MCDOUGALL STONEY MISSION SOCIETY

The McDougall Stoney Mission Society is a not-for-profit society incorporated in the Province of Alberta in 1971 and a CRA registered charity. We are a 100% volunteer run organization with a dedicated membership and are funded through membership fees grants and donations. Our 43.9-acre historical site borders the Stoney Nakoda Nation and our relationship with the Stoney people dates back to the beginning of the Morleyville Settlement in 1875 . The site has been cited as a symbol of the collaborative relationship between the Stoney Nation and the settler community during the dramatic era of transition in the Canadian west. In May 2017 the McDougall Memorial Church the oldest church in Southern Alberta that was located on our site was damaged by fire. Recognized as a historical resource by the MD of Bighorn No. 8 the site is visited by local and international guests. The Mission site on which the church was located was the nucleus of the Morleyville Settlement that extended along the Bow River to the Ghost River. It was the earliest pioneer settlement in southern Alberta exceeding the size of all settlements including Fort Calgary until the CPR was built in 1882-83. The foundation of the mission house and other archaeological features remain at the site to remind us of the former community including trails privies teepee circles corrals barns and other structures. The restoration of the building gave us the opportunity to work on restoring the relationship with the Stoney Nation. Since then we have had Indigenous led ceremonies to mark important milestones during the restoration and have strengthened our relationship through discussions at events gatherings meetings and sharing circles with a generous group of individual Stoney Elders knowledge keepers and members helping us on the path toward understanding and reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission discusses the importance of 'learning to be good neighbours' and 'taking concrete action to improve relationships'. We are committed to these actions as demonstrated by hosting various cross-cultural events where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together to respectfully listen and learn about the importance and significance of the Stoney language and culture.

MSMS is in the final stage of completing the Historic Morleyville Interpretive Trail Project a collaboration with Îyârhe Stoney Elders and community members. This trail will narrate the diverse stories of Historic Morleyville amplifying both Indigenous and settler voices to rpovide a comprehensive understanding of the area's history. Project Rationale: Reconciliation Through Shared History The relationship between the Îyârhe Stoney people and the early settlers in the Bow Valley during the 1870s is a significant aspect of Southern Alberta history yet awareness of this shared past remains limited. This Interpretive Trail addresses this gap by creating a culturally sensitive and historically comprehensive resource that will inform and engage both Indigenous and non-Indigenous visitors to Historic Morleyville fostering a deeper understanding of the site's rich and complex history. Arising from post-2017 fire reconciliation efforts and community engagement the project highlights the need to incorporate Indigenous values traditions and stories that were previously underrepresented. The updated trail presented in both English and Iêthka Stoney will preserve and revitalize the Iêthka Stoney language and history as told by the Îyârhe Stoney people offering a crucial opportunity for language revitalization among youth. This initiative exemplifies reconciliation and reflects the strong relationship between MSMS and members of the Îyârhe Stoney community. Collaboration and Partnership: The Stoney Advisory Group of Elders and Supporters ('SAGES') The strength of this project lies in the authentic relationships developed between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. Our truly collaborative approach allows us to grow together in understanding and compassion as we weave complex histories. The invaluable involvements of the Iyarhe Stoney Elders and community members from the Mini Thni area our 'SAGES' has been crucial. They are trusted advisors and friends who generously share their knowledge providing guidance on values perspectives and stories thereby shaping our plans and strengthening our relationship. The urgency of this collaboration is heightened as were are losing a generation of Elders. As University of Calgary Senator and Blackfoot leader Dr. Reg Crowshoe shared at our friend Iyarhe Stoney Elder Phillomene Steven's January funeral 'when we lose someone like Phillomene we lose a library'.