Division Education Centre gifted Blackfoot name - Aakaipookaiksi
The Education Centre has been gifted a Blackfoot name – Aakaipookaiksi.
At a Blackfoot Flag Raising/Naming Ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Blackfoot Elder Shane Little Bear revealed the name of the Lethbridge School Division’s main office building.
Aakaipookaiksi, meaning Many Children, was selected for a very important reason, he said.
“The biggest thing I was looking at was all of the children from the Blood Reserve and the Blackfoot Confederacy that were able to complete their schooling, and a lot of them came through the school system in Lethbridge and were able to complete and become leaders and teachers, and were able to come back and help our people with their education,” said Little Bear.
He added the name does come with a duty to support all learners.
“There is a lot of responsibility that comes with this name, with these children and teaching, and I think it’s very important with the name Many Children, the school and the teachers, they have a big responsibility, a legacy to carry. I think it is an appropriate name because you deal with everybody.”
Lethbridge School Division Supt. Dr. Cheryl Gilmore said the ceremony represented a key step in the reconciliation process.
“Today is a special day, as we gather here to be honoured with a Blackfoot name for this place, centred on the education of children and raising of the Blackfoot flag in recognition of the traditional Blackfoot territory on which we stand,” she said. “As we embrace the naming of this place and raise the Blackfoot flag, we are committing to work towards a future that is inclusive, respectful and equitable for all.”
She added it was a privilege for the building to be gifted a Blackfoot name.
“Let us commit to a future where all people are respected, where diversity is celebrated, and where justice and equality are at the heart of all that we do.”
Joel Tailfeathers, Indigenous Co-ordinator of Education, said the ceremony, which also saw Gilmore receive a Blackfoot name, Eagle Standing Tall, represented an important milestone for the Division. “This day is very important because it is also the changing of the season, and with the season of spring is now a renewal, part of our traditional Backfoot ways,” he said. “It’s been a very long winter and there’s no better way to give our building a new Blackfoot name, our awesome superintendent her Blackfoot name and raising the Blackfoot flag.”
Tailfeathers added he was truly grateful to be a part of the day, and highlighted just how appropriate the building’s new name is.
“Aakaipookaiksi is an awesome way to honour our kids and all the staff that do help and support the kids that we serve.”
The raising of the Blackfoot flag was equally important, he added.
“The Blackfoot flag itself is so important, and to me, to have the Canadian flag, the Alberta flag and also the Blackfoot Confederacy flag flying in front of the building from here on out, it ties into where we’re at in Alberta, in Canada with reconciliation and moving forward, where we definitely need to be honouring wherever you’re at, in whatever territory you’re in,” he said. “That way, our schools honour the traditional territories of the Blackfoot people. It’s a constant reminder for everyone that does come to the Aakaipookaiksi building to honour our Blackfoot people.”
Trustee Christine Light, who is also Chair of the Division’s Indigenous Education Committee, also spoke about the importance of the ceremony.
“It is the desire of the Board that this flag be a reminder of our collective history, a marker of how far we have come to arrive in this space, and a token of hope for the journey we take together as we shape a future of understanding, inclusion, kindness and truth, for this generation, and generations to come.”
Light also spoke about reconciliation, and the fact this process cannot simply be a passive enterprise.
“It is an intentional journey that can only be made if both parties believe the relationship is worth the investment,” she said. “The Lethbridge School Division Board of Trustees believes our continued relationship with the Indigenous peoples of the Treaty 7 region, the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, and all First Peoples of Canada is an essential and worthy investment.”
Tom Little Bear, who led the Blackfoot naming ceremony for Gilmore, spoke about the respect the Lethbridge School Division superintendent has earned throughout her illustrious career, and highlighted where it all started.
“Her first teaching job was on the Blood reserve – she taught in Standoff, and that means a lot to us, and our community,” said Little Bear, who also spoke about Gilmore’s commitment to students throughout her education journey, which also included a stint as superintendent for Horizon School Division.
Gilmore added the naming ceremony was a special moment for her – something she will never forget.
“It is truly an honour to be given a Blackfoot name, and the experience itself was incredibly spiritual – I think that would be the best way to describe that,” she said. “To be honoured in that way and to be sort of embraced by the Blackfoot community who honoured me that was an experience that I will always hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.
Tuesday’s event also saw Gilmore, Tailfeathers and the Division’s Indigenous lead teachers, Shawnee Big Bull, Melanie Morrow and Jenna Bruised Head, have their faces painted in another special ceremony.
Photos and video are published with permission from Shane Little Bear and Tom Little Bear.
Special ceremony
