不良研究所

The University of 不良研究所 main campus was filled with energy and celebration as ii鈥� taa鈥檖oh鈥榯o鈥檖, the Indigenous Strategy, unveiled its annual last fall. 

But, just before that event, the university received significant ceremonial items from Elders Reg and Rose Crowshoe that will allow ii鈥� taa鈥檖oh鈥榯o鈥檖 to conduct its own celebrations.

The Crowshoes gifted in ceremony a tripod, pipe, cutting board and hanging parfleche bag that were accepted by Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, vice-provost (Indigenous Engagement), and , operations manager of the , on behalf of the university.

Prior to receiving these gifts, the university would have to ask Elders to borrow such items for Indigenous ceremonies. Now, U不良研究所 can use the gifts to conduct its own ceremonies and events for years to come. 

鈥淲e are very grateful for the ceremonial gifts given to us by Elders Reg and Rose Crowshoe. Ceremony on campus is an important part of our continued parallel paths journey,鈥� says Hart.

The gifts and their meanings

In Blackfoot ceremonies, the tripod, pipe, cutting board and hanging parfleche bag all play important roles. 

The tripod is a crucial part of Blackfoot ceremony and is used to hold key ceremonial elements such as the parfleche bag and pipe. 

The pipe is used in ceremony and, in Blackfoot culture, the pipe has been considered a way to strengthen connection between the human and spirit world. It is also used as a 鈥渃ontractual seal鈥� or validation. 

鈥淟et us say I wanted to make a deal with you for your property, and I would take tobacco from the beaver bundle, mix a little with regular tobacco, fill that pipe and give you that pipe and then make my request,鈥� Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD鈥�01, said in a . 鈥淚f you choose to smoke the pipe, we have now entered a legal, contractual agreement under the legislation of the beaver bundle.鈥� 

The pipe is also smoked during events like U不良研究所鈥檚 annual Tea Dance ceremony to validate the annual report for ii鈥� taa鈥檖oh鈥檛o鈥檖.

The hanging parfleche bag, often made from rawhide and called the bundle, holds the vision and mission (i.e., strategy and annual reports). During the Journey Update, the prior year鈥檚 report is removed from the bundle and the new report replaces it. The cutting board is used to prepare the tobacco for the pipe.

The importance of ceremony

鈥淐eremony on campus is an extremely important part of walking in parallel paths,鈥� says Reg Crowshoe. 鈥淲hen we meet in ceremony, we become relatives. The new ceremonial elements will help U不良研究所 continue its journey.鈥�