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Poundmaker and Tsuu T’ina citizens take a step toward reconciliation

Jun 30, 2016 | 5:16 PM

A ceremony atop a hill brought two First Nations closer to reconciliation today.

Poundmaker First Nation was host to a delegation from Tsuu T’ina First Nation, June 30. The two nations came together for a dedication ceremony to a long ago battle between their ancestors at the Broken Knife Lookout.

Milton Tootoosis of Poundmaker Nation said these ceremonies are one way to look back on history in a more positive way.

“Yes, there was conflict with the tribes, but in the spirit of reconciliation now we need to move on, turn the page and learn from that occurrence,” he said.

The ceremony was to acknowledge a battle that took place on Poundmaker land in which several Tsuu T’ina people were killed in the mid-1800s. Two signs were erected on top of Broken Knife Lookout, the highest point on Poundmaker land, to tell the story of what happened between the Cree and Tsuu T’ina people there. The hill is named for one of those killed there, a famed Tsuu T’ina warrior called Broken Knife.

Tootoosis said acknowledging history in this way ensures it’s recorded and remembered. He said because many of the stories are passed orally through generations, many stories could be lost with this generation of elders if they aren’t recorded.

“I’m of the opinion now that we need to do something to document them better and package them in a respectful way following cultural protocols so they’re there forever,” he said.

The dedication began with a morning pipe ceremony with elders, followed by a public ceremony to unveil the signs. Tootoosis said Poundmaker Nation plans on having many more ceremonies like this one, whether that means they travel to other nations or host again, because acknowledging history is a way for everyone to move forward.

“As the elders taught us this morning in our ceremony, despite differences and the diversity of thought, diversity of cultures, diversity of opinions, there is going to be, (from) time to time, conflict,” he said. “But there comes the time you have to make up as well. It’s like a marriage; you’ve got to get over the the smaller issues and get on with the bigger picture issues.”

Gilbert Crowchild of the Tsuu T’ina Nation said because of the protocol of the ceremony, the people of both nations can put to rest any animosity that might have existed. He said now they can progress together and bring formerly untold stories to the younger generations.

“We can move forward and start to bring and mend our hearts,” he said. “We’re proud to be able to have this closing ceremony for what had taken place and to move forward with today’s leadership, with today’s nations.”

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.