Indigenous Science Month
JUNE 3, 10, 17, 21 AND 24

Indigenous Science Month

Celebrate Indigenous Science and Creativity at Spark!

DATE

Saturday, June 3

Saturday, June 10

Saturday, June 17

Wednesday, June 21

Saturday, June 24

TIME

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

COST

FREE for First Nations, Métis and Inuit

General Admission for all others

AGES

All ages are welcome

Head to Spark every Saturday in June for Indigenous Science Month: four weeks of festivities that celebrate the creativity of Indigenous science through art, film, conversations with Elders, and much more.

  • Indigenous-led programming on June 3, 10, 17 and 24, with additional programming on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21). 
  • Visit the newly planted medicine garden. 
  • Browse and shop the diverse offerings from the market featuring local Indigenous vendors. 
  • Take in moss bag teachings in the Creative Kids Museum, with The Moss Bag Project - You can even try a full-sized adult moss bag! 
  • Make your own art masterpiece out of fish scales, with the help of Indigenous artists. 
  • The month-long celebration wraps up with a selection of films by Indigenous filmmakers, telling stories from Niitsitapi, Michif, Dene, and Wuikinuxv perspectives. Learn about the art and science of filmmaking with talkbacks from the artists and a chance for Q&A's. 

TICKETS

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

Admission is FREE for those who identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

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.

Buy Tickets Member Tickets
  • JUNE 17
  • 6:00 PM

SOLSTICE SLEEPOVER

Get ready for an exciting overnight experience at the science centre! Explore sky science and Indigenous culture and ways of knowing through Indigenous and Non-Indigenous lenses.

Design your own constellation and the story that goes with it, and then experience how it looks projected into the blackness of space.

Learn weaving techniques and skills from Matt Hiltermann, a Métis Historian and cultural specialist, and using basic Finger Weaving Techniques, create your own woven bracelet with colours that tell your origin story.

A sleepover at the science centre also includes: 

An Infinity Dome theatre show. 

A morning live science demonstration. 

Free time to explore Spark’s exhibits and galleries  

Facilitated hands-on programming 

An evening snack and hot breakfast in the morning. 

$79 per person for non-Indigenous groups.

$15 per person for Indigenous groups.

Book through the call centre at #403-817-6800.

JUNE 3

  • Atrium
  • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indigenous Market

Vendors:
My Inuvialuit Scrunchies: Hair accessories

Joey Big Snake and Burliest Bear: Art

Loretta's Wellness Circle: Wellbeing products for home and body

T&T Dreamcatchers: Dreamcatchers and Crafting Supplies

Oji Creations: Art and Crafts

Pat's Ribbon Skirts & Crafts: Ribbon Skirts and Jewelry

  • Feature Gallery
  • 12:00 AND 2:00 PM

Portable Planetarium

Hop inside a mini planetarium, lie on your back and look up at the stars! Science guides will provide a demonstration about black holes and the Milky Way in connection with the 1:00 PM screening of Blackfoot Skies.
  • Inspiration Stage
  • 1:00 PM

Blackfoot Skies

Watch a screening of the film, 'Blackfoot Skies', followed by a talk from Siksika Knowledge Keeper Rob Cardinal. Learn about the Milky Way, black holes, and stories of the cosmos.

Learn More
  • Gathering Circle
  • 2:30 AND 4:30 PM

Circle of Life Teachings from Walter White Bear

These workshops are safe spaces where everyone is free to explore questions, stories, legends, myths and misunderstandings using traditional Indigenous music, singing, lore and symbolism. Participants gain an introductory knowledge of native spirituality and how it effects the journey of the culture, governance and place in the Canadian mosaic.

  • Brainasium Outdoor Park
  • 5:00 PM

Community Feast

Gather together for a FREE feast of fry bread, traditional beef stew and Saskatoon berry soup with Chef Tanya Eagletail from Indigenous Delights and Devour Catering.

Get Tickets

JUNE 10

  • Atrium
  • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indigenous Market

Vendors:

Native Diva: Jewelry and accessories

49 DZine: Clothing, shoes, fabric, and bags

My Inuvialuit Scrunchies: Hair accessories

Joey Big Snake and Burliest Bear: Artwork

Loretta's Wellness Circle: Well-being products for home and body

T&T Dreamcatchers: Dreamcatchers and crafting supplies

Oji Creations: Art and Crafts

Pat's Ribbon Skirts & Crafts: Ribbon skirts and jewelry

  • Creative Kids Museum
  • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Fish Scale Art Workshop

Partake in this free Fish scale art workshop for the community, hosted by Moonstone Creations. Kits are limited and will be provided on a first come-first serve basis. The best part, is finished art pieces are yours to take home!
  • Creative Kids Museum
  • 1:00 PM

Teachings from The Moss Bag Project

Come see a real moss bag at the new permanent installation inside the Creative Kids Museum, and hear from members of the Moss Bag Project. Adults can even hop into a full-sized adult moss bag for a full-body experience!


Facilitators from The Moss Bag Project will be on site with teachings about moss science, motherhood, and Indigenous epistemology.

Learn More
  • Infinity Dome
  • 5:00 PM

Science and Indigenous Languages

Explore the depth of science within Indigenous languages and stories with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the Spark Indigenous Advisory Circle.

Ask questions about Indigenous science and languages in this interactive conversation.

Elders in attendance: Rob Cardinal, Diana Melting Tallow, Casey Eagle Speaker, and Hal Eagletail

Get Tickets

JUNE 17

  • Atrium
  • 11:00 AM

Scavenger Hunt

Explore Indigenous science at Spark with a scavenger hunt through the entire science centre, self-facilitated on Goose Chase!


Four guests who complete the challenge (on June 17 only) will be randomly selected to win fun prizes from the Spark store!

  • Feature Gallery
  • 12:00 AND 2:00 PM

Paws and Claws Touch Table

Learn about predator-prey relationships and learn about what wolves can teach us about living in harmony with the ecosystem. Why do we hunt and eat animals with hooves and horns but not those with paws and claws?
  • Inspiration Stage
  • 1:00 PM

Blackfoot Skies

Watch a screening of the film Blackfoot Skies, followed by a sky science talk with Siksika Knowledge Keeper Rob Cardinal and Elder Diana Melting Tallow.

Learn More
Get Tickets

JUNE 21 - INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY

  • Gathering Circle
  • 11:00 AM

Plant Medicine Talk

Wild plants have been traditionally used as medicine for thousands of years. Today around 25% of pharmaceutical medications are derived from plants. Learn about the science of medicinal plants, with a focus on plant species native to Alberta, and how contemporary scientific research relies on and supports traditional knowledge about plant medicines.

  • Atrium
  • 1:00 PM

What Is Indigenous Science?

At the main Atrium stage, hear a talk from Kori Czuy, Spark's Indigenous Engagement Manager, followed by a Q&A.

Get Tickets

JUNE 24

  • Inspiration Stage
  • 10:00 AM

Indigenous Film Showcase: Stop Motion Duo

Watch the stop motion films 'Mia' and 'Flood' by Amanda Strong and Bracken Hanuse Corlett, followed by live demonstration of shadow puppetry techniques by a Spark science guide.

  • Atrium
  • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indigenous Market

Vendors:

My Inuvialuit Scrunchies: Hair accessories

Joey Big Snake and Burliest Bear: Artwork

Loretta's Wellness Circle: Well-being products for home and body

T&T Dreamcatchers: Dreamcatchers and crafting supplies

Oji Creations: Art and Crafts

Pat's Ribbon Skirts & Crafts: Ribbon skirts and jewelry

  • Inspiration Stage
  • 1:00 PM

Indigenous Film Showcase: Blackfoot Skies

This short film is an adaptation of a Blackfoot story about the Wolf Trail, or Milky Way in the English language.

Q&A with Director Tito Gomez and Producer Pamela Beebe to follow.

Suitable for all-ages.

  • Inspiration Stage
  • 5:00 PM

Indigenous Film Showcase: Peace Pipeline

Comedian-activists pose as an Indigenous energy company sharing plans to reroute an Enbridge pipeline through the wealthy white suburbs of Duluth, Minnesota, to more fairly share its risks —with shocking and hilarious results.

Artist talkback from Gitz Crazyboy and Tito Ybarra to follow.

Suitable for older audiences (12+)

Get Tickets

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

Step inside a graphic novel 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