On Feb 13, 2023, our member Cam Stewart was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contributions to serve Alberta and your community. This is icing on the cake after RI's People of Action - Champions of Inclusion Award. Cam Stewart has been active in diversity, inclusion, and human rights for more than two decades, with a particular focus on Indigenous inclusion. He founded and chairs District 5360’s Indigenous Relations Committee, which is unique within Rotary because its members include Indigenous, non-Rotarian leaders. The committee, which reports to the District Governor, ensures that Indigenous issues and people are a priority. It received a district grant for the Indigenous Community Action Project to address some calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. This project creates opportunities for Rotary clubs and Indigenous organizations to identify community issues, brainstorm solutions, develop initiatives, and take action together. Stewart provides resources for clubs to learn about DEI issues related to Indigenous peoples and organizes events where people can meet, learn, celebrate, and build relationships. He also arranges for Elders or other keepers of knowledge to participate in Rotary events. Stewart has been honored with an eagle feather and a pipe from Elder Doreen Spence and was given the Blackfoot name Mikostahpinukum (Red Morning) by Elder Herman Yellow Old Woman.

Three young leaders gave presentations at our club on January 19th. Luke Mendonca and Kaleb Langton attended the Rotary Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp at Eagle's Nest Ranch in the Cypress Hills in August and shared their experiences. They were two of 58 campers supported by 10 leaders and 24 volunteers who learned hands on about entrepreneurship. In teams, they developed business plans, got loans from teams of bankers, and created their products. At the conclusion of the Business Day, when families came to pick up their campers, all the loans were repaid with interest and fees. Each camper went home with $20 to $120 and some teams made donations to charity on top of that. 

 

Eve Pigat attended the Zone Interact Convention sponsored by the Rotary Club of Calgary East in October. The four day convention was attended by over 50 Interact members from Districts across Canada and the United States. Speakers included Rotary leaders like RI Director Drew Kessler and RI Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vice Chair Brian Rusch. Eve really enjoyed the program and meeting Interactors from across the Zone.