The graduating First Nations students at F.P. Walshe school, from left: Rylee McDougall Stump, Kaylin Delaney, Jaylynn Little Child, Taeson Knife, and Chase Provost. John Bird holds a photo of his granddaughter, the late Tia Shade, who was a classmate of the grads.
F.P. Walshe school sent its graduating First Nations students off Thursday with an important cultural symbol and encouragement to try new things without fear.
The school held its annual eagle feather blessing ceremony for graduating students Rylee McDougall Stump, Kaylin Delaney, Jaylynn Little Child, Taeson Knife, Chase Provost, Leighton Provost and Theron North Peigan.
Family and friends were on hand for the ceremony and an address by Tristan Black Water, a Blood Tribe member who graduated from F.P. Walshe school in 2017.
“I didn’t have anything figured out,” Black Water told the grads. “I didn’t know where I was going to go in life.”
It took a few false starts before Black Water found the path that has him serving his home community as a member of Blood Tribe Police.
Black Water told the students about his first venture after graduation to study agriculture at Lethbridge College, where he discovered that was not his calling in life.
From there, Black Water moved to Toronto to attend film school, but found himself missing his family and home community.
Black Water moved home and with encouragement from his mother and father, as well as other adults, eventually found his way to the Blood Tribe Police.
“I wanted to get into a position in my community where I could help people,” Black Water said.
With support from several people Black Water was able to complete the necessary training to become a police officer.
Soon he was on patrol, interacting with people of the Blood Tribe who were often at the lowest point in their lives.
“Every individual, I tried to treat with respect,” Black Water said.
That’s a lesson he tries to impart to new people in a position as a trainer with Blood Tribe Police.
Black Water told the grads that back in 2017 he never imagined he would be in the position he is now.
“I’m very thankful for all the people who have supported me,” Black Water said.
Black Water encouraged the students to be open to new opportunities, to try new things and keep moving forward until they find a place in life where they are happy and productive.
F.P. Walshe school elder Shane Little Bear carried out a blessing ceremony for the students, who were presented with an eagle feather.
The eagle feather is the most significant symbol in First Nations culture, and will help students soar above the storms they may encounter in life.
Little Bear congratulated the students for reaching graduation, and thanked the teachers and family members for supporting the young people through that journey.
Little Bear told the students to always remember where they are and where they come from, and to hold on to their culture.
“There was a time we just about lost our culture, our bundles, our ways,” Little Bear said.
Elders such as the late Peter Strikes With A Gun, who for years did the eagle feather blessing ceremony at F.P. Walshe, were instrumental in preserving and reviving the Blackfoot ways.
Little Bear said he is grateful for that, and urged the students to remember their home communities.
“Come home and help our people,” Little Bear told the students. “Work with your people.”
