At a ceremony held in Standoff, AB on June 25, 2021 members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Executive Team received the delivery of a sacred Eagle Feather, that will now be offered as an option for swearing to official statements and for providing comfort for those experiencing trauma or a crisis.

The Eagle Feather is a symbol of spirituality used in many Indigenous traditions throughout North America. In the spirit of reconciliation, the MHPS has committed to offering the Eagle Feather as an oath option, in support of numerous calls to action as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.  The Eagle Feather will be available to individuals for providing an oath swearing by a traditional Indigenous form of conscience binding. This will be offered in addition to the swearing on a religious text or making a non-religious affirmation.

In preparation for the ceremony the Eagle Feather was customized with bead work in the colors of MHPS by Indigenous artist Charlene Plume.  In Indigenous culture bead work is used as an adornment for items that are culturally meaningful and signifies that the item is held in honour and high regard.  When not in use the Eagle Feather will be stored in a Feather box made of Eastern White Cedar.  Cedar is traditionally used as a container for scared/precious items, and the box has a moose antler button, moose leather ‘hinge’ and tie closure.

Earlier this month the MHPS Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan was shared with the community, that outlines the Service’s commitment to building a stronger relationship with and improving trust between Service and the Indigenous community of Medicine Hat we serve.  Developing cultural competency and understanding is an integral part of developing effective policies that will improve MHPS service delivery when meeting needs of the local indigenous population.

"The Blood Tribe Police Service congratulates the MHPS in attaining an Eagle Feather to offer people the option in swearing oaths,” say Blood Tribe Police Service Chief Kyle Melting Tallow.  “It is honourable that they used traditional Blackfoot protocol by attending the Blood Reserve to have this sacred feather transferred to them in ceremony."

“On behalf of the MHPS, it is with great honor that I accept the gifted Eagle Feather in our efforts to increase our commitment to reconciliation and building trust with our Indigenous community,” says MHPS Chief Mike Worden.  “We would like to thank the Miywasin Centre, the Blood Tribe Police Service and the Blackfoot elders for supporting this ceremony and for guiding us through this journey.”

To learn more about the MHPS Indigenous Action Plan visit: https://mhps.ca/posts/post/2362

Media Contact:

Inspector Tim McGough
Support Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8415