Transitional Story

The Name of Our Strategy

The Blackfoot name of the Indigenous Strategy, ii’ taa’poh’to’p, was bestowed and transferred in a ceremony by Kainai Elder Andy Black Water [Aa tso towa] on June 21, 2017. The name signifies a place to rejuvenate and re-energize during a journey. Traditionally, these places are recognized as safe, caring, and restful—and they offer renewed energy for an impending journey. In a traditional naming ceremony, transitioning to the new name is a journey of transformation toward self-actualization.

The University of Calgary needed a Blackfoot term to express the strategy in the name ii’ taa’poh’to’p. The university itself, that’s your destiny, but it’s not your final destiny, perhaps to some. Mostly, you go there to rejuvenate yourself, to replenish yourself, to educate yourself. Our young people will go there with the idea and the notion I am going to be going there to do something for myself that is going to impact on my life and whoever is involved with me in their life too. That is taking you to your final journey in life to establish yourself.

Kainai Elder Andy Black Water [Aa tso towa]