November 2021
WTEP members attended a Zoom gathering with Bear Clan Calgary organized by the Alberta Assembly of Social Workers in collaboration with WTEP and other organizations. The words and thoughts expressed at this event have motivated us to share what we have learned and to seek your support for Bear Clan.
Numerous Bear Clan volunteers spoke and from then we learned that Bear Clan is far more than a group providing basic needs to the vulnerable in Calgary. They are a vibrant volunteer community group who have people’s best interests front and center in their work.
Bear Clan is about:
Indigenous teachings to protect everyone and connect to the next generation
People-to-people connections
Spiritual connections
Culture, language, songs and medicines
Compassionate care and kindness – actually talking with people –recognizing that the vulnerable are someone else’s son or daughter, aunt or uncle, mother or father
Gifting to others of food, water, clothing, etc
A family with lived experience of unhoused and struggling with addictions and mental health issues
Searching for the missing
Assisting with access to shelters and detox centres, carrying NARCAN to save lives
Community building
Taking action
o Edmonton Bear Clan convinced Edmonton City Council that the unhoused should be allowed to use transit shelters to get out of the cold
o Urging the Edmonton Police to carry NARCAN with them. Calgary Police has a better record than Edmonton Police for carrying NARCAN
Providing a model for what community safety can look like –safety by the people for the people– a model for defunding the police
Collaborating with other groups like WarShield, Water Warriors, Sober Crew, AIM
Advocating for the implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 39-41 as well as the Calls to Justice from the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women’s Report
What you can do to support Bear Clan’s critical work in our community:
Bear Clan wants to provide 1000 hampers of various sizes during the 2021 holiday season.
Contact Bear Clan (email below) to assist with the packing and/or delivery of hampers
Spread the word via email and social media
Send money via eTransfer to Bear Clan bearclanyyc@gmail.com or via assemblyofsw@gmail.com
or send a cheque for Bear Clan made out to WTEP and we will send the money on to Bear Clan
o WTEP c/o 39 – 4th St. N.E. T2E 3R6
Contact Bear Clan atbearclanyyc@gmail.com to drop off gently used or new:
o Winter hats , gloves, scarfs
o Winter jackets
o Hoodies
o Warm socks
o Sleeping bags and/or emergency blankets
o Air mattresses
Send a monetary gift to Bear Clan by ordering Orange Shirt and Red Dress decals from Chance Bellegarde. Chance accepts e-transfers and directs all funds to the Calgary Bear Clan. Please indicate that the money sent is a gift, not a donation. The decals can be picked up at Chance’s in North Haven. Email him for details and eTransferredmanwoodworksyyc@gmail.com
WTEPYYC 