Siksika hosts Governor General

Times Contributor 

 

Warm winds welcomed the Honourable David Johnston and his wife Sharon on Sept. 16, when they paid a visit to the Siksika Nation, to present the Governor General’s Commendation for Outstanding Service. It was to recognize the members of Siksika Nation and the volunteers from neighbouring communities who were involved in the emergency relief efforts involved during the June floods.

“We would like to welcome his Excellency Governor General Consulate and his wife to our traditional territory. We are very honoured to have you here,” said Chief Rabbit Carrier.

Rabbit Carrier said it had been 35 years since they had entertained royalty on Siksika Lands.

On their arrival at the Siksika Health Unit, the Johnstons were greeted by the Siksika Chiefs wearing their traditional head dress. Grade 1 students presented flowers to the Governor General’s wife Sharon and sang O’ Canada and a traditional song in their native Blackfoot language, before the entourage toured the Health Centre. The couple greeted the children with a round of high fives and handshakes and encouraged them to keep up their singing.

Post-tour ceremonies were held in the court yard outside the centre. The Blackfoot Crossing drummers, James Black Rider, Galen Bullbear, Radford Black Rider, Cole Healy and Trevor Backfat chose to sing and drum the Honour Song, Flag Song and Chief song. 

“We have gone through a state of emergency and surpassed it,” said Chief Rabbit Carrier in his address. “Siksika are a very resilient people and history has proved that. We will survive this incident and move forward.”

He updated the couple on the stages of recovery. 

Siksika residents displaced by the floods are now being moved to temporary ATCO trailers in the three vacated community sites. The final phase will be to arrange for modular homes to replace the damaged ones.  This will be supplemented by charitable funds coming in, such as the money generated from the Corb Lund and Ian Tyson concert held on Sept. 15, hopefully generating $40,000.

The Governor General was given an Honourary Siksika Flag to commemorate his visit. 

Johnston reciprocated with a traditional gift of tobacco leaves presented to the Chief.

Johnston addressed the Nation representatives and commented how pleased the couple was to see the children. He commented he is usually able to grant a school holiday for his visit, but he remarked how dedicated the children were to get on the bus and return back to their classes. He commended the nation for working together with their neighbours to overcome the challenges of the devastating floods. Chief Rabbit Carrier, and the Siksika Director of Emergency Management Tom Littlechild, were presented with a large written Commendation for Outstanding Service. The afternoon concluded with a buffet luncheon, and the couple viewed the flood zones prior to their departure.