(Image Credit: City of Medicine Hat)

By Jesse Gill

In the Community

Medicine Hat’s Saamis Tepee and Towne Square to light up red for 211 Day

Feb 11, 2026 | 12:31 PM

Medicine Hat’s Saamis Tepee and Towne Square will glow red this evening in recognition of National 211 Day.

This is following a proclamation from Mayor Linnsie Clark declaring Feb. 11 as 211 Day in the City of Medicine Hat.

The illumination is part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of 211.

211 Alberta is a free, confidential service that connects Albertans to essential community, social, health, and government resources.

Communication is available in over 240 languages with a range of supports for housing, accessing mental health services, or navigating financial aid.

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The United Way says that in 2025, Medicine Hat residents contacted 211 Alberta a total of 425 times, with 305 phone calls, 62 texts, 57 online chats, and one email.

Through these interactions, a total of 950 distinct needs were identified within the city.

Key Challenges included basic needs as the top concern, with 240 needs identified related to housing, shelter, food, and transportation.

Next was income supports and employment with 200 needs reflecting ongoing financial struggles in the community.

This was followed by mental health and substance use disorder with 152 needs emphasizing the demand for mental health and addiction support services.

“211 Alberta meets people where they are right now and can help prevent a challenge from becoming a crisis,” said Patricia Skagen-Emokpae, Director, 211 Alberta.

“By providing timely connections to the right resources—whether that’s food security or mental health support—we are helping Albertans connect to support so they can build stability and resilience when they need it most.”

The illumination of Saamis Tepee and Towne Square in red is part of the national United Glow effort, celebrating 211 Day through the lighting of monuments and landmarks across Canada.

Residents are encouraged to take a photo of the landmark lit in red and share it on social media, using the hashtags #211DayCanada, #UnitedGlow, #211Alberta and #HelpStartsHere to spread the word.

Anyone needing support can access the service by calling 211, texting info to 211, or connecting online through ab.211.ca.

The red glow will continue at the Saamis Tepee from Feb. 12-18 for a different cause.

The Miywasin Friendship Centre will sponsor the City of Medicine Hat’s Light For a Cause program in support of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.