Trudeau to be honoured with headdress

March 3, 2016

Kevin Littlelight credits the moccasin telegraph for bringing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Tsuut’ina Nation.

What Littlelight calls a “long campfire story” began shortly after Trudeau won the federal election in October.

“Native people are tribal people. We don’t really have any ceremonies or anything to celebrate defeat. We wanted to celebrate the victory of a man,” said Littlelight, spokesperson for Tsuut’ina Chief and council. “It kind of leaked out that we should celebrate Justin Trudeau’s victory by honouring him with the feather hat and it snowballed right to his office. Word of mouth, moccasin telegraph, still really works right to today.”

Littlelight says they were surprised to hear back from Trudeau that he would visit the First Nation in spring.

On Friday, Trudeau will be presented with a ceremonial headdress in a by-invitation only afternoon ceremony (necessitated by security reasons). The medicine men are working with the Elders and community members on whether Trudeau will receive an honourary name as well, but that, says Littlelight, will be decided “in ceremony. If it happens, it will happen.”

The headdress symbolizes courage, accomplishment, bravery and peace.

“Having those foundations allows a community to grow, allows a nation to grow in prosperity,” said Littlelight.

Also to be honoured with a headdress is Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde.

“He’s well-versed in our issues and he’s well-versed in the sphere of politics in Canada,” said Littlelight. He adds that while he “didn’t see any memos,” he is confident Bellegarde played a “humble part” in getting Trudeau to come to Tsuut’ina.

Trudeau will informally meet with Chief Roy Whitney-Onespot and council at approximately 11 a.m. in what Littlelight says is going to be “candid” discussion. Among the topics he expects to be brought up are murdered and missing Indigenous women, economic development, housing, education and Treaty issues.

“It’s not a session of, ‘These are all the syndromes we have.’ We’re going to clarify the issues that affect us as a Nation, that affect the Aboriginal population in Canada,” said Littlelight. “We’re going to really try to showcase and have a road map of business endeavours, too.”

Tsuut’ina was recently recognized by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business with an Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation award for its successful negotiations with the City of Calgary to sell land for the creation of a ring road on the southwest side of the city. Several market studies commissioned by Tsuut’ina demonstrated significant development opportunities with the potential of the First Nation collecting $703.9 million in revenue over a 20 years and generating a thousand jobs.

Littlelight calls Trudeau’s visit “monumental” for his First Nation, but he also sees it as a strong message to Indigenous people and other Canadians.

Littlelight says it was obvious with the growing political activist Indigenous movement near the end of the Conservative government’s time in office, that there was no partnership between Indigenous peoples and Harper. Trudeau has promised that will change.

“It was a great victory for Indigenous people, Indigenous rights … for all Canadians. The Creator gave us the change that Canada needed,” said Littlelight.

This visit bridges the gap between Aboriginal people and Canadians, he says, building a solidarity and understanding that everyone wants a brighter future for their children.

“Our greatest resource in Canada is Canadians and that includes us,” said Littlelight.

John Diefenbaker is the only other serving prime minister Tsuut’ina has honoured with a headdress.

“We don’t do this too lightly,” said Littlelight.