The City of Chestermere held its first Indigenous land acknowledgement ceremony at the beginning of the Sept. 7 regular meeting of council.
“The City of Chestermere is pleased to acknowledge our relationship with the Indigenous communities near us and we look forward to ongoing collaboration in the future,” said Chestermere’s Mayor Marshall Chalmers.
The acknowledgement ceremony came in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report.
Governments of all levels across the country are encouraged to acknowledge the treaty land they are situated on and to stand in solidarity with Canada’s Indigenous communities.
“As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action, the City of Chestermere is pleased to acknowledge our relationship with the Indigenous communities near us,” said Chalmers.
The City of Chestermere is situated on traditional Siksika lands. As such, Siksika Elder Kelly Good Eagle presided over the ceremony.
“Council officially recognized that Chestermere sits on the traditional Treaty lands through a blessing ceremony and the raising of the treaty 7 flag in Council Chambers,” said Chalmers.
“It was an honour to have Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Good Eagle from Siksika Nation join us to conduct the event,” he said.
The land acknowledgment ceremony included a pipe ceremony, prayer song and smudge. All members of city council received a blessing during the smudge.
The ceremony ended with the raising of the Treaty 7 flag in council chambers.
