Teaching young people Elder's most vital role

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Allowing media coverage of sacred ceremonies my 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 says. "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 go 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, following 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 at "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 says, "So I wasn't really encouraged to go to college. I really learned a lot in school, though I missed my family."

Though Crowshoe says 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 mans 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 traveled 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 says. "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 says. "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 Balckfoot 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-this last one cost more than $3,000and 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.