Join us at the Kanakaa’tsinom Elder’s Centre for a sacred and creative workshop on the practice of Medicine Bag Making. This event is a profound opportunity to engage with cultural teachings and create a personal item of spiritual significance. As one of our core offerings of traditional Indigenous crafts in Calgary, this session is designed to be a space of focus, respect, and community.

The Meaning and Purpose of a Medicine Bag

A medicine bag is a small, personal pouch that is carried by an individual for guidance, healing, and protection. It holds items that have a special spiritual meaning to its carrier, such as traditional medicines like sage, sweetgrass, and cedar, or other objects like stones, carvings, and crystals that represent personal strengths, prayers, or connections to the land and spirit. The creation of the bag itself is a ceremony, done with intention and a good heart.

The Workshop Experience

In this hands-on session, our cultural support team will guide participants through the process of creating their own leather medicine bag. All necessary materials, including leather, sinew, and beads for decoration, will be provided. We welcome you to bring your own small, meaningful items to place in your bag upon its completion. This workshop on traditional Indigenous crafts in Calgary is about more than just the physical object; it’s about the spirit and intention you put into it.

This workshop is held in our Elder’s Centre and is especially for Indigenous Seniors. We also warmly welcome any other community members who wish to attend with an open heart and a desire to learn. For more information about the centre, please visit the main Kanakaa’tsinom Elder’s Centre page.

Event Details

• What: A free, hands-on workshop to create a personal medicine bag.
• When: Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
• Where: Elder’s Drop-In Centre Kanakaa’tsinom, 4630 16th Ave NW, Calgary, AB.
• Who: Primarily for Indigenous Seniors, but all interested community members are welcome.