Blackfoot Confederacy Gifts Headdresses to City of Calgary Staff in Traditional Headdress Ceremony

June 19, 2024

Two City of Calgary staff members were gifted headdresses by members of the Blackfoot Confederacy at a traditional headdress ceremony held Wednesday, June 5 at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Mohkinstsis. June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, giving special significance to the timing of the traditional ceremony. Headdresses, which hold special cultural, ceremonial and spiritual significance, are a type of headgear that can take on different forms and meanings between Indigenous Nations, but often signify courage, bravery, respect and status.

The event marks an important next step in building relationships based on trust and understanding between the Confederacy and The City of Calgary that began with last year’s Tipi Project: a program that brought tipis from Blackfoot Confederacy and Tsuut’ina Nation, and a Métis Trapper’s Tent to downtown parks for events and programs during the summer of 2023.

Yesterday’s ceremony was conducted by Traditional Grandfather, spiritual advisor and Warrior Dr. Clarence Wolfleg (Miiksika’am), and Holy Buffalo Woman (Motokiiks) Leanne Sleigh acting as a Traditional Advisor, with Brave Dog Society member Jonathan Sleigh assisting. The ceremony was complemented with traditional drumming by Radford Black Rider, Jamie Black Rider, Cole Healy Crowchief and Randy Riding At The Door.

The headdresses were gifted to Indigenous Landscape Strategist Crystal Many Fingers (Nii’yooks’koohk’kimm’yaakii) and City of Calgary Parks & Open Spaces Director Kyle Ripley (Ksahk’koom’iina). In Blackfoot tradition, these gifts must be received by a male and female. The ceremony was held in a tipi with a Blackfoot design that was transferred to Many Fingers and Ripley last year.

“As a Blackfoot daughter, mother, sister, auntie and community member, I have been taught about the significance of the headdress to our Siksikaitsitapi people. I am honored and very proud to accept this gift today, especially surrounded by members of my amazing family,” said Many Fingers.

The headdresses are gifted to the individual, meaning Many Fingers and Ripley accept the important responsibility of keeping and protecting them, and the headdresses will not be on display to the public.

“I am privileged to once again be given the opportunity to take part in an important Blackfoot Confederacy Tradition and feel honoured not only to be gifted a headdress but to also have the responsibility for its safekeeping,” said Ripley. I look forward to continuing this part of our journey toward Truth and Reconciliation that began last year with the Tipi Project and advancing this work in a good way.

The Tipi Project provides Indigenous and non-Indigenous Calgarians opportunities to engage with Elders and take part in cultural programming. Project events offer Indigenous Peoples the chance to connect more deeply with aspects of their cultures and gives non-Indigenous park visitors the chance to learn about and experience Indigenous cultures and Ways of Knowing. The Blackfoot Confederacy and Tsuut’ina Nation tipis, and Métis Trapper’s Tent will be set up at select events and programs across the city from spring to early fall. Visit calgary.ca/tipis for more information.

NT6