Run recognizes traditions and builds understanding between communities

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A symbolic run on two levels is how the two communities of Pincher Creek and Brocket celebrated National Aboriginal Day on June 21.

It was the first time since the day was declared in 1996 that Pincher Creek and the Peigan Nation have marked it together.

"As a community, we value your friendship. We value you as a community," said Pincher Creek mayor Art Bonertz, during the opening ceremonies.

Not only did the run give life to Aboriginal traditions but it also made that connection between the two communities, said Ken Williams, co-coordinator of the event.

Pincher Creek residents and the residents of Peigan First Nation have been struggling for the past year and a half since two young native men were charged in the beating death of a non-native Pincher Creek resident.

"We still have a long way to go to have non-Aboriginal people recognize our ways, our culture," said Margaret Jackson, president of the Napi Friendship Centre, in Pincher Creek.

The celebration is the effort of the Pincher Creek Napi Friendship Centre's Youth Services Canada Building Bridges Across Cultures program.

The building bridges class, which combines Natives and non-natives 15 to 25 years of age. Williams, who is also the instructor for the class explained the meaning of the run.

"We wanted to pay homage to the traditions that are almost forgotten," said Williams. "It's one thing to have a museum display with articrafts, but its another thing to bring something to life."

The run is a re-enactment of the pre-horse days when buffalo runners chased after buffalos over cliffs or to a dead end to allow hunters to kill the buffalo, explained a student, Jason Many Horses.

Buffalo runners were chosen carefully, elaborated Williams. They were courageous, showed athletic prowess and dedication. They were like Olympic athletes, he said.