Celebrating culture and connection during Indigenous History and Pride Month
June is an enriching month of celebration, reflection and solidarity in Canada, as it marks National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, with National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) observed on June 21. It’s a time to honour the rich cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, while also celebrating the resilience and rights of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Together, these observances invite everyone to learn, uplift marginalized voices and work toward a more accepting society.
As a long-time supporter of Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary, Cenovus Energy once again sponsored the Family Day and Powwow. The vibrant event featured several attractions, including an Indigenous crafts market, Inuit and Métis exhibitions and the Indigenous handgames tournament where teams take turns to hide "bones" in their hands while the opposing team tries to guess which hand the correct bone is in and not the "trick bone".
The Cenovus handgames team in action.
Our staff participate in the handgames every year as a way to engage with and honour Indigenous traditions through teamwork and cultural connection. "I'm thrilled to be back!” says returning team member Corinne Paul, Specialist, COIMS & Contractor Management. “Indigenous handgames are an elaborate guessing game that brings high energy, humour, good sportsmanship and expressive performance to every match." We are proud to say the team took home second place this year.
Beyond Calgary, we invited neighbouring Indigenous communities to join us in our celebration of NIPD at our Christina Lake, Foster Creek and Sunrise operations. These gatherings featured traditional dancing, drumming and food, with some of the sites hosting round dances and Elder-led talks. Our Lloydminster office celebrated the day with a teepee raising, beading workshop and smudging ceremony.
The summer solstice, a key date in June, is a symbol of renewal and connection. Recognizing the intersections between Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, two of our staff resource groups – the Indigenous Community Sharing Circle and PRIDE@Cenovus, let their connection and Do it together attitudes shine through by hosting a powerful panel discussion. Featuring external speakers, the event fostered a lively discussion, bringing together voices from both communities to explore shared experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
These celebrations reflect Cenovus’s commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels like they belong, and the belief that when we come together, we Make it better.
LAST UPDATED: JUNE, 2025
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