Indigenous Science Night: Sacred Defenders of the Universe Premiere
Indigenous Science Night

Sacred Defenders of the Universe Premiere

March 23 admission is FREE for everyone from 5:00 - 9:00 PM!

WHAT

Sacred Defenders of the Universe Premiere Event / Indigenous Science Night

WHEN

March 23, 2023

TIME

5:00 - 9:00 PM

TICKETS

Admission is FREE for everyone!

The Four Sacred Defenders, and a Night of Indigenous Science

Sacred Defenders of the Universe is the newest digital immersive experience coming to TELUS Spark Science Centre! This Indigenous-led story follows four superheroes – Aqueous, Embers, Earth and Terra – as they fight to restore the elemental balance on Earth. There is a hero inside of all of us, but the question remains – which superhero are you?

Join Spark on March 23 for the premiere of Sacred Defenders of the Universe in Spark's Digital Immersion Gallery. March 23 is an extra special event because it will also be Indigenous Science Night at Spark, so everyone can come enjoy Indigenous workshops, drumming, food, music and more!

  • Be among the first to see the four Sacred Defenders of the Universe, and find out what defender and element you connect with.  
  • Listen to local Elders as they talk about balance in relation to the Equinox, the Circle of Life, the Four Elements, and much more! 
  • Check out the new Gathering Circle in Spark’s Brainasium Outdoor Park to listen to talks about the science of fire or hop aboard a real fire truck.  
  • Welcome local heroes of the Calgary Fire Department, as they talk about their lives as real superheroes. 
  • Enjoy performances by the Sorrel Rider Drum Group from Siksika Nation.
  • Meet the creators of Sacred Defenders of the Universe, Justin Jack Bear and Earl Benallie.  
  • Try the Playing with the Elements and Science workshop.
  • Pull up to Spark's Eatery to taste Baker's Bannock Frybread Tacos. This is frybread topped with beef, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. 
  • And so much more! 

Admission to this evening event is FREE for everyone.

TICKETS

Due to the popularity of this event, ticket reservations are strongly recommended as capacity is limited.

Admission is FREE for everyone!

All tickets include access to the event as well as admission to the exhibits and galleries, Brainasium Outdoor Park, Infinity Dome theatre, Spark Eatery and Astronaut Ice Cream café.

  • Digital Immersion Gallery

Sacred Defenders of the Universe

The newest digital immersion experience, Sacred Defenders of the Universe is a journey inside a story that follows four Indigenous superheroes - Aqueous, Embers, Terra and Aireus - as they seek to bring back the balance on Earth between humility and respect for the land.

Learn More

FEATURED EVENTS

  • Atrium

Balance and the Equinox

A conversation with Elders and Knowledge Keepers about the imbalance of human ego and humility, and how to listen to the Four Sacred Elements for Guidance.

  • Feature Gallery

Playing with Elements and Science Workshop

Water, Fire, Earth, Air: learn the significance of each of these elements in your everyday life, their scientific significance, and their connection to the Sacred Defenders of the Universe.

  • Gathering Circle – Brainasium Outdoor Park

Fire Science

Gathering around the fire or hop aboard a fire truck at Spark’s new Gathering Circle in the Brainasium Outdoor Park. Listen to talks about the science of fire with some real-life heroes from the community, the Calgary Fire Fighters!

  • Feature Gallery

Real Life Heroes

As we all learn to find our inner gift and superhero, it is a great time also learn from the heroes in our community. Chat with the Calgary Fire Department about how they are supporting Indigenous Communities and MMIWG, mitigating fires through Indigenous methods, and healing community through Indigenous ways of knowing.

  • Brainasium Outdoor Park

Food Trucks

Head outside into the Brainasium Outdoor Park and taste the deliciousness from any of the YYC Food Trucks.

  • Spark Eatery

Baker’s Bannock Frybread Tacos

Head to Spark's Eatery to taste Baker's Bannock Frybread Tacos. This is frybread topped with beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.

  • Atrium

Meet the Creators of Sacred Defenders of the Universe

Learn about how Spark’s newest digital immersion experience, Sacred Defenders of the Universe went from an idea to an entire experience. Join creators Justin Jack Bear and Earl Benallie as they discuss how the characters and plot became a full-fledged universe.

  • Atrium

Sorrel Rider Drum Group

Enjoy performances by the Sorrel Rider Drum Group from Siksika Nation, as they play traditional drumming routines and songs.

  • Feature Gallery

Wacey Little Light AKA Wayword the Trickster

Born & raised in Siksika Nation, Wacey Little Light AKA Wayword The Trickster, is an artist In Mohkinstsis known for his work as a co-creator of The Sweety Treaty Show—an artist showcase/hip-hop freestyle podcast. Along with the podcast to celebrate local creators, Wayword also works for multiple organizations to facilitate Hip Hop after school programming for Indigenous youth. As ‘The Trickster,’ Wayword explores both the physical and spiritual realm to find inspiration for new stories to guide future generations to come.

Performers and Speakers

  • Sacred Defenders of the Universe
  • CREATOR

Justin Jack Bear

Justin Jack Bear is a Métis-Anishinaabe Scottish-English Canadian entrepreneur living in Canada. “Jack Bear” is a trade name honouring all of his cultures. He is a proud member of the Garden River First Nation in Ontario.
Justin is a former varsity athlete, now wears many hats, and founded Jack Bear Legacy Pictures based in Vancouver, BC. He works in the film, entertainment and media industry, supporting and producing original indigenous stories from across Turtle Island. Justin co-created the series Sacred Defenders of the Universe (SDOTU) as an invitation for Indigenous peoples and communities to come forward and collaborate with their stories in an educational and entertaining way.
The mission behind the SDOTU series is to include and highlight the diversity and uniqueness of Indigenous peoples and nations from across the Americas – helping to immortalize the languages, oral histories and traditions through digital media for all future generations on Earth to acknowledge.

  • Sacred Defenders of the Universe
  • CREATOR

Earl Benallie

Earl Benallie was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and is part of the Ktunaxa and Navajo nations. Earl lived on the lands where the Kootenay and the St. Mary’s River merge, now called ʔaq̓am.
Earl has been writing in personal journals, creating poems and stories – he turns to writing as his cathartic way of passing on the emotions he deals with to be alive on paper. See some of these stories explaining what is happening around him using some of the elements.
Earl was featured in the media sharing his rainwater harvesting plans on APTN in 2012 and news outlets talking about creating a First Nation superhero series. He successfully launched his own company called, Rain-Cycle: Irrigation systems and Solutions, to promote rainwater harvesting and its benefits. Earl hopes to install rainwater harvesting systems in First Nation communities to help offset their demand for freshwater shortages. Earl's extensive water knowledge in the irrigation industry and a unique cultural connection to Rainwater Harvesting, Earl has found that over the years working with water, one thing is clear, every drop counts.

  • PERFORMER

Walter MacDonald White Bear

Walter MacDonald White Bear is a Cree singer-songwriter, educator, performer and motivational speaker originally from the First Nation of Moose Factory, Ontario. He has been performing acoustic and flute music for several years. Performance highlights include The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, The Chiefs Summit with Tom Jackson, The Dream Speakers Festival, The Mountain Song Native Theater and World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education. Walter has been featured as a keynote speaker at various conferences with topics including social services, justice, education, wellness and the environment.

Indigenous Engagement Fund

Guests can donate by choosing Indigenous Engagement fund from the dropdown menu on the donate page. This fund supports science education for Indigenous youth.

Donate Now

Sacred Defenders of the Universe

The newest digital immersion experience, Sacred Defenders of the Universe is a journey inside a story that follows four Indigenous superheroes - Aqueous, Embers, Terra and Aireus - as they seek to bring back the balance on Earth between humility and respect for the land.

Learn More