Cowboy hat and headdress: Trudeau welcomed, but chiefs challenge him to deliver

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been honoured by a southern Alberta First Nation, but aboriginal leaders also challenged him to deliver on his promises to Indigenous People.

Trudeau was presented with a black cowboy hat, a fringed black jacket and an honorary headdress at an elaborate ceremony on the Tsuu T’ina reserve southwest of Calgary.

The headdress presented to Trudeau symbolizes accomplishment, respect, bravery and peace-building. Trudeau was named Gumistiyi, which means “the one that keeps trying,” and seemed moved as he sat in the circle during the ceremony.

There were at least 100 in the audience, the event invite-only as they marked a new beginning.

“I can say without a doubt, that I will remember this ceremony and cherish this experience, always,” Trudeau told the crowd. “We will make significant achievements in the coming days and months. But this is a work that will go on for years, and decades and generations.”

Nothing was off the table for the prime minister, who also met with Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde and the Tsuu T’ina Council Friday afternoon.

The group discussed funding, education, drinking water and missing and murdered Indigenous women.

There was a general sense that Trudeau is a man who will get things done, and that feeling was echoed by Bellegarde.

“There was a feeling of hope and optimism that we are going to start closing the gap in terms of the quality of life between Indigenous people and non-indigenous peoples,” Bellegarde said. “It’s all about making key policy and legislative changes that build upon rights, that build upon the proper investments that are needed to close the gap in terms of quality of life.”

Bellegarde says they’ll be looking at the new budget closely to see if the government keeps its word.

Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney told Trudeau that his election brings with it high expectations that the government will work with First Nations to overcome historical obstacles to recognition. He took Canada to task for failing to live up to treaties signed in good faith.

“We need to create an opportunity to develop our treaty relationship, creating a national-led dialogue,” Whitney said.

Trudeau reiterated that he is committed to renewing a relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

The only other Canadian prime minister to receive an honourary headdress from the Tsuu T’ina was John Diefenbaker.