The Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan has had a busy year.
After being formed in the summer, the group has been trying to get their name out in the community, from hosting ribbon skirt classes to handing out free bannock at last month's Light Up! ceremony.
"It's going good, we're moving along quickly," said Colleen Dollfusz, one of the co-founders of the society. "There is a lot of community support through the City of Fort Saskatchewan itself helping us out doing a few activities around town."
The hardest thing about starting a society such as this one is often getting the word out. While there is still hope more people can find out about the indigenous society, early returns have been encouraging.
"We're trying to do all the small, little events so people can become aware that we are around because we are so new," said Dollfusz. "A little bit bigger following on our Facebook page...it would be nice to build up [the Facebook Page] a little more so people are more aware."
"It's been three months since we've been in the community and doing activities."
Now that 2022 is about to come to a close, all eyes are on what the Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan has planned for 2023.
"In January and the new year, we are going to try to touch every school in our community with the Moose Hide campaign cards," said Dollfusz.
The Moose Hide Campaign has been around since about 2011 and involves wearing a piece of moose hide, whether it be real or synthetic, to show support for ending violence against women and children.
The hope is that the Indigenous society can bring the campaign to the community.
"I'm going to order [moose-hide pins] for all the schools so that they can give them to the student body and staff," said Dollfusz.
The next event that the society is planning is on Wednesday (Dec. 21) which is a gathering at West River's Edge.
More information on the Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan can be found on their Facebook page here.