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On a warm Monday morning in early June, colourful song and dance filled Central Library’s Patricia A. Whalen Performance Hall as Jared Tailfeathers was gifted a new name.To an audience of community members, Jared’s family, colleagues, and the public, Elder Clarence Wolfleg led a naming ceremony in the Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall. Following a smudge, the Elder put his hand on Jared’s head and told the story of Jared’s new name, first in Blackfoot, then English. For the first time, Jared heard his new name.“My name is Sikomh Komii, which means Calling Crane,” says Jared, Program Coordinator for Indigenous Placemaking at Calgary Public Library.In Blackfoot culture, a name is given when a person has done something worthy of note, or they also can get a name from an ancestor or relative who has passed on. A person can earn different names throughout their life, based on their accomplishments, spiritual transfers, and family history. Traditionally, Blackfoot people went by their one given name; the convention of first names and family names came from settlers.For Jared, who works as a facilitator, artist, and community connector, his first Blackfoot name reflects his extensive work in Indigenous arts and culture.“Your name is a way of telling you who you are, and telling other people who you are. It means you did something,” Jared says. “Or an Elder sees something powerful in that name and it connects with you.”“It’s a gift, and it’s supposed to represent gifts and strengths that I have and can share. It’s a powerful name that I have to do justice for, and so it’s a very important thing for me.”When Jared learned that Elder Clarence Wolfleg had a name for him, Jared felt it was important to share his naming ceremony with the public.“I’m half Indigenous, so half my family is always asking questions,” says Jared, whose late father was a member of the Blood Tribe, and whose mother has English and Scottish heritage. Jared grew up in Calgary, making regular visits to see his dad’s family on the Kainai Nation in southern Alberta.“I thought this was a good opportunity for me to participate in my traditions and help other people be educated and show them what a fairly standard ceremony for Indigenous people is like,” Jared says.In addition to educating others, Jared wanted to hold a public ceremony because for so many years, Indigenous people could not share their culture.“People need to remember that ceremonies like this were not allowed, they were outlawed, even less than 100 years ago,” Jared says.At the ceremony, Elder Clarence — whose own name is Miiksika’am, which means Red Crane — told the story behind Jared’s new name. Years ago, there was a camp of the Niitsitapi people, where Elder Clarence and other people were in ceremony for days, transferring knowledge and skills to the next generation.When it came time for the transfer of the last bundle, the people looked east and saw four cranes circling silently above. As the cranes spread out, one came down from the sky and called four times, and then the four cranes went in four directions. The last one gave a loud call as he came close.The people asked, “What does this mean?” Elder Clarence said it was important like a blessing, that the cranes were giving their consent that the transfer was good. Elder Clarence thought it was fitting to answer the blessing of the crane that came on that day, and to call Jared Sikomh Komii, meaning Calling Crane.Jared’s naming ceremony was held on June 3, as part of Calgary Public Library’s kickoff event for Indigenous History Month.“The Library has taken great steps in the last few years to really follow through with truth and reconciliation and education,” Jared says. “This was a special event for me personally, but it also meant a lot to be able to share it inside this lodge of education.”For Jared, who remembers feeling excited but nervous, the naming ceremony was a powerful way of showing him who he is.“Like most Indigenous people, I’ve felt sort of an identity crisis, especially being mixed, growing up feeling not white enough but not red enough,” he says.His new Blackfoot name is a step on an ongoing personal journey, of connecting with Blackfoot culture through language, arts, events, family, and community members.Jared hopes that other people embark on their own journeys, listening and learning from each other. He’s proud Calgary Public Library offers opportunities for everybody to do so, through Indigenous Placemaking, the Elders’ Guidance Circle, and new programs.“I hope that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people feel comfortable enough to talk to each other about things and to continue to ask questions of each other, hard questions and easy questions alike,” Jared says.“I encourage people to learn, to use the Library for what it’s supposed to be used for. You should learn about all of your neighbours. There’s so many people here, so many cultures and backgrounds, and there’s more similarities than differences.”
Read more about "Stories 'Ceremonies Like This Were Not Allowed' Jared Tailfeathers shares his naming ceremony with the Library community"Emily Firmston is an artist, educator, writer, and gigantic nerd. As a freelance artist, they've had their art used for logos, posters, mascots, movies, and more – but their most well-known works are the silly comics about video games they post to Tumblr.
Read more about "Emily Firmston"Al-Karim Khimji Committee Membership: Board Vice-Chair Term End: 2024 Al-Karim remembers the many hours he spent at Louise Riley, Shaganappi, and Signal Hill libraries as a child, reading books that allowed his imagination to wander. He loved getting lost in the story, language, and characters of the many books by Roald Dahl. Those early days of exploration and excitement at the Library were foundational to Al-Karim and his professional and volunteering journey. His appreciation for the Library further deepened as he began to understand the impact the Library has as a safe place of gathering, learning, and collaboration for all ages and members of the community. He looks forward to contributing to the Library's extensive programming and continuing the positive impact it has on the community.
Read more about "Al-Karim Khimji"The more reading a student does (whether it’s over the summer or during the school year), the more opportunity they have to build and strengthen their comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking skills, background knowledge and efficiency. Research has shown that children without summer reading and learning support may lose one to three months of the reading skills they built in the previous school year. This, in addition to a disrupted and stressful school year, might leave families wondering, how can we keep reading and learning this summer, while still having fun?Join the Ultimate Summer ChallengeBlast off to free summer fun with the Ultimate Summer Challenge at Calgary Public Library. Kids ages 0 – 12 can reach reading milestones, complete activities, and attend free interactive online programs. Those ages 13 – 17 can join the Teen Takeover. Registration automatically enters you to win prizes that are out of this world! Tracking your progress online helps you earn badges and qualify for weekly prizes.Sign up for Ultimate Summer ChallengeRead aloudA great way to expose kids to books that are slightly outside their range is by reading more difficult books aloud. Generally, it is good for kids to read things at their independent level and be read to at a higher level because it helps to build vocabulary and helps makes the listener a better reader.Do something unexpectedRead in unexpected places and ways, like a tent or around the campfire. Switch roles and have kids read to you at their bedtime!ListenListening to audiobooks counts as reading too! Listening to books can be a great way to immerse yourself in a series and can make a long car trip fly by. Download kids audiobooks for free with your Library card in our Digital Library.Browse audiobooksRead before you watchRead the book before you watch the movie. Why not start a family book club this summer and invite grandparents who live far away to read the book too? Check out great online videos of Canadian author readings and illustrator demos from the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.Go to Canadian Children’s Book CentreShare through a book swapKids love to read recommendations from friends. This summer ask a group of friends to bring three to five titles over for a book swap. Kids will ask each other about the books and you'll naturally get the same kind of conversations that go on in the classroom.Get recommendations from the LibraryNeed new ideas? The Library is always a good place to start looking for children’s books. Check out our recommended reads for summer.See the listThis blog post is published as part of The Kitchen Table Classroom: A Series to Support Learning from Home, a partnership with Edmonton Public Library. Visit our website for information on the next live, online workshop in the series and for more tips and tools to support learning from home.
Read more about "Stories Top Tips for Reading and Learning All Summer Long The Kitchen Table Classroom: Slide into Summer"Guide community walking tours designed to explore neighbourhoods using a script provided by Library staff. Walks are focused on civic art, history, or nature. Current walks include: Downtown Library Walking Tour, East Village; Downtown Library Walking Tour, Memorial Park; Memorial Park Historical Walking Tour.
Read more about "What will you do?"Book a one-on-one consultation The Newcomer Artist in Residence is pleased to consult with emerging and established artists of all ages to discuss technique, inspirations, style, or whatever aspect of the art world would be most helpful. Book your one-on-one consultation
Read more about "Book a one-on-one consultation"Find the support you need to succeed in school.
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Read more about "What is Engine 23? "Advance at work or start a new career with resume, interview, and networking advice.
Read more about "Job seekers"Explore Library Express, where you can find popular new titles, pick up your holds, and browse through books recommended by Library staff. Displays change regularly, including art exhibits.
Read more about "Return your books and then find your next great read."The Newcomer Artist in Residence is pleased to consult with emerging and established artists of all ages to discuss technique, inspirations, style, or whatever aspect of the art world would be most helpful.
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