Tsuut’ina Nation is hosting a massive back-to-school BBQ and you won’t want to miss it

The Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut'ina Nation. Photo by: Benjamin Gerow

The Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre will be bustling from 10am-3pm, Friday August 28th for Tsuut’ina’s Back-To-School community event. A big BBQ, live entertainment from Redfoot and more awaits attendees, and school aged families will receive back to school supplies, backpacks and new clothing, courtesy of the Markin K Kossowski Foundation for Hope, who provided brand new clothing and school supplies.

The Markin K Kossowski Foundation For Hope is a privately funded NGO who’s goal is to empower individuals through mental-health focused programs, addiction recovery and community development. The foundation is a year or so old, with a focus on “Keeping Alberta Warm”.

This massive event isn’t just for new backpacks though. Free food, clothing, bussing registration, family activities and community information booths will all be out at the The Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre tomorrow. The Back-to-School BBQ will also feature live entertainment from Redfoot and guests. The event is free for Nation residents and their families.

We got to chat with Krzystof Kossowski and Kerry Markin, founding directors of the Markin K Kossowski Foundation For Hope, and asked about how they got involved with the Back-To-School event.

We also asked about what exactly is being donated.

We then got to chat with Garrett, a program coordinator with the Tsuut’ina Wellness Program, and asked about the importance of starting students off on the right foot.

And last but not least, we got to chat with Zachary Manywounds, a counselor with the Nation, and asked about more details regarding the day.

Zachary talked to us about educational success on the Nation in recent years.

We asked Zachary about how it feels as an Indigenous person, to be able to provide supports to the Indigenous youth and their families, and how it feels to provide kids with an opportunity that wouldn’t have existed in the past. Zachary also shared a bit about himself, and his story.