FLOWERS, FISHING & FRIENDSHIP: A WEEK WITH OUR TOTAS
The amazing staff and awesome totas at Iakhihsohtha Lodge have been very busy this past week! Our superstar team continues to keep our residents active, engaged, and thriving!
Staff recently participated in a team-building activity that brought out their creativity and camaraderie. Each department worked together to design and decorate flower pots, engaging in some friendly competition to see who could create the most original and eye-catching design. 💐
Once the pots were complete, staff contributed flowers and filled each planter, with all of the creations returned to the Lodge for the residents to enjoy. A special nia:wen/thank you goes to Liz Sunday and Angie Sunday for their help in organizing and supporting the activity.
Grand Chief Leonard Lazore joined the fun as Guest Judge, awarding first place to Team Kitchen/Housekeeping/Laundry and second place to Team PSWs! 🏆
Staff also held a heartfelt retirement celebration for two of their long-serving team members: Eileen Montour and Victoria Irving. Both have shown unwavering dedication to the well-being and safety of our totas throughout the years, offering compassion, care, and kindness in all they do. We extend our deepest thanks to Eileen and Victoria for their many contributions — enjoy your retirement, ladies!
As for the gentlemen of Iakhihsohtha: Father’s Day weekend was a busy one! Our Activities team loaded up the staff vehicle and took our totas to see a Thunder Junior B lacrosse game. The residents enjoyed the excitement of the game, got in some good arena snacks, and socialized with those in attendance, catching up with long-time friends and family.
The celebration of our rakenis and rakhsóthas continued with a relaxing fishing trip, where the residents thoroughly enjoyed time by the water, sharing stories and each other’s company. Nia:wen/Thank you to Tacklebox Marina for generously offering their dock, and to AMPS Officer Nathan Thompson and RCMP Reserve Constable Jeff Chartrand for donating fishing poles and tackle boxes — and for spending the day helping our totas fish. 🎣
The elders were then treated to one of their favourite outings: a bus ride to one of the local ice cream stands! Nia:wen to Riverside Scoops for allowing the totas to come visit and grab some of their favourite ice cream flavors. What a sweet treat for our residents! 🍦
The tota’s busy week was wrapped up with a Iakhihsohtha’s Community Bingo, which was held at the Snye Recreation Center. Nia:wen to the following:
• Iakhihsohtha Lodge’s Activities Staff for organizing the Community Bingo and making it a big success.
• 97.3 CKON Radio for donating goodie bags for the door prizes.
• Snye Recreation Kitchen Crew for preparing a delicious lunch for all attendees.
• All the community members who came out and participated in the Community Bingo.
Our totas had a wonderful week full of connection, laughter, and joy. A heartfelt nia:wen/thank you to everyone who helped make it all possible — your kindness and support keep our totas thriving and connected to the community.
