A gift from the Beaver Lake Cree Nation community to the Lac La Biche community and its RCMP stands proud at the local police detachment.
A tipi, hand painted by Beaver Lake Cree Nation members — including the hand-prints of students at the Amisk Community School — was set up beside the police station on Lac La Biche's Beaverhill Road on June 21 — National Indigenous People's Day.
A pipe ceremony including Beaver Lake elders and leaders, Lac La Biche community members and RCMP members was held as part of a blessing ceremony for the tipi.
Beaver Lake Cree Nation band councillor Felix Lewis, an accomplished traditional dancer, did an honour dance for the event before saying how proud he was to be part of the project.
“I'm thankful that I'm here; healthy, alive, and here with you folks, I'm a proud member of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation, a leader, and I'm honoured. So honoured to be here and represent my nation where I was born and raised,” said Lewis.
Constable Joe Greer is the Lac La Biche RCMP liaison officer who has worked with the Beaver Lake community for the last several years. Greer worked with band members and leaders to create the lasting symbol of partnership.helped organize the event. While being recognized for his work, Greer deferred much of the credit to the Beaver Lake community, praising their hard work and commitment to the project.
Band councillor Shirley Paradis thanked the RCMP officer for his work with the Indigenous community and presented Greer with an eagle feather and a buffalo hide, to show thanks for all he has done for Beaver Lake Cree Nation.
“Constable Greer spends a lot of his time in Amisk School. Working with the children, helping the children, helping the teachers with the children, and joining all the events that are taking place, said Paradis, “He is truly dedicated to our nation and we see that every day.”
After the presentations, a mini-powwow was held where children from Beaver Lake danced and a drum group played a few songs.
The Lac La Biche RCMP detachment's commanding officer, Staff Sgt. Charles Brown said the significance of the children in the project will hopefully serve as a connection to future growth and partnerships.
“I want to than the children of Amisk Community School who placed their hands upon the tipi. The children are everyone's gift from God, and they are our future,” said Brown.
The tipi, which featured the art work of Amisk School's cyber teacher Billie Brereton and cultural instructor Clarence Ward, is expected to stand beside the detachment for the remainder of the summer months.
*With Rob McKinley
