(TsuuT’ina Chief Roy Whitney, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stand together Friday after naming ceremony. Brandi Morin/Photo)
Brandi Morin
APTN National News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde were honoured side by side in a historic ceremony Friday on the TsuuT’ina Nation in Alberta.
TsuuT’ina Chief Roy Whitney called it “The Thundebird’s Awakening.”
Whitney said it was time to “seize this moment” because it was “important for the survival” of First Nations.
“Canada has failed. Failed on a scale so unimaginably huge…but there’s always hope. There was progress and survival for us. First Nations have arrived at a historic moment in time,” said Whitney.
Whitney thanked Trudeau for making a priority the need to end the crisis created by the high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“I give you thanks in recognizing the importance for justice for our women,” said Whitney.
In a ceremony held at the Grey Eagle Resort conference center on TsuuT’ina land adjacent to Calgary, Trudeau and Bellegarde were given gifts and fitted with war bonnets. They also received names in the TsuuT’ina language from elders.
Chief Whitney said the bestowing of the honour was considered a sacred exchange.
Trudeau was renamed Gumistiyi, which means “He Who Keeps Trying.”
The prime minister said he was honoured by the name.
“You can be guaranteed that I will wear both the title and the TsuuT’ina feather hat with the upmost pride and respect,” said Trudeau. “I will remember this ceremony and cherish this experience always. And I will remember the responsibility that comes with the great honour that you bestow on me today.”
Trudeau reiterated past remarks that no relationship is more important to him and to Canada than the one with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.
“A relationship built on a recognition of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are a sacred obligation. A relationship that is guided by the spirit and intent of the original Treaty relationship respectful of inherent rights, Treaties and of jurisdictions,” said Trudeau. “And a relationship committed to making progress on the essential work of rebuilding a partnership based on cooperation, respect and trust. This is something that we will work on together. We will make significant achievements in the coming days and months. This is a work that will go on for years, for decades and for generations.”
Bellegarde was named Xani-tii Sido?i which means “Sitting Buffalo.”
In his speech, Bellegarde took the opportunity to remind the Prime Minister of the promises he made to Indigenous people during his campaign.
“The removal of the 2 per cent cap on funding, which has been in place for 20 years—they (Liberals) said it’s going to be gone, so on March 22 we are watching. We have our fingers and toes crossed. Because that cap was a cap on growth and a cap on potential,” said Bellegarde, who added that a new era was unfolding for Canada’s First Nations.
“We are starting to rise up and get healthy as nations again. And so when we hear that Victory song, we stand and dance,” he said.
Over one hundred Treaty Chiefs from across Canada attended the event.
Following the ceremony Trudeau joined hands with Whitney, Bellegarde, other nation members and chiefs to participate in a victory song and dance around the room.
The ceremony was held on the heels of a climate change meeting in Vancouver between the prime minister, premiers and Indigenous leaders. Many First Nation leaders called the meeting a “failure” and expressed frustration with Trudeau and his government.
Last fall TsuuT’ina hosted a polling station on reserve during the federal election for the first time ever in the belief the community needed to influence mainstream politics. The First Nation had expressed disappointment with the former Conservative government of Stephen Harper.
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