Crowfoot Public Library receives Indigenous blessing

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — In a traditional ceremony held at northwest Calgary’s Crowfoot Public Library, the building has finally received a blessing to bear the name of a historic Indigenous leader.

Along with family of Chief Crowfoot, elders officially supported the name of one of the city’s busiest libraries on Thursday.

“It’s a real honour for the family,” said Bert Crowfoot, a great-great-grandson of Chief Crowfoot. “It’s a real honour for the Blackfoot people. You know, when you name a building or an entity after your family, you want it to be something you’re proud of.”

Crowfoot joined the elders in calling the library a lodge of knowledge and added this is a good step towards reconciliation.

“I couldn’t think of a higher show of appreciation. You’re sharing knowledge, you’re working against ignorance, you’re making the world a better place,” said Crowfoot.

He said the ceremony was done the right way, with an elder blessing the transfer of name and exchanging tobacco.

Calgary Public Library CEO Bill Ptacek hopes this ceremony can lead to further recognition of Indigenous names around the city and will be calling on officials to hold similar events.

“I think we’ve taken for granted the name that we have on this building and this area. And realizing that it’s really difficult to do truth and reconciliation when you’re using names that you didn’t have permission to use, and I think what we did today was we fixed that,” said Ptacek.

The ceremony was also made more special for Crowfoot, as he was wearing a shirt bearing a pattern originally designed by his great-great-grandfather.

“It’s almost like he’s here, it’s almost like he’s witnessing. And he’s pleased.”