in science, it can help them make de- rapidly, Swanson says. By building ensure that our workshops educate
Swanson, aha!, the electrical circuit cisions about energy. We want them understanding and engagement, there the next generation of youth in renew-
continues to flow. to see at the most basic level how the will ultimately be support for renewable able energy and energy conservation,”
The kids each work with six small technology works.” energy and energy conservation. And says Swanson.
Facing page: Rebecca Middlebrook; this page: courtesy Relay Education calgaryfoundation.org - 17New Energy, Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019 18
Facing page: Cory Beaver, left,
and Disa Crow Chief in front of
Kalum Teke Dan's YYC Bump mural,
photography by Erin Brooke Burns.
This page: Dr. Reg Crowshoe,
photography by Riley Brandt/
University of Calgary.
Traditional
Knowledge
Linking past and future to
strengthen Indigenous communities
By Mike Fisher
An important aspect of community is that all voices are
heard, regardless of age or background. Indigenous youth
in Calgary and area are taking bold steps as leaders who
promote action on energy and climate. Calgary-based Elders
and Knowledge Keepers are bettering their Indigenous
communities by, in effect, climbing a hill, looking out to where
they need to go and creating a strategic action plan.
calgaryfoundation.org - 19“ The name SevenGen came from a Native American prophecy
that speaks of the seventh generation being the ones to
lead and bring change, as a way to regain the agency that
Indigenous nations once had.” —Cory Beaver
The SevenGen Indige- Based on consultations with
nous Student Energy summit the summit organizing committee,
brought together 200 First partners and delegates, this year’s
Nations, Inuit and Métis gathering prepared recommendations
youth from every province for future editions of SevenGen. Among
and territory. The summit the recommendations, “it is crucial that
took place in January of this it be led by Indigenous youth who have
year in Calgary at the Grey control over the vision, program and
Eagle Resort and Casino. partnerships.”
“We want to protect Beaver and Crow Chief are consider-
Mother Earth, so our key ing holding another SevenGen summit
message was to encourage in 2020 or 2021.
more Indigenous young “The summit was created so that
leaders to become advo- we could all educate, empower and
cates to energy and environ- encourage each other,” Beaver says.
mental issues,” says Beaver, “I know the majority of the youth who
a member of the Stoney attended were very inspired and
Nakoda Nation in Morley, 63 grateful because they’d never had the
kilometres west of Calgary. opportunity to attend an energy sum-
The summit is recognized mit before, especially one that was
SevenGen
as one of the first of its kind ever—an hosted by Indigenous youth.”
energy summit led by a group of Beaver also attended another
S
Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth international Student Energy summit
tanding amid hundreds of partic- for Indigenous youth. in London, U.K., during the summer,
ipants from across Canada at the It focused on engaging Indigenous leading the first Indigenous youth
opening ceremony of SevenGen: youth to learn how they can lead in delegation in the program’s history.
Powering Resiliency Indigenous energy and climate action, so they “It is important for me to have more
Student Energy Summit, the first can have a positive impact in their Indigenous inclusion in spaces such as
Indigenous youth-led event of its own communities and in their future the Student Energy summits, especially
kind, Cory Beaver was overcome with careers, says Beaver, a Mount Royal in discussions about energy and climate
emotion. He couldn’t believe it was fi- University student. issues, because Indigenous people
nally happening. The idea he’d hatched were and are stewards of the land,”
with fellow Indigenous student Disa Looking ahead Beaver says.
Crow Chief two years earlier had taken Beaver and Crow Chief teamed up A delegate survey showed that the
root at an international student energy to create SevenGen after attending top reason for attending SevenGen was
summit and was in spectacular bloom. a Student Energy summit in Mexico to discover ways that the participants
Student Energy is a not-for-profit during 2017. could bring opportunities back to their
global charity that is focused on creating “The name SevenGen came from a communities. Respondents’ favourite
the next generation of energy leaders Native American prophecy that speaks part of the overall summit was the
who are committed to transitioning the of the seventh generation being the opening ceremony and the opportunity
world to a sustainable future. Beaver is ones to lead and bring change, as a to meet 200 Indigenous youth and allies
the SevenGen mentorship coordinator of way to regain the agency that Indige- from across the country.
student energy. nous nations once had,” Beaver says.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
20“ As a group, we are very interested in capturing
and promoting traditional knowledge and ways
of doing things.” —Dr. Reg Crowshoe
“As a group, we are very interested in cap-
turing and promoting traditional knowledge and
ways of doing things,” says the group’s action
plan. “For example, using appropriate protocols
to approach Elders. We want to preserve the
knowledge of the past, use it now in the pres-
ent, and take it with us into the future.”
A shortage of Elders
There are challenges. The plan notes that
currently in Calgary, there is an extreme Elder
shortage despite the high demand for their
knowledge and wisdom. There is also the obser-
vation that Elders are underutilized on reserves.
“As the Knowledge Keeper Helpers are
growing, and equally, interest in us is growing, we
want to appropriately define the manner in which
Knowledge Keepers Helpers our group develops with a particular focus on
reciprocal respect and trust,” says the plan.
Strategic Action Plan Elders Dr. Crowshoe and Rose Crowshoe are
T
utilizing funds from various sources to bring the
raditional Knowledge Keepers Keepers from the Treaty 7 area in creating the Elders together, including the United Way, City
are the foundation from whom Knowledge Keepers Helpers Strategic Action of Calgary Family & Community Support Services
First Nations traditions, customs, Plan—2018/19. and the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association.
spirituality and laws are taught. The group first came together in March “The most significant learning from this proj-
They hold Indigenous knowledge that has been 2017 to determine how Elders of all nations ect was that there is invaluable impact in doing
passed down from generation to generation. could work together in the Calgary area. this Action Plan as a group,” Dr. Crowshoe says.
Piikani Elders Dr. Reg Crowshoe and Rose “A positive result is that the creation of “It united voices and gave power to the
Crowshoe are leading a group of multi-nation, this plan reinforced the solidarity between the shared purpose of the group—which is to
Calgary-based Elders and Knowledge Keepers Knowledge Keeper Helpers Elders,” says Dr. ultimately help the Indigenous community in
who collaborated with Elders and Knowledge Crowshoe. “It provided increased affirmation Calgary and area heal and arrive at a place
that the work they are doing in the community is where they can help themselves as well as help
more needed and is more timely now than ever.” future generations.”
A Calgary Foundation grant supported the Sandra Sutter from Tarpon Energy invited
work of this group of 17 Elders. The Knowl- the Knowledge Keepers Helpers to hold their
edge Keeper Helpers is based on fundamental full-day meeting at her offices without any
actions, including existing as a support group costs to the group. John Fischer, director of
for Elders and Knowledge Keepers, sharing and the Iniskim Centre at Mount Royal University
building on traditional knowledge, supporting and co-chair of the Indigenous Gathering Place
others affected by residential schools and other board, did the same for the second meeting.
Top: Dr. Reg Crowshoe
cultural traumas and supporting cultural experi- By coming together to form the Action Plan,
and Rose Crowshoe;
right, Dr. Crowshoe ences for all with a special focus on youth. the Knowledge Keepers Helpers solidified the
speaks at a University How do the Knowledge Keeper Helpers need for action and reaffirmed they were on the
of Calgary event. answer the need of community? right path.
Top photo courtesy Rose Crowshoe calgaryfoundation.org - 21Making
Connections
Initiatives build community by supporting mental wellness
By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth • Photography by Rebecca Middlebrook
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
22From left: Longview Seniors board member and treasurer
Ann Davis, board members Coun. Len Kirk and Winnie
Hayden, resident David Wight, Longview Mayor Kathie
Wight, board members Michele Geistlinger and Doreen
Kirk, residents Gil Kidd and Emilie Williston, board secre-
tary Andrea Kidd and chair Ivor McCorquindale.
Longview Seniors
Wheelchair-
Accessible Bus
E
milie Williston
loves living in
Longview. She
treasures her
tight-knit circle
of neighbours, the beauty of
the surrounding foothills and
the peacefulness of her quiet
community, which is conve-
niently close to larger centres
like Black Diamond, Okotoks
and Calgary.
Convenient, that is, if you’re
able to drive. At 90 years
old, Williston no longer has
a car or a driver’s license—
and that’s a problem, since
Longview doesn’t have a full
grocery store, a bank, doctors’
offices or public transit. If she
can’t find an available relative
or neighbour to give her a ride
into the city, it costs her $175
in taxi fares to get to doctors’
appointments in Calgary.
“I love living here because
Supporting wellness requires a range of community building blocks, from I can go out to the post office
or the library, which is only five
forging a sense of belonging through meaningful connections with others to
minutes away,” Williston says.
the availability of foundational health professionals. The following two very “Other than the odd bear in
different initiatives support health and well-being in our communities. the autumn, I can walk around
and feel completely safe. It’s
a wonderful place for seniors,
except for this terrible problem
of transportation.”
calgaryfoundation.org - 23Williston isn’t alone in her Recognizing that transpor-
transportation woes. With a tation was an issue, both for
population of just over 300, group trips and for individuals
Longview is not a large com- like Williston, the group decid-
munity, but it does have a very ed to fundraise for the purchase
robust senior population—the of a 24-seat wheelchair-accessi-
median age according to the
2016 census is 51.6 years. In
ble bus of its own.
“Emilie is not the only
Green Shield
2015, local seniors banded one in our community who Canada Six 4 Six
program
together to form what is now a has this issue,” says Michele
very engaged seniors’ group, Geistlinger, a member of
S
with 118 members who get the seniors’ group’s board of
together twice weekly and oc- directors. “People don’t realize
casionally go on group outings. that when a senior is living in a uccessful companies know
small rural community, one of that being a good corporate
the things they dread the most citizen includes supporting the
“
is their driver’s licence test. If communities where they live,
It does us such good to get a day they fail that test, they might while looking to local organi-
out and see something different. have to move to a larger urban zations to guide their funding. Green Shield Canada,
area and away from everyone Canada’s only national not-for-profit health and dental
Now that we have the bus, it’s
they know.” benefits specialist, has long been dedicated to social
giving us all a new zest for life.” The group started fundrais- responsibility and charitable giving. In 2018, to mark
—Michele Geislinger ing in January 2018 and, with its 60th anniversary, Green Shield launched a new
the help of Calgary Foundation, collaborative giving program called Six 4 Six.
reached its goal of raising The Six 4 Six program is donating $6 million
$100,000 within a year. The to six community foundations across Canada to
total raised has now topped support local initiatives aimed at improving health
$160,000, enough to help pay for and well-being for all Canadians. It represents a
a coordinator who will sched- new collaborative model that’s all about community
ule regular trips to Calgary so partnerships. Calgary Foundation was selected as
that individual members of the one of the foundations to work with local community
group can plan any appoint- stakeholders to identify key initiatives in two areas:
ments in advance. The group oral health and mental health
is also planning to use the bus In Calgary, two projects that will benefit from
for trips to the theatre or to the the Six 4 Six program are the Alex Community Health
mountains, furthering oppor- Centre’s dental health bus and a mental health
tunities for important social navigator program that will work with patients at
connections. the Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic.
“It really is a godsend for us “Navigating the mental health system is really
older people,” Williston says. “It one of the biggest barriers our patients face,” says
does us such good to get a day Mosaic Clinic physician lead Dr. Annalee Coakley.
out and see something different. “After you’ve come from a traumatic experi-
Now that we have the bus, it’s ence, you’re not always very trusting. They need
giving us all a new zest for life.” somebody to take them by the hand and introduce
them to friendly services. They really need that
warm handover.”
That may mean referring refugees who may
not speak English and can lack numeracy or literacy
Michele Geistlinger (left) skills to psychological services as well as other agen-
and Emilie Williston. cies that will help them develop mental well-being.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
24“ Navigating the
mental health
system is really
one of the biggest
barriers our
patients face.”
—Dr. Annalee Coakley
These could include community kitchens, refugee Zahid Salman, Green Shield’s president and CEO, undertake, day in and day out, to bring unique
support groups and other activities that create a says he’s excited to see where these partnerships services to those in need of support,” Salman says.
sense of belonging. will go. “One of the most meaningful aspects of the “This helps us collectively build community
Local insights like these will drive the Six 4 Six program is the opportunity to put a spotlight on capacity, both locally and nationally. We look forward
program and ensure the funding has maximum impact. the incredible work that community organizations to seeing the Calgary-based projects unfold.”
Photo by Jared Sych calgaryfoundation.org - 25Nurturing
Creativity
cSPACE King Edward has
become a thriving venue and
incubator for the arts
By Jennifer Friesen
Calgary’s King Edward School building has been a community hub for more than a century, and
cSPACE is continuing that legacy. The organization reopened the renovated building in 2017, and today
it supports a community of artists who help make our city an exciting and creative place.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019
26“ I always knew this building would become a
new, incredible creative ecosystem... It’s truly
a living thing, an artistic coral reef filled with
colour and life.” —Deeter Schurig
Scenes from cSPACE: Facing page, the Imaginarium by Katie Green and Daniel J. Kirk.
This page, from top, Imago Theatre rehearsal, farmers’ market and Atelier Artista.
of Education closed its doors in from the very beginning and is now its
2001. A decade later, cSPACE general manager. “The needs of emerg-
Projects, with the support of ing and young creatives to support their
an impact investment from practices were not being met. We needed
Calgary Foundation, bought a portfolio of creation spaces that were
the building and started work affordable, accessible and sustainable.”
on the large-scale renovation Affordability was critical, Schurig says.
that would turn it into an arts “It’s the core part of our mission. If we’re
incubator for Calgary. not providing affordable, stable space for
The cSPACE team kept the our tenants then we’ve missed the first re-
B
integrity of the 47,500-square- sponsibility of what we wanted to achieve.”
efore the century-old King foot school intact (complete with the Following the opening in 2017, cSPACE
Edward School was reborn as original brick and blackboards) but added King Edward has evolved to include
the arts hub it is today, Deeter a modern wing that provides theatre space, creative enterprise by supporting artists
Schurig saw its potential as a and updated utilities to make it accessible through its coffee shop and galleries, and
vital centre of creativity within the city. and environmentally responsible. has brought in a farmers’ market every
“I always knew this building would The building’s occupants are artistic or- Saturday on the south-facing lawn.
become a new, incredible creative ecosys- ganizations from every discipline, from film “We wanted to make the building into
tem,” he says. “It’s truly a living thing, an and dance to painting, theatre and more, an invitation,” Schurig says. “We wanted
artistic coral reef filled with colour and life.” and cSPACE offers them subsidized space. people to see that there’s something unique
The colossal sandstone building at 1721 “In Calgary, there have always been and authentic and interesting inside.”
29 Ave. S.W. was completed in 1912 and op- pressures around property development,” Following is a look at some of the
erated as a school until the Calgary Board says Schurig, who has been with cSPACE organizations now thriving at cSPACE.
Photos courtesy cSpace calgaryfoundation.org - 27Dancers’
Studio West
D
ancers’ Studio “We’re not even fully moved in
West was an yet; we still need furniture,” she
Alberta first. says with a laugh. “But there’s
Created in 1980 already a difference in being in a
as a way to foster a community for physical space that has so much
Alberta dancers, the organization community. I see a lot of potential
was the only contemporary dance for new work to emerge.”
presenter in Calgary for 25 years. By offering funded mentorships
Over the last decade, Dancers’ and residency programs, the studio
Studio West has shifted its focus is working to allow dancers to
away from dance presentation. expand their artistry and skills.
Offering workshops, research labs, The organization continues to
technique classes and artist-in- launch “firsts” for the province,
residence programs, the organization and next May it will present the
now concentrates on professional inaugural Quick+Dirty: A Festival of
development for dance artists, says Emerging Choreographers and Ideas,
artistic director Sasha Ivanochko. which will be presented at cSPACE.
“We’re looking to support “It’s designed to support first
somebody’s practice and not just works and risk-taking,” Ivanochko
one piece,” Ivanochko says. “We’re says. “We want to allow artists to
supporting the evolution of contem- explore new ideas and styles that
porary dance practices in Alberta.” reflect this community and this
Ivanochko took the reins of the place—because we want to chal-
studio last August after years spent lenge assumptions of the art form
teaching and performing across the and what it can do.
country. “Having opportunities to see
“Any thinker needs to have a wide variety of ways that dance Meghann Michalsky
something to bump up against can be done broadens one’s mind performs her piece,
Megma, which
to sharpen their own ideas,” she and one’s community,” she says. “It
premiered at the
says. “So Dancers’ Studio West has changes culture, which is awesome. 2018 annual Alberta
taken on the challenge of creating There are more people presenting Dance Festival.
opportunities for an exchange of and self-presenting in Alberta now,
ideas and knowledge to generate and we want to support those
different stimuli for participants in emerging artists.”
our programming.”
The organization moved into
cSPACE King Edward this past spring,
“
after years without having a home
base. Ivanochko describes her There’s already a difference in being in a physical space
organization as an “incubator of new that has so much community. I see a lot of potential for
ideas and experimental work,” which new work to emerge.” —Sasha Ivanochko
echoes the mandate of the overall
cSPACE facility.
Calgary Foundation | Fall 2019 This page: Andre Goulet, Roberto Lacovissi; opposite page, clockwise: JodiO Photography; courtesy Springboard Performance; Ali Bryan
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