Elders in Residence
Elders in Residence
Elders from the Indigenous community are on campus each week to share knowledge and traditional practices, to offer guidance and support, for story telling, cultural teaching and spiritual mentoring. Indigenous Elder support is available to any University of Lethbridge student, staff or faculty from any culture.
While on campus, the Elders can be found in the Carolla (Napiakii) Calf Robe Elders and Ceremony Room in A430 (University Hall) next to the Tatsikiistamik (Middle Bull) Lounge, or in the Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Gathering Centre in W650 (University Hall/Centre for the Arts).
For more information email elders.residence@uleth.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three designated Elders-in-Residence who come to campus on specific dates each month. Please see the schedule for more information.
If there is an issue with the calendar or link, please email elders.residence@uleth.ca or contact Santanita Oka (sant.oka@uleth.ca) or Jodie Flamand-Tailfeathers (jodie.flamand@uleth.ca).
If you are looking for assistance reaching out to an Elder for an event or classroom visit, the Iikaisskini Indigenous Services team is happy to work with you to facilitate that request. The Elder should receive as much advance notice as possible — at minimum two weeks, preferably one month.
Depending on the event or services required, the standard honorarium for an Elder is $300 plus $75 travel reimbursement.
It is acceptable to give cash or pay by cheque. It is important that the honorarium is given to the Elder on the day of the event or service. It is also customary to offer a symbolic gesture of appreciation such as sweetgrass or tobacco.
For more information, visit the Indigenous Protocol Handbook.
Traditional Blackfoot gifts include sweetgrass, tobacco and blankets. These can be purchased at a smoke and tobacco shop.
Some suggestions:
Club Cigar Store ( 301 5 St S, Lethbridge)
Josee's Handmade Imports (412 1 Ave S, Lethbridge) for sweetgrass