Ballet Beats Land Acknowledgement
With hand to heart, we recognize the traditional land holding us right now. Land rich in history, story, ceremony, resilience and beauty.
We honor the people who cared for this land we get to call home. The land our feet dance upon, the drum beat that moves our spirit. That we may stretch our arms wide as we have learned from Piita (Eagle), soaring with deep awareness in our hearts of just how sacred the Indigenous ways of knowing are.
That we may share this very breath. Inhaling recognition of the past, exhaling hope and reconciliation for the future. Breathing together, healing together.
Ballet Beats Calgary lives, breaths and dances on traditional Blackfoot Territory where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. In Blackfoot this area is called Moh’kinsstis, comprised of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the îethka Nakoda Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, Goodstoney), the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
Our community is far reaching and we honour the traditional land whenever we dance with a promise to know and learn the history of the land holding us wherever we land.
answering the calls to action
2022 - We had our first learning session with our Elder Sylvia Ann Fox, that was the start of our journey to learning and unlearning. To embodying and connecting with indigenous people, culture and history.
2023 - We hosted a Fundraiser called Dance for Denali to support an all Indigenous climbing group summiting Mount Denali. It gave us the opportunity to connect and dance with Indigenous people who once again shared story, song and ritual with our community.
2024 - We had a special zoom talk with our elder for National Truth and Reconciliation and brought a group of Ballet Beats students and teachers to a traditional sweat ceremony.
We have supported the Indian Residential School Survivor Society through fundraiser classes in Calgary and NYC and will continue down this path with the deepest gratitude for all that we are learning from Indigenous ways of knowing.
Next up, we will be hosting First Thunder Wellness' Land Based Yoga Training in January 2025! Kalyn just attended the inaugural one and was blown away by the work of Heidi Davis and Sylvia Ann Fox and can't wait to bring this experience to our community.
Our Elder - Sylvia Ann Fox
Sylvia Ann Fox - "Ii'stspansk'akee" “Singing alone from above” is the Traditional Wellness Coordinator at Chinook Regional Hospital. Prior to working for AHS, she was an addictions councillor and has worked with diverse members of the community. A proud member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Sylvia grew up on the Blood Reserve, connected to the earth and the traditional teachings. Sylvia is passionate about sharing traditional healing with patients and staff, and has supported countless groups with her prayer and calm manner. She carries the teachings of her grandparents and parents and is proud of the lessons she shares. Sylvia loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren, in ceremony; where she is a mountain "Miistaakii" bundle holder, and close to the river.