Business
Suncor Welcomes a Sacred Space for All People
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 10, 2023 / Suncor's Calgary headquarters, known as Mohkin...
About this update from Suncor Energy Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Suncor Welcomes a Sacred Space for All PeopleNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 10, 2023 / Suncor's Calgary headquarters, known as Mohkinstsis in Blackfoot, held a groundbreaking ceremony unveiling the first-of-its-kind smudge and ceremonial room within the Suncor Energy Centre (SEC) in September. The initiative was led by Suncor's Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (IYAC) and supported by internal and external teams including Suncor's Indigenous Relations and facilities; Brookfield Properties, the owners of the SEC building; and the Calgary Fire Department. The Sacred Space marks a significant step toward cultural inclusivity and respect within the corporate setting. Learn more about our work with Indigenous communities here.Smudging is a traditional Indigenous ritual that involves burning sacred medicines, such as sweetgrass, sage, and tobacco and cedar to cleanse and purify a space or person's energy and for prayer. There are smudge-friendly spaces and reflection rooms across other Suncor sites, including at the Sarnia refinery and Fort Hills.Kainai Elder, \"Sorrel Horse\", Casey EagleSpeaker from the Kainai (Gaa-nah) First Nation in southern Alberta led the ceremony, which included a prayer, songs and a smudge. \"This space is not only for Indigenous people, but for all people to use for prayer and smudge in their way to start their day off with peace and stability.\"It was during the ceremony that Elder Casey gifted the room with the name Kahnaatahpii Moyis, which means All Peoples' Lodge in Blackfoot.The idea of a sacred space in SEC came from an IYAC member Kahenientha Cross, while attending a meeting that started with a smudge at a smudge-friendly room at the Calgary Public Library. After the smudge, the member asked why Suncor didn't have a smudge-friendly space in its Calgary office. Sylvie Tran, VP EH&S - Operational Risk Management, who meets with IYAC regularly as a Suncor Energy Foundation board member, wondered the same and she knew she had the right team to make it happen.\"One of the first things we needed to do to convert the space was a risk assessment for fire, odor or smoke,\" says Sylvie. \"My team came together and shared their areas of expertise to support the project.\"Working with IYAC and Indigenous Relations, the facilities team transformed a meeting room into an area for Indigenous people and ...