Wood’s Homes, an Alberta based non-profit that focuses on youth wellness, family dynamics, and offers foster services, community group care, housing services and more. Wood’s Homes was founded in 1914, and has locations in Calgary, their main hub in Lethbridge, Strathmore, and even northern Alberta spots like Grand Prairie.
Wood’s Homes is also deeply entrenched in Indigenous culture. Their Indigenous initiatives are guided by traditional protocols, ceremony, and relationships with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
Two years ago, the Indigenous Initiative Team at Wood’s Homes worked alongside Blackfoot language programs, and with the help of Dr. Littlebear of the Kainai Nation, they were able to collaborate with elders, and participate in ceremony to receive a Blackfoot name.
They were transferred the name “Ispoomstoyis” which translates as a home or dwelling that offers help and support.
We connected with Davina Firstrider, a clinician and the Indigenous Wellness Family Coordinator to chat about the logo’s unveiling.
She feels that Wood’s Homes has been a step ahead in terms of engagement in Indigenous culture, which they feel is a benefit clinically and with relationship building, and Wood’s Homes points to their family centered programs and family friendly environment as a factor for the building of trust with the Indigenous population
She wanted to point out that its not often you have western organizations willing to be so involved in bringing their traditional name alive, and actively participated in the ceremony and journey. They are very proud of who their traditional language making such an impact.
We asked Davina about how they decided on the logo, and how they knew it was time to unveil it.
We asked about their relationship with the Indigenous population right now.
Davina talks about how their relationship with Indigenous clients is evolving.
She also speaks on the relationship between Wood’s Homes and the Blackfoot Confederacy.
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