Over the past 5 years, Somerville has developed very close relationships with many amazing members of Saddle Lake Cree Nation including Elder Stewart Steinhauer - a granite carver who shares Indigenous knowledge and petroglyph teachings through his breathtaking sculptures. www.stonesculpture.ca SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE GRASS ROOTS ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS Somerville is grateful to have developed meaningful INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY INITIATIVES relationships with many First Nations and Tribal Above all, Somerville believes in supporting and Councils across Canada. I have been honoured to be funding innovative grass root Indigenous community welcomed by so many communities to take part in initiatives that address Intergenerational Trauma. many culturally significant practices such as Pipe Somerville has funded monthly Trauma Responsive Ceremonies, Sweat Lodges, Round Dances, Education training sessions provided by Melanie PowWow’s and even a very special Totem Pole Lizotte in several First Nation schools and unveiling ceremony at Skawahlook First Nation organizations in Western Canada. (Sq’ewa:lxw) in BC, which celebrated the work of Coast Salish wood carver, George Price. This program teaches students, teachers, and administrators about the neurobiology of trauma and In addition to providing procurement and employment shares innovative strategies to address and heal from opportunities, Somerville has engaged in economic intergenerational trauma. Somerville also funds partnerships with many First Nations to ensure that supplies and equipment related to helping students benefits from Somerville’s projects provide financial learn to regulate their stress response system. benefit back to Indigenous communities. Examples include traditional Indigenous drum building workshops for all students, desk bikes for INSPIRING EMPLOYEES every classroom, and pulse oximeters for every One of Somerville’s inspirational Indigenous student. employees is Gordy Cardinal who has worked for Somerville in various capacities including Straw and Somerville also funded a drumming exchange Foreman since 2007. Gordy had this to say: “The between Somerville staff (Nigerian and Fijian person at Somerville who has mentored me the most drummers) and students from Saddle Lake Cree and had the biggest impact is Pete deKoning who I Nation, which is another example of innovative worked with on 3 projects and who was always a team programming that Somerville funds. player with high standards and an overall great person.” PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR INDIGENOUS Somerville wishes to extend our sincere ENGAGEMENT 21 appreciation to Gordy for his significant 2 contribution and leadership. Another innovative Indigenous initiative at 0 E Somerville, is the President’s Award for Indigenous U S As National Manager of Indigenous Relations for Engagement which was established to recognize S I | Somerville, I feel so proud to work for a company employees who make contributions to Somerville’s 4 that supports such innovative programming, and goal of furthering authentic reconciliation by 2 0 2 I feel inspired by all the exciting opportunities on developing genuine, holistic, sustainable, and R the horizon for Somerville to continue being E reciprocally rewarding relationships with Indigenous B intentional in the way we build sincere Peoples and communities. To date, 14 Somerville M E relationships with Indigenous organizations, employees from across Canada have received this T P E communities, Nations and Peoples across Canada. prestigious award. S