An elder of the Bearspaw First Nation in Eden Valley opened his home to visitors for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.
People were invited to join Keith Lefthand in a teepee on his ranch as he spoke about the history and culture of the Stoney Nakoda people, and to learn about ceremony and regalia from his collection.
On the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Lefthand said he wants to see what more will come from the federal government, beyond a national holiday.
“I’d like to see what that is going to be, what that will look like. It’s going to be very interesting going forward,” Lefthand said.
“This holiday, reconciliation day, what is the next step?”
He said indigenous people know what they want to see, and that includes changes to education that is available on-reserve. Rather than waiting for years to see changes, Lefthand said he hopes things improve soon.
He said the best thing people can do is to learn the history of the First Nations people since the treaties were signed, and then they will understand who the First Nations people are and what they have been through.
“If people understand that, they will learn where racism and stereotypes come from,” he said.
Lefthand said the memory of the children lost at residential schools will be there forever, and he thinks prayers were answered when the first unmarked graves were discovered at former residential school sites.
Lefthand said he is hoping to hold similar events at his Eden Valley ranch in the future, with demonstrations and other activities where people can learn more about Stoney Nakoda culture and traditions.
For more information visit facebook.com/WeaselTailEnterprises.
