Edmonton is filled with stories, people, groups and organizations that are all committed to enlivening and enhancing our community. Below you will find some community connections and interesting tales from your neighbours! Edmonton’s heritage is widespread and diverse, and there’s no end to the number of connections that can be made.
“In 1965 a bunch of local North Glenora kids decided to explore a new game that was being introduced called “Lacrosse“. It looked fun, and we thought about giving it a try. It turned out that through lacrosse we bonded as friends and as a team dedicated to a sport in which we learned to love. We had no gameboys, no Xbox, and our virtual reality was catching and throwing a ball and the skills that came with it and to learn to play physically. Over the years, the team became even closer, and through road trips and competitions, the bonds increased to the point that even 50+ years later, we still get together and still talk about the great times we experienced. So you might say that lacrosse was one of the best things in our lives.”
—John “Shoes” South, Goalie for the North Glenora Junior B Lacrosse Team
In 2017, the Ontario Superior Court ruled in favour of Sixties Scoop survivors, finding that the federal government did not take adequate steps to protect their cultural identity when they were taken from their homes. Seeing this, Adam North Peigan grew determined to have the Provincial Government of Alberta issue an apology for its role in the Sixties Scoop.
The initiative started in his basement, where a letter writing campaign was launched. Almost immediately he found numerous other survivors and allies who wanted to help.
From that campaign, the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta (SSISA) blossomed and was officially incorporated on April 18th, 2017.
Since 2022, the society has been delivering a workshop titled ‘What was lost’. This experiential exercise has been created as a joint effort between the society and the Government of Alberta that allows participants to stand in the shoes of a survivor to better understand their story. This workshop is currently only offered to Child and Family Services, but there are ongoing discussions on implementation with the Edmonton Police Service, Alberta Health Services and the Alberta BAR Association.
The work of the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta is ongoing. The society focuses on sharing knowledge and life experiences of the Sixties Scoop and offers information sessions, workshops, exhibits and has even produced documentaries with perspectives from survivors.