SEEING
Program Elders and Liasions
It is integral for this program to be directed by Elders and cultural liasions. The following section provides a short biography about each of the Elders and liasions who are a foundational part of this partnership.
Alvine Wolfleg Eagle Speaker
Alvine Wolfleg Eagle Speaker is the oldest daughter of the late Mark Wolfleg Sr - Ninonista and Mary Margaret Wolfleg (nee Little Chief) - Kooma. She is from the saayiiks and piitohpikiiks.
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Alvine has been teaching for most of her work history employed by the Calgary Board of Education From February 2008 -retirement August 2016 employed by the Siksika Board of Education (Siksika High School & Siksika Outreach School). Alvine is one of the founders of the Piitoayis (Eagle Lodge School) which still exists today.
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Biography retrieved from:
https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/13/Research-Day-2019-Program.pdf
Clarence Wolfleg
Clarence’s Siksika name is “Miiksikaam,” translated as “Red Crane,” which is also his fourth great-grandfather’s name, who watched the east boundaries for many years back in the 1600s. When he went to boarding school the name given to him was “Clarence Victor Wolfleg “Agar”".
Clarence served close to 10 terms as councillor with the Siksika Nation with portfolios in land claims negotiations, intergovernmental affairs, policing, and child welfare.
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Clarence became a member of the Horn Society 17 years ago and was partner to a leaders bundle. He is also in the Brave Dog Society and was honored to be the pipe holder for Vimy Ridge Warrior Pipe in 2013.
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He was also a seven-year veteran of peacekeeping in the mid 1960s. Upon his return from peacekeeping he became a federal police officer and served 14 years as a special constable in the RCMP and in the province of Alberta. He was also chief of police for the Siksika Nation and worked for Corrections Canada for many years in the court programs.
Bio information retrieved from:
Darrell Breaker
Darrell Breaker is an Elder from Siksika Nation. Sii-poh-komii (Night Crawler) was born and raised into the Traditional Blackfoot Ways of Life, by his grandparents. He is a fourth generation farmer and rancher in Siksika. Together with his wife of 51 years, Rosemarie and Darrell raised 5 children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Today he is a school bus owner and contractor, a mentor with Aiskapimohkiiks, Siksika Justice Mediation Program, and cultural storyteller with Golden Hills School Division #75.
Joyce Doore
Joyce Doore is originally from the Blood Reserve. She graduated from the University of Calgary with Human Resources and has spent most of her career in the Oil and Gas sector. Joyce is currently employed as the HR Coordinator for Siksika Family Services. Joyce was instrumental in co-creating and directing the Ik ka nutsi Park Partnership. She has been employed with the Golden Hills School Division as a Siksika Liaison, serving two schools, Carseland Elementary School and Samuel Crowther Memorial Junior High School in Strathmore. Her role in the schools has been to incorporate Indigenous studies into the classroom and instill pride in our culture with our First Nation’s, Metis and Inuit children, by encouraging them to participate in activities that will motivate them to seek out and be more involved in their culture.
Norton Eagle Speaker
Alvine's loving husband, Norton Eagle Speaker Ahsopaamo- Spike Sr is the son of the late Clifford Eagle Speaker - Aanatsoiyikayi and Cecilia (nee Water Chief) - Pahtsikaikana. Norton worked with Alberta Child Welfare Services (Child Welfare Officer), Corrections of Canada (Correctional Officer), Chefs Assistant (University of Calgary), Seattle Police Services, Washington USA- Bank Guard/Long Shoreman Security, B & E Equipment Company- Seattle, Addiction Counsellor -Siksika, Siksika Crisis - Director, and Emergency Attendant/ Police Services - Kainai.
Alvine and Norton are life time members of the Siksi'kotsi'kinayiks (Blackfoot Horns) which is a very sacred society. They are now the grandparents of this society. Alvine, Soyipiiksaki, is a member of the Motokiiks (Buffalo Women Society). Today they are the Elders for the Siksika Outreach School, Elder component of Mount Royal University, Parks & Recreation, Siksika Social Services, Employment & Training, Siksika White Buffalo- Parenting Manual, Siksika Crisis, Siksika Health Services, Murder & Missing Indigenous Women of Canada, RCMP (Gleichen Detachment). Alvine and Norton are willing to assist anyone who is ambitious enough to continue teaching the Siksika language & way of life to be a reality again. They also do various workshops to assist our Siksika people to begin their healing/wellness journey to obtain the Siksika pride and harmony as our ancestors intended us to carry alongside their legacy and dreams. Alvine and Norton believe we need to live together in unity, harmony and love each other more in order for our youth to continue our dreams in the future.
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Biography retrieved from:
https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/13/Research-Day-2019-Program.pdf
Shirley Spotted Eagle
Shirley Spotted Eagle is from the Siksika Nation, Siksika Alberta. Shirley has her Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge. Shirley's work experience includes working in the human resources field and is currently employed as a Liaison with Golden Hills School Division. She works with two schools, Carseland and Samuel Crowther Memorial Junior High in Strathmore. As a Liaison, she provides assistance and school supports to Indigenous students and includes providing culture awareness and activities for the school. Shirley participates in powwows as a traditional dancer and enjoys cultural activities such as beading and native crafts.