Alberta has a strong aboriginal history. Those roots can be seen here in Cochrane through our neigbours on the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina First Nations and through the legacy left by at least one Stoney elder.
Both in Historic Downtown and on the Cochrane Dollar, the depiction of Chief Walking Buffalo bears testament to the important influence aboriginal people had in this region’s history.
In the month of June, when all Canadians are asked to reflect on aboriginal culture, the role indigenous people play in our society and the past wrongs they endured as a product of colonialism, Chief Walking Buffalo is among the best icons of forging peace and understanding.
Over the 96 years of his life, the renowned chief bore witness to how quickly the lives of aboriginal people changed in the West. From the decline of the bison herds, to the formation of the provinces, to reserves and residential schools, his society changed in less than a century the way many would over the course of hundreds of years.
According to the Alberta Champions’ website, which honours Chief Walking Buffalo for being a purveyor of peace and a preacher of forgiveness, he was not always so understanding.
“As an Indian, I might have had great reason for hatred, but now I know that even I can forgive those who have wronged me,” he was quoted saying before dedicating his life to travelling the world to promote peace.
Racism, whether overt, casual or accidental is something indigenous people deal with in their daily lives. Regardless of the motivation or the intention, that translates into a degree of hatred they are forced to live with every day.
That combined with the traumas many families still deal with due to residential schools and the resulting social problems takes its toll.
Schools such as Glenbow Elementary School that hold aboriginal celebrations are vital to helping fulfill the will of Chief Walking Buffalo who desired to promote cross-culture understanding and acceptance.
With Alberta having one of the highest populations of aboriginal people in the country – one-sixth or 222,0695, according to Statistics Canada – it is in our best interest to improve relationships, not only for the good of all people but for the good of the province.
Aboriginal Day on June 21 is also an opportunity for all Canadians to take the time to develop a greater understanding of the history indigenous people played in the formation of Canada, the wrongs they were forced to endure and how all non-aboriginal people can help bridge the gap and end hatred and racism.
If only that could be a daily occurrence and not reserved for one day a year, more progress could be made.
