Roy Bear Chief: Wisdom Beyond Borders | Calgary News

At 78, Roy Bear Chief, revered as Oom ka pisi or Big Coyote, is rewriting education at Mount Royal University — not as a symbol, but as a force of change. A Siksika Nation elder and master’s degree holder, he’s spent decades healing trauma from residential school and turning pain into purpose, mentoring generations and reshaping curricula with Indigenous wisdom. Awarded a Lifetime Achievement Medal and two honorary doctorates, he leads bold initiatives like the “Spiderweb” project — a living, interwoven symbol of connection inspired by Blackfoot stories — now spreading across Calgary and beyond. His message? It’s never too late to grow, to learn, to lead — and he’s still coloring outside the lines, one lesson, one web, one student at a time. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5a9db876cd19f0ca