Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living mini-forest receives its Blackfoot name: Pokitso'wa'ssko

In September 2023, the Calgary Climate Hub partnered with the Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living to plant a small but mighty mini-forest in SW Calgary. Mobilizing over 70 volunteers over two days, the planting event brought together Indigenous Elders, permaculture experts, landscaping professionals and community members to bring life to this new place of natural beauty.

Volunteers at the CCSL Mini-forest planting event, September 2023. Photo by Albert Woo.

One year later, the Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living hosted a follow-up event with an important task - to accept an official Blackfoot name, bestowed upon it by Elder Dr. Clarence V. Wolfleg. 

Naming practices for both places and people in Indigenous cultures differ from colonial Canadian culture. Indigenous peoples often are gifted a name in a special ceremony. Places can also be gifted a name that is descriptive, communicating a place’s purpose, history or spiritual significance.

After offering some wisdom and teachings on the importance of names in Blackfoot culture, Elder Wolfleg led the ceremony to bestow the name upon our mini-forest. That name:

Pokitso'wa'ssko : 'Tiny beautiful place'

The attendees gathered for the event celebrated the naming ceremony with a potluck social involving members of the Calgary Centre for Spiritual living community, organizers and volunteers from the planting event, and other representatives of the local community.

We all look forward to watching Pokitso'wa'ssko grow in the coming years, and we thank Elder Wolfleg for his generous effort in leading the naming ceremony and granting our mini-forest it's name.

Please enjoy these photos from the event - including the new sign commemorating Pokitso'wa'ssko and the efforts of all people who came together to bring it to life.

Biography:

Dr Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (Agar) is from the Siksika Nation. His traditional name, Miiksika'am, translates to “Red Crane.” This traditional Siksika name was also his fourth great grandfather’s name, who watched their eastern Siksika boundaries for many years back in the late 1700s.

Clarence attended the Old Sun Indian Residential School in Siksika and was registered by the name Agar Wolfleg. He later used his correct name, Clarence Victor Wolfleg, which came from his god father, a Siksika Chief named Chief Clarence McHugh. Clarence McHugh’s wife’s name was Victoria.

In 2013, Clarence finished his last term with Siksika Nation Chief & Council. He was elected for ten terms as a member of Siksika Council and served under many Siksika chiefs.

Biography excerpt originally from Calgary Public Library - Elders Guidance Circle webpage

Article content written and compiled by Daniel Smithies