Our Legacy
Dedication to the Legacy Boat, 2015 – Deidre Palik
We are here this evening, in Sistership, to celebrate: our first venture of the year out on the water, each other, and our new Legacy boat!
Since the inception of Sistership in 1998, close to 290 have joined us in choosing dragon boating as a way to be active post breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Making that choice, not the diagnosis, is where we find our common thread. We are positive, strong-spirited, and determined to live on.
And so, we are here to welcome our new boat to our waters and to us. Let’s treat her well, taking good care around her wooden gunnels and seats and around other objects like the canoe and the docks. Let’s keep the energy and talk inside the boat positive. Let’s say a quiet “Thank you” each time she returns us safely to shore. Treat her well, and she will treat us well!
Some of our former members have passed away, and, in their honour, we have placed their names inside the boat. The memories of them, their strength, courage, and joy will fuel us as we train, grow stronger, and race!
Many bequeaths associated with some of these past members have made the purchase of this boat possible and why we call her “Legacy.” And so, I ask you to say “Thank You” for the gift they have given us today!
Cheers to “Legacy,” to “Sistership,” to each other. Be strong, be happy, be well! PADDLES UP!
The Story Behind Sistership’s Maquette
In 2008, Sistership proudly acquired a unique piece of art: a maquette, or scale model, crafted through the Sistership Legacy Fund.
The concept of the maquette began with Heather Webber, a former Sistership president, who drew inspiration from her travels in the East. After witnessing a life-size statue, she returned to Sistership with an idea: Why not create a life-sized dragon boat with paddlers? In 2005, Heather proposed the project, and soon after, a group of Sistership members embarked on a journey to make it happen.
Their first step was approaching the City of Calgary, where they were quoted a staggering $100,000 to realize the dream of a full-scale installation. Undeterred, the team started exploring potential locations for display, going on numerous walks throughout the city. Calgary officials even provided a map of possible sites, but the project never moved beyond this exploratory phase.
Despite the challenges, the idea of creating a lasting tribute for Sistership persisted. In 2008, the first installment toward the maquette was made, with support from Wendy McLeish, who coordinated the scale model production in the United States. Over 3 years (2008–2010), the maquette came together, along with a custom-made plexiglass box and stand. Funding for the project was bolstered early on by a generous $10,000 contribution from the Canadian Cancer Society, secured by Vicki Kranenburg, whose mother worked at the organization. This seed money helped set the project in motion
The artist commissioned for this remarkable creation was Brian Cooley, a Canadian sculptor renowned for his work with dinosaur reconstructions, with completed projects displayed at the Royal Tyrell Museum. Notably, Brian was the brother of Brenwyn Cooley, a former president of Sistership, and his skills were instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
Upon its completion, the maquette was envisioned as a proposal piece—an artistic representation to present to potential corporations interested in sponsoring or displaying a life-sized version. In a stroke of success, the City of Calgary agreed to display the maquette in the open tundra area of City Hall, where it remained for about a year.
Eventually, the maquette found a new home at EFW Radiology Cambrian NW Calgary, a location known for exchanging art exhibits at no cost. This transition occurred between 2014 and 2016, and the maquette has been proudly displayed there ever since.
This journey—from inspiration, funding, and creation to its current display—encapsulates the spirit and resilience of Sistership, showcasing how a shared vision can become a lasting tribute to the organization’s legacy.
(Sherri MacDonald January 2025; approved per Laura Connelly 2024)
Our Legacy Benches!
In 2000, Sistership built our first legacy bench in memory of our teammates who are no longer with us. The bench overlooks the dragon boat race site on the Glenmore Reservoir.
In 2014 Sistership added a second legacy bench. This beautiful bench, situated in Glenmore Park, close to the Calgary Canoe Club, overlooks the new pond.
Sistership’s second legacy bench placed 2014.
A third Legacy Bench was added in early 2015, honouring our sisters. This lovely bench is situated in Nose Hill Park and faces a beautiful pond. The bench is number 19 on the Nose Hill Park bench map.