Wedding under God's green pines

Page 6

EDITORIAL

The traditional wedding held at last week's ecumenical conference on the Morley Reserve was indeed a site to behold. All those fortunate enough to watch it walked away feeling they'd witnessed a profound display of what love really is.

The rigidity and pomp of the church was absent. Instead, some 60 to 80 people crowded into Albert Lightning's buffalo-painted tipi and sat on the blankets or furs in a very relaxed way.

And though the ceremony was sacred, cameras clicked away throughout the event. Albert Lightning had something to say about the taboo of taking pictures at sacred ceremonies, pointing out it's time to begin recording such things on film. It's a way of communicating traditional ways to those who cannot read about it or be fortunate enough to take part in such ceremonies. The elder asked that the taboos be taken off and that such activities be captured on film. He is to be lauded for his open-mindedness and contemporariness.

Albert, who officiated at the wedding, donned a head dress and traditional hide coat for the occasion. The bride, resplendent in white deerskin and beads, joked that the elder had outdressed even herself and the groom.

And that's the way the ceremony continued. Albert regaled the audience with anecdotes about marriage and the tipi echoed with laughter. The entire gathering was included in the marriage, instead of being reduced to stiff observers.

After Albert had said prayers in Cree, a most beautiful moment came when the groom sang a love song to his betrothed. He beat a skin drum and sang in a clear voice, reaching high notes at which the audience could only gasp. When he was finished he looked so relieved and pleased with himself that the audience gave him a round of applause.

The give-away occurred next and everyone filed out of the tipi chattering away and offering the couple their congratulations.

It's too bad that the church fails to recognize such a marriage. In order for some denominations to sanctify such a union of two people the wedding must take place within the walls of a church. If the wedding takes place outside in a cathedral of God's green pine trees, the matrimony is not legitimate.

Be that as it may, I'm sure the Creator was watching over the little tipi ceremony at Morley and giving it His blessing.