Blackfoot elder welcomes Syrian refugees to Calgary by detailing atrocities committed against First Nations – Calgary Sun

December 11, 2015

It was an interesting welcome to say the least.

Some of the first Syrian refugees to arrive in Calgary took part in a welcoming ceremony Thursday, hosted by members of the Blackfoot Nation.

The noon-hour event held at Eau Claire Market-in conjunction with the Calgary Centre for Global Community- included a number of important and traditional elements from First Nations culture, one of them a smudging ceremony, where sage is burned and the smoke wafted over the head and body as a formof purification.

Even though it was clear they didn’t completely understand what was happening, the Syrian families happily took part, each taking turns to pull the smoke over themselves.

There was also a display of traditional singing and drumming along with dancing. Two very different cultures coming together as one.

Read More: http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/12/11/blackfoot-elder-welcomes-syrian-refugees-to-calgary-by-detailing-atrocities-committed-against-first-nations