In honour of National Indigenous History month this June, we would like to highlight one of our exceptional partners who are making an impact in this area year-round. Gibson Energy works to create opportunities for our communities to learn and experience the rich culture and history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and we are proud to partner with them in offering our Indigenous Programs.
This partnership illustrates the power of community connection. At the heart of this relationship are people like Callie Ann and Alaa, two passionate changemakers who bring their whole selves to this journey, both professionally and personally.
Callie Ann, who works in Sustainability and Indigenous Relations at Gibson Energy, brings with her a story that blends leadership, legacy, and personal healing. “I’m Métis-Cree. My grandma went to residential school, and my dad was born during the Sixties Scoop,” she shares. “He grew up being told not to identify as Indigenous… and I didn’t even learn this part of my family’s history until I was in high school.”
For Callie Ann, working in tandem with YMCA Calgary isn’t just a job but a deeply personal mission. “This is not just professional development. It’s personal development. Supporting the Y’s Indigenous programs allows me to help young people build a cultural identity I didn’t always have access to. That’s powerful.”
Gibson Energy, a leader in the energy infrastructure space, doesn’t see giving back as an obligation, it’s part of their DNA. With a culture steeped in community engagement and reconciliation, their commitment runs deep. “Contributing to the community is fundamental to who we are,” says Callie Ann. “Through initiatives like Gibson Gives and countless volunteer hours, we don’t just talk about community, we live it.”
One of the most powerful expressions of this commitment is Gibson’s work with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. The company has pledged to install Legacy Spaces across every one of its Canadian locations. These dedicated places are where employees and community members can engage in reflection, education, and meaningful conversations about Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples. “It’s about creating safe spaces to heal and ask questions without judgment,” explains Callie Ann.
For Alaa, Communications and Employee Engagement Specialist at Gibson Energy, this work carries a different but equally heartfelt meaning. “As a newcomer to Canada, I first connected with the YMCA through the YCAN program. It shaped my start in this country, helping me build connections, learn new skills, and not feel lost.” That experience stayed with her. “I always refer newcomers to the YMCA. It truly makes a difference.”
It’s no wonder that when asked what this partnership means to Gibson, both Alaa and Callie Ann light up. “It’s more than financial support,” Alaa notes. “We show up. We volunteer. We talk the talk and walk the walk. From Tipi raisings and Elder reflections to cultural events and the Blanket Exercise, our employees are not just learning, they're transforming.”
One such moment for Callie Ann stands out above the rest. “I did the Blanket Exercise with my dad once. It was so emotional. It brought us closer and gave him the space to reconnect with an identity he was taught to hide. That moment changed everything for us.”
Thanks to supporters like Gibson Energy, YMCA Calgary is amplifying its impact. Just last year alone, over 1,090 Indigenous youth were reached through school programs, more than 550 participated in Drum & Dance, and another 220 joined healthy living drop-ins, empowering young people through cultural connection, mentorship, and movement.
Reconciliation is not a single act. It’s a path walked together, step by step, story by story. As Callie Ann says, “We call it reconcili(action). It’s about listening with an open heart and taking meaningful steps forward.”
With champions like Alaa and Callie Ann, and unwavering corporate leadership behind them, Gibson Energy is not only building energy infrastructure; they’re helping to build a more connected, compassionate, and culturally vibrant future.
Because when corporate values meet community needs, and stories are shared with truth, healing begins.