Sharing Indigenous history, culture and a message of Truth and Reconciliation

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. POTLUCK PASSPORT: Blackfoot Elder Gertrude Spear Chief speaks to Coaldale residents about her life and culture during a presentation at the Coaldale Public Library on Sept. 20.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

As the country observes the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation with events held in the month of September, a small group of residents gathered at the Coaldale Public Library Sept. 20, for a presentation from Blackfoot Elder Gertrude Spear Chief. 

The event was part of the library’s monthly Potluck Passport, a celebration of culture and cuisine, with a focus this month on Blackfoot and Cree Nations.      

“We asked if she would come in and tell traditional Blackfoot stories and share a little bit about her life, as a way of recognizing the history of Indigenous People in Canada and also to provide that educational experience for our patrons as well,” said Chiara Gilbert, program coordinator at the Coaldale Public Library.  

Spear Chief shared about Blackfoot traditions, culture and a bit about upbringing, both as a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy from the Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe) and as a Residential School survivor.  

“The idea of the Residential School was to take the Indian out of the child. We were not to speak our language, we were not to have anything to do with our family,” said Spear Chief, noting she does not like this time of year, as it brings back memories of being picked up to go back to school. “So we would be sent to school and we wouldn’t see our parents for 10 months.”

The 79-year old Blackfoot Elder opened her presentation with a traditional Blackfoot greeting and pointed to the upcoming National Day For Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, and the anniversary of the signing of Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing, which occurred east of Calgary on Sept. 22, 1877. 

Her grandparents gave her a traditional Blackfoot name which means Bluebird Woman in English. Spear Chief was stripped of that name when she was first taken to a Residential School and was told not to use that name again.  

“Your name is Gertrude Spear Chief, but you will answer to number 41…from here on you’re 41,” said Spear Chief, adding the number was also on every piece of school-provided clothing that children had to wear and it was a number that stayed with her from Grade 1 through Grade 12. 

“I would lay there at night wishing at a young age, I remember crying to be held by my grandma. She would play with my hair and she would braid it, but when I got to the school, they cut my hair off,” said Spear Chief. 

She shared about her family as the first of 11 children and of the strong family connections, including those with extended family. She also shared memories of their traditions growing up and about her strong Catholic faith today. Her grandparents were part of the sun dance, and Spear Chief had fond memories of  their traditions and culture while growing up. 

“I never lost my language and I never lost my culture…I still practice it to this day,” she said, pointing out that Indigenous Peoples need to be proud of their culture and need to share that sentiment with younger and future generations.

“Be proud of who we are, our culture (and language) and that’s what we’re telling the young people,” said Spear Chief. 

Today the Kainai reserve (Blood Tribe) has a population of 14,000 and has a land base of 350,000 acres – it is the biggest reserve in Canada. There are 630 reserves across the country today, and a total of 46 in Alberta. 

As the country observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Spear Chief noted the importance of the Blackfoot sharing their stories and their rich history with the people of Coaldale, and the need for Elders like her to maintain their language.  

“It’s important that we keep our culture, that’s our language, and our family connection,” said Spear Chief. “They need to know of who we are, share our culture and that’s where Truth and Reconciliation came about – that people need to acknowledge us.”