Local students and families were invited to help paint a tipi at École Secondaire Highwood High School this week.
The tipi was transferred to the school by the Stoney Nakoda First Nation through Elder Keith Lefthand back in fall 2023.
Lefthand also came up with the design, which features mountains, stars, a horse, and flowers around the tipi's entrance.
"Keith Lefthand and his family and friends were part and parcel for the ceremonies. They came and had family dancing for that day as well, to raise the tipi... Keith guided us as to the painting itself," said Virginia Aldoff-Pinay, Cree Kokum for the Foothills School Division.
The painting process was coordinated by Highwood's carpentry teacher David Connell, and saw contributions from members of the United Church, Foothills School Division (FSD) trustee Theresa Letendre, and FSD's Director of Indigenous Learning & Equity, Charity Tegler.
The tipi will be raised for several upcoming occasions in May.
That includes at the school's second Indigenous graduation, and at the Okotoks & Siksika Nation Powwow.
"It would be nice for people to come and see the tipi and see the work that everyone has put in to make it part of the community," said Aldoff-Pinay. "Anyone is welcome, for sure."
