Medicine Hat police receive a sacred eagle feather from the Blood Tribe Police Service

By Teagan Rasche

'Reconcili-action'

Medicine Hat police now offer eagle feather oath option

Jun 25, 2021 | 3:55 PM

STAND OFF, AB – A powerful ceremony between the Medicine Hat and Blood Tribe Police Services marked an important step toward improving relations between city police and the Indigenous community.

Medicine Hat police can now offer an eagle feather oath option for anyone to use.

“We know the Indigenous community in Medicine Hat is strong and they expect certain services from us, as do all community members,” MHPS chief Mike Worden said. “For us, it’s ensuring we’re providing effective services.”

The ceremony consisted of singing, dancing and blessing the sacred feather.

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Now that the feather is in the hands of the Medicine Hat police, those in the Indigenous community in our area have the opportunity to swear upon something that has more significance to them and their culture.

“When we hire officers it’s an opportunity to affirm, to swear or use the eagle feather to affirm their hiring,” Worden said. “It will also be a support service for victims to use.”

The feather is significant within the Indigenous community.

Sacred eagle feather

Blood Tribe police chief Kyle Melting Tallow says to possess one, you have to have good character and great integrity

“The feather is held in high regard in indigenous culture because when you pray to it, you can rise to the Creator,” Melting Tallow said. “It’s the highest flying bird and it can soar high. It’s meant to carry your thoughts and prayers to the Creator.”

Brenda Mercer from the Miywasin Friendship Centre was also at the ceremony today. She says it’s a day she will never forget.

“It means it’s reconcili-action and actually doing this and working together with the police,” Mercer said. “I think it’s been a wonderful relationship for the past few years.”

While other police departments across the province have feathers, none of them have been blessed with a ceremony like today.

“It’s huge, it hasn’t been done before,” Melting Tallow said. “Also, Chief Worden got his Blackfoot name today. It shows a tie to the community and the culture.”

Chief Worden’s Blackfoot name is Natoyi Saaam which means Holy Medicine and is another great honour within the Indigenous community.