(Southeast Alberta) - Indigenous peoples have a deep and enduring presence in southeast Alberta, with histories stretching back thousands of years. The region’s rich archaeological sites and cultural landmarks testify to the longstanding connection between Indigenous communities and the land.

Before the arrival of Europeans, our region was inhabited by various Indigenous groups including the Siksika (Blackfoot); Kainai (Blood); Piikani (Peigan); Stoney-Nakoda, Tsuut’ina (Sarcee); as well as the Cree, Sioux and the Saulteaux bands of the Ojibwa peoples and we acknowledge the traditional and unceded territories of our indigenous people and the Metis Nation. The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce honours and acknowledges the many traditional and unceded territories covering our native lands throughout Canada, that Inuit, Metis and first nations people call home and we are grateful for the land that has been care for and shared with us by the many people who came before us. 

The traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy extended from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the plains of present-day Alberta and Montana. In 1877, the Blackfoot Confederacy signed Treaty No. 7 with the Canadian Crown, a significant event in the region’s history. Archaeological evidence from sites like the Saamis Archaeological Site along Seven Persons Creek reveals that these communities engaged in bison hunting and utilized the land for living spaces, dating back to around AD 1500. Today, Medicine Hat continues to honour its Indigenous heritage through initiatives organized by the Miywasin Friendship Centre’s and Brenda Mercer, with White Horse Rider.

The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through ReconciliACTION. We recognize that as an employer, you can only encourage participation in commemorative activities on a statutory holiday, but you cannot dictate how the employee spends that day, as an employer cannot require employees to engage in specific activities on their personal time and any mandatory programming must occur during work hours if employees are expected to participate.

As such, the Chamber has chosen not to close as a Statutory holiday, but instead, our team chooses to invest the time into opening up mindful spaces for dialogue, discussion, unlearning and learning on this day. We choose to carry out our activities with intention. We also recognize that as we learn, we will make mistakes. We commit to owning those mistakes, and we commit to taking responsibility for them in ways that support. We are committed to action and justice, and as a shared endeavour, we aim to create a healthier, equitable and just future.

Our Chamber’s culture statement reflects our unique and thriving culture that embodies our core values and beliefs. We are open, approachable, and committed to listening to every member of our team, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. We don't tolerate disrespect or mistreatment, and we firmly believe in standing up for what's right. We remain open to new ideas, thrive on discussion and an openness to change, and are flexible, adaptable, and agile in our approach. We actively seek innovation and refuse to be stuck in our ways, always encouraging the exploration of new ideas. We actively seek out member input because we understand the value of diverse voices and are genuinely interested in supporting our members. We prioritize building strong relationships and remain solution-focused, continuously striving to make a difference and have a meaningful impact. Caring about each other and our community is at the heart of our culture, and we are united by our shared desire to learn and grow.  We value resiliency through tough times, supporting one another through our challenges. As we move forward, our goal is to become more courageous in our pursuit of excellence, shedding fear of reactions and responses in our relentless pursuit of growth and improvement.

The Indigenous history of Medicine Hat and southeastern Alberta is a tapestry of resilience, culture, and connection to the land. Engaging with these histories fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich Indigenous heritage and we are grateful for elders and knowledge keepers who help us to gain a deeper understanding of our heritage and history of our lands that we celebrate as we live, work and play in southeast Alberta. 

Please direct all media inquiries to:

Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce
Phone: (403) 527-5214 ext.225

The Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, volunteer-led organization, proudly representing the interests of businesses in our region, and working diligently to stimulate a strengthened and vibrant economy through our connections, support and influence. For over 125 years, the Chamber has stood for promoting business, monitoring government and championing managed growth in the local economy. The Chamber represents close to 900 businesses in our region and is aligned with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), which represents over 24,000 businesses, the Canadian Chambers of Commerce (CCC), which represents over 200,000 businesses and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), representing over 45 million companies in more than 170 countries. With the largest and most influential business organizations locally, provincially, federally and internationally, the Chamber network is the most unified, valued and influential business network in Canada and works together to shape policy and programs that will make a difference to businesses in our region.