Pow wow held in honor of slain Siksika man part of Alberta reconciliation efforts | 24CA News
The city of Strathmore partnered with Siksika Nation to cohost the primary Lead by Example Powwow this weekend in Strathmore — a cultural celebration in honour of Kakato’si Kristian Ayoungman, who was shot to demise 4 years in the past.
Ayoungman excelled at every thing he set his thoughts to. He was a hockey participant, golfer and champion dancer.
Those who knew him stated he lead by instance.
“That’s exactly how he lived his life. He was a true leader,” stated his mom Melody Ayoungman-Hunt.
“Anything you put in front of him he surpassed. He was just one of those great, remarkable kids.”
On Saturday, a whole bunch of individuals gathered in Strathmore on the Lead by Example Powwow, a celebration in honor of Ayoungman.
His mom thought a pow wow can be a strategy to deliver collectively Strathmore locals and Siksika Nation residents. The city embraced the concept.
Ayoungman-Hunt was a part of the spectacular Grand Entry that included dancers from throughout Canada and the U.S., in addition to members of the RCMP and southern Alberta elected officers.
“I just felt so much love and so much connection and so much overwhelming gratitude for everyone that participated in making this day possible,” Ayoungman-Hunt stated.
“I’m filled with gratitude because everyone listened. Everyone pulled together in every way. This town of Strathmore took the time to learn with us. They got it and they are doing it.”
Strathmore’s mayor stated the pow wow is a vital step for the personal and full area’s reconciliation efforts.
“Strathmore was really blessed that Siksika Nation and Melodie — especially as the mother of a killed man — they wanted to use it as a catalyst to make positive change,” stated Pat Fule on Saturday.
Fule stated Ayoungman was a mentor and a job mannequin to youthful gamers and his demise had a huge impact on the group.
“As a former high school coach, I always followed the motto of ‘its deeds not words.’ It’s fine to do a land acknowledgment and to speak publicly about making things better, but unless you’re also doing the hard work to try to make things better, those are just words. This pow wow is a very powerful public show that we mean what we say here in Strathmore — when we want to make things better for our First Nations neighbours and friends,” Fule stated.
Ayoungman-Hunt stated it’s necessary to acknowledge that racism exists and to grasp the historical past of First Nations.
“We can talk and talk about making change, but actually doing something about it — that’s the bigger thing. I knew our boy’s memorial was going to be big, but this became bigger than we expected.”
“I know he would be proud of us with what we’re doing because what happened to him was wrong. He knows we are doing right by everything.”
Ayoungman, a former Strathmore Wheatland Kings participant was shot to demise on March 17 2019.
Brandon Giffen and his brother Kody Giffen, have been charged with first-degree homicide in Ayoungman’s demise.
Kody was sentenced to 4 years in jail on March 16, 2021, after pleading responsible to manslaughter in August 2020. Brandon was discovered responsible of manslaughter and acquitted of homicide.
The powwow continues on Sunday, March 19.
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