Toronto – December 2, 2025 – UFCW Canada is proud to announce the release of Carrying Forward, the 2026 edition of the UFCW Canada Indigenous Committee Calendar. Developed in partnership with the UFCW Canada Indigenous Committee and the Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G) — an Indigenous youth-led organization based in Unceded Algonquin Territory — the calendar reflects the ongoing growth of UFCW Canada’s commitment to reconciliation, cultural awareness, and solidarity with Indigenous communities.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2025 calendar, Carrying Forward continues this meaningful initiative by honouring and uplifting Indigenous cultures, teachings, and histories. The 2026 edition features significant dates observed across Turtle Island, including cultural ceremonies, seasonal transitions, and moments of remembrance and reflection. Rooted in the natural cycles of the land, these dates offer a perspective grounded in connection, responsibility, and respect for the world around us.
The theme Carrying Forward speaks to the responsibility of sustaining the knowledge and spirit passed down through generations. It also recognizes the leadership of Indigenous youth in shaping the future. Much of the artwork showcased throughout the calendar was created by young Indigenous artists from across Canada, whose creativity pays tribute to ancestral teachings while envisioning what lies ahead.
The calendar’s cover features Return of the Sacred by Philip Cote (acrylic on canvas, 2025), a piece that symbolizes renewal, healing, and the shared journey toward reconciliation. “The revival of our culture is to retell these ancient stories again,” says Cote. “Indigenous people and all settlers are all on this journey together. The 8th Fire tells us that we are merging. We are all on the heart road — it’s the road between the physical and the spirit world.”
