Renaming of Hope Homes for Aboriginal Youth
Elder Florence L. Yaholnitsky, McMan Staff April Tucker, Elder Jeffery Yellow Fly, and Sidney Gill
NARDEI VP Craig Magas, employee Harland Severite, and President Brian Kargus presenting the custom firepit for Wicihotowin
McMan Calgary & Area is proud to announce the program formally known as Hope Homes for Aboriginal Youth has been renamed Wicihitowin. Wicihitowin (phonetic spelling: Wi-Chi-Hi-Towin) is a Cree word that means “to help mutually” and “the act of helping one another.” Connected to three other Cree words that mean love, empathy and kindness for all living beings, Wicihitowin can also be said in reference to the mutual assistance and respect between land and people.
On November 3rd McMan hosted a traditional naming ceremony where elders Florence L. Yaholnitsky and Jeffery Yellow Fly blessed the program and shared the new name. Sidney Gill performed two traditional songs to commemorate this special event.
We would like to specially thank Nardei Fabricators Ltd. who donated a custom fire pit to the program.
Thank you to all who attended this event in person and virtually. McMan is committed in ensuring Wicihitowin is a holistic space of healing rooted in Indigenous cultures and values. We are proud to now have a program name that aligns with the Indigenous values embedded into the program.
