Teaching is Elder's most vital role
By Barb Grinder
Windspeaker Correspondent
PEIGAN NATION, Alta.
Allowing media coverage of sacred ceremonies may be frowned upon by some members of the Aboriginal community, but Peigan Elder and spiritual leader Joe Crowshoe welcomes such opportunities.
"Without photographs and stories about our traditions, they'll die out," Crowshoe said. "I don't see any harm in letting people take pictures and write about our traditions if it's done with respect. It helps to teach our young people about the Indian way."
The 87-year-old Crowshoe, now almost blind and deaf, has been teaching young people for most of his life. Born in 1909 on the Peigan Reserve, Crowshoe attended the Anglican Church residential school, graduating in 1928. Though he would have liked to have gone to St. George's College in Winnipeg, he instead went to work as a ranch-hand on the family farm.
He also became involved in rodeo, working the Canadian professional rodeo circuit as a bronc rider. For two years, he worked on the trail crew in Waterton Lakes National Park and also spent two years "chasing cows" on a large feed lot on the reserve.
"In those days the government only wanted Indian children to attend school up to grade 8," he said, "So I wasn't really encouraged to go to college. I really learned a lot in school, though I missed my family."
Though Crowshoe said he was lonely, especially that first Christmas he spent at school, he speaks highly of his educational experience, noting that he particularly enjoyed the summer camps he attended.
"I learned a lot about the land. We'd go up in the Crowsnest Pass, around Lundbreck and Coleman, and I got to know the mountains. We'd go fishing and walk a lot, and we played ball games. But we also learned about hardship in that school. Together it was an experience I think all young people should have today."
Crowshoe also learned about his Blackfoot heritage from the Elders of his tribe, particularly his grandparents. Eventually he used this knowledge to become one of the Peigan's most respected spiritual leaders and band councillors.
The respect he earned on the reserve has been reflected also in the awards he's earned from the white man's world. Crowshoe won a Citation for Citizenship and Alberta Achievement Award from the provincial government in 1989 for his contributions to the community. Two years later, he and his wife both were awarded this country's highest honor, the Order of Canada.
Joe and his wife Josephine have been married for 61 years and have 11 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Both have travelled to share their wisdom and cultural heritage with other Aboriginal people. Joe has been invited to China and Mexico, and has been twice to New Zealand, once with Josephine. Both at home and in his travels, Crowshoe tries to stress the importance of co-operation with all cultures.
"We have to learn to work together," he said. "And to do that, we have to understand each other's traditions and language."
Though Crowshoe thinks understanding other people is critical, he feels strongly that understanding one's self is even more important.
"It's good for children to learn our Blackfoot language if they want to," he said. "Lots of young people come to me to learn about the Indian ways."
Crowshoe's desire to teach people about his cultural heritage extends to the white man, as well as the Aboriginal. He gladly gives a Native blessing to open numerous Indian and non-Indian events and will speak about his traditions at schools and group meetings. For many years, he's worked with the Napi Friendship Centre in Pincher Creek to create bonds and understanding between the local residents and his own people.
Holder of both the Blackfoot Medicine Pipe Bundle and the Sun Dance Bag, he invites large numbers of people from all cultures to attend his annual bundle opening ceremonies. Recently more than 100 people attended a bundle opening at his home near Brocket.
Though such events are time-consuming and expensive-his last one cost more than $3,000 and took almost eight hours-Crowshoe hopes the practice will continue. His bundles, and much of his knowledge, will pass to his son Reggie, already a highly acknowledged spiritual leader of the Peigan.
OPINIONS
"I don't think it's right to be photographing the sweat lodge and other ceremonies like that. It's very strong on some reserves, Native tradition and our lifestyle and what we believe in and I believe it will be handed down from generation to generation. Photographs just don't have a place there."
Cameron Cardinal
of Goodfish Lake First Nation, Alta.
"The sweat lodge is a sacred ceremony and there's no way - in any way, shape or form - it should be made public to those people who do not understand it. For Natives that do understand it, it is something that they hold in high regard."
Darcy Knott
of Duncan's Band, Alta.
"I think at all Native ceremonies you should be able to take pictures and record. It's a sharing of cultures. How else is anybody supposed to know what they were about 2,000 years from now? How are you supposed to keep your culture alive when nobody's ever seen or heard of those types of ceremonies? I've never seen one and it's because nobody's allowed to take pictures."
Leanne Lennie
of Fort Norman First Nation in Yellowknife, N.W.T.
"Sacred ceremonies should not be photographed. Since it's considered sacred, it should not be photographed and should be respected."
Alberta Calliou
of Sucker Creek, AltaDear Editor:
I find it in very poor taste to photograph a person who is communing with the Creator (front page picture of Windspeaker, June 1995). There are numerous sacred places, objects and beliefs which are blasphemed by the media in order to sell a paper or to get attention.
If there are people out there who are seeking their spirituality, there are other means to go about it other than exploiting our culture. It will come to you...pray and smudge yourself with sweetgrass or sage, ask for strength, wisdom and guidance to follow the Indian way, the "red road."
Keep in unity with all creation; all things have a spirit. Unity comes through an appreciation of all culture and traditions, unity of our people through education, sobriety, spirituality, caring and respect for one another and for our fellow creatures.
Mitakaye oyasin, all my relatives.
Peter J. McArthur
Kisbey, Sask.