Happenings in Rotary
Helping newcomers to build a new and fulfilling life in Canada since 1988
 
Mihaela Craciun, our guest speaker, is Manager of Programming and of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) at Saamis Immigration Services Association (SISA) in Medicine Hat.
 
It was fascinating to hear briefly about Mihaela’s life journey from her youth in her country of origin, Romania, to the present. An immigrant herself, she is now a well rooted Canadian, committed to giving back, through her work at Saamis, by connecting with newcomers, understanding their challenges, and helping them to feel welcome and develop a sense of belonging.
 
Mihaela expressed appreciation for the ways in which the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has supported the work of Saamis over the past couple of years. Team Freewheel has donated over 180 bikes to 75 families promoting much-needed mobility and access to resources including education, shopping and work. Rotarians have joined Saamis clients for a Family Movie night to converse in English; the Club has donated money to help cover the cost of a bus that took Saamis clients on a trip around town to see the Christmas lights; Rotarians accompanied Saamis clients on a ‘get-to-know-Medicine Hat’ walk to the Teepee; Club members spent time with Saamis clients in Echodale, showing them the museum and agricultural equipment from the past; and our Club recently put together 35 ‘health bags’ and handed them out, in lieu of International Men’s Day and the theme, ‘Healthy Men, Healthy World’ (see photos at the end of the article).
 
Mihaela’s presentation on SISA was lively, interactive, informative and enlightening.
 
The objective of this association is to assist in the integration, adjustment and resettlement of immigrants and refugees into the community and to foster the development of independence that will aid them in becoming self-sufficient.
 
In terms of numbers, in 2022, Permanent Resident intake to Canada was:
  • Economic class: 56%
  • Family stream: 24.3%
  • Refugees: 17.8%
  • Humanitarian and other: 1.9%
Arrivals to Medicine Hat numbered 259 in 2022, the breakdown being:
  • Ukrainian evacuees:42%
  • Refugees: 40.6%
  • Economic class: 9.4%
  • Family class: 6.7%
  • Other: 1.3%
Mihaela spoke about how immigrants from refugee camps, in which they could have spent 10 or more years, had a huge challenge getting settled in Canada, due inter alia to unfamiliarity, language barriers, emotional stress, gender role differences, and adapting to a new culture while maintaining their own.
 
All immigrants are eligible for accessing settlement services in Canada. Saamis is funded by the IRCC to provide settlement support and services to any immigrant with Permanent Residence (PR) status.
 
Saamis provides three phases of help: arrival and survival; orientation and settlement; and grow and thrive.
 
Offered during these phases are five programs: Resettlement Assistance during first six weeks after arrival; Settlement Services to help newcomers to fully participate in social, cultural, civic; and economic life in Canada; Settlement Workers in Schools; Language Instruction offered at four different levels; and Community Connections which is federally funded and matches newcomers with volunteers acting as mentors, language coaches, or community ambassadors.
 
How can Rotary and others assist?
 
Opportunities include: volunteering on the Community Connections Program; offering and/or funding city tours e.g. to Police Point and Medalta; forming and/or joining Conversation Circles e.g.attending a Breakfast Circle at Saamis; putting together gift bags for women clients on International Women’s Day; and in general, creating a welcoming community by recognising and attempting to resolve cultural conflicts through effective cross-cultural communication.
 
The presentation was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by Club members. It served as an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between our Club and Saamis, to develop a better understanding of Saamis and the vital role it plays in our community; and to spark new ideas for Rotary Club involvement in the support of newcomers to our community.
 
THANK YOU, MIHAELA!
 
Very best wishes to you and all your colleagues at Saamis Immigration Services Association.
 
***
 
ROTARY CLUB OF MEDICINE HAT'S TEAM FREEWHEEL DONATES BICYCLES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
 
 
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SIGHT-SEEING
 
 
GETTING TO KNOW MEDICINE HAT: A VISIT TO THE TEEPEE
 
 
SPENDING TIME TOGETHER IN ECHODALE
 
 
"YOU MATTER": INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY GIFT BAGS FOR SAAMIS MEN CLIENTS
 
We had the pleasure of a presentation by Cathy Linowski during our noon meeting on Monday 20 November.
 
 
Cathy graduated from Simon Fraser University, majoring in botany and archaeology.
 
Over the years, she has worked for the Alberta Dept. of Agriculture and done teaching for the Medicine Hat College on the Brooks campus.
 
Cathy is currently an active member of the Southeast Alberta Archaeological Society (of which President Bruce is the chair) and she works as a field botanist for Environment and Climate Change, monitoring rare and endangered plant species in the Dry Mixed grass prairie.
 
What a pleasure to listen to, learn from, and ask questions of someone who is a passionate expert in her field!
 
"Archaeology is the study of past humans, and how they lived, by examining their material remains. Through excavation and analysis, these material remains can tell a story about how humans have tackled problems, survived, and thrived. Archaeologists can determine timelines, range of occupation, and learn aspects about diet, housing, social status, and lifestyle of the peoples that lived there".
 
Moving on from what archaeology is, Cathy took us on a trip to develop our understanding of why it is important and what archaeologists do. She then moved into:.
 
Archaeology in Alberta, in Medicine Hat, and specifically, the Saamis Archaeological site.
 
One of many snippets of interesting information from the southeast region of Alberta, is that the Majorville Medicine Wheel near Bassano dates back 4500 years - and is still used. The center is 9m across, with 28 spokes.
 
Cathy gave us clarity on what an archaeological site is, prehistoric archaeological sites, archaeological artifacts and features, and the interesting issue of reporting an archaeological find.
 
If you find an archaeological artifact, photograph it, write down the location of the find, your contact details, and email this information to: sheila.macdonald@gov.ab.ca.
 
Yes, you can keep your artifact, OR you can choose to donate it to the Royal Alberta Museum for curating and display. You may not sell it.
 
Over 80% of sites in Alberta predate the arrival of Europeans. Some sites are more than 13,000 years old, while some are just a few hundred years old.
 
Common types of prehistoric sites include: campsites, animal kill sites, rock art sites, and ceremonial sites.
 
It was interesting to hear that Alberta has over 40,000 recorded archaeological sites, managed by the Government of Alberta, with approximately 500 new records added each year. There are over 50 documented historic and prehistoric archaeological sites within Medicine Hat. Historic archaeology sites in Medicine Hat include Medalta and the IXL brink plant.
 
A final note on the Saamis Archaeological site: it was designated a Provincial Historic Site in 1984. Fencing to limit riparian erosion and allow for natural regeneration along Seven Persons Creek was installed in 2019. Restricting off-leash dogs was also  imposed. Cathy was happy to report that recovery of the area has been excellent.
 
All in all, a very interesting and informative presentation, for which many thanks, Cathy Linowski!
An update on the Medicine Hat Health Foundation by dynamic Executive Director
 
Executive Director Heather Bach was our guest speaker today. She presented interesting and up-to-date information about the Medicine Hat Health Foundation.
 
 
Heather started her presentation by thanking the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat for the $12,000 given to the Foundation, by the Club, for local healthcare, over the past 25 years.
 
A bit of interesting history shared by Heather, is that the Medicine Hat General hospital was built by volunteers in 1889 – and was the first hospital west of Winnipeg. Our Regional Hospital was built in 1958, with expansions in 1986 and 2017. The Medicine Hat Foundation was founded in 1996.
 
A Board of 13 Trustees heads up the Foundation, which is a registered charitable organization that raises funds to support, improve and equip local healthcare providers and facilities.
 
The Core Funds of the Foundation are: Men’s Health; Women’s Health; Children’s Health, Senior’s Health, Addictions & Mental Health; and Greatest needs. All donations received remain in the community.
 
Guiding the operation and services of the Foundation are five key values: Community, Transparency, Compassion, Integrity and Philanthropy.
 
ED Heather has four coordinators heading up: Major Gifts; Program/Volunteer; Donor Relations; and Strategic Giving.
 
Evidence of the difference made by the Health Foundation in Medicine Hat is that since its establishment in June 1996, the Foundation has invested over $20.1 million in local health care.
 
Most readers will have noticed or even popped into the Gift Shop on the ground level of our Regional Hospital. This shop, operated by volunteers, raised a staggering $11,409.89 over the past 12 months.
 
In addition to putting in time at the Gift Shop, there are many ways in which one can volunteer for the Health Foundation, including newspaper delivery to inpatient units, taking the shop’s gift cart around the hospital to bed bound patients and staff; assisting in the Foundation’s office and assisting with various campaigns.
 
Heather made special mention of the specialized space in the hospital that the Foundation has set up for children, where they can access support in moments of crisis. This paediatric mental health room was officially opened in April 2023.
 
The Foundation has been able to purchase vital equipment over the past year, including vaccine refrigerators, a Fabian ventilator for Neonatal Intensive care unit, MRI-safe monitoring equipment, therapeutic burn sleeves, Sonosite Ultrasound for the high-risk maternal clinic, and a fluid management system for surgical suites.
 
Heather ended her presentation with a list of the Foundation’s greatest current needs. These include funds for: the expansion and renovation of the gift shop, a Hana surgical bed, and special beds for the mental health unit.
 
Thank you, Heather, for the significant impact you, your staff, Board and volunteers are making in the health sector of Medicine Hat. May the Foundation continue to have all the community support needed – “Together, We Can”!
 

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Medicine Hat

We meet In Person & Online
Mondays at 11:45 AM
Medicine Hat Lodge
1051 Ross Glen Dr SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1B 3T8
Canada
The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat has returned to meeting in person. Our first meeting of every month is a ZOOM business meeting. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
Club Contact Info
Rotary Club of Medicine Hat
PO Box 1058
Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 7H1
 
mhrotary@gmail.com