Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement upon being named an honorary member of the Kainai Chieftainship:
“I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Chief Weasel Head and the Blood Tribe Council for bestowing on me this rare and profound honour. I would like to offer special thanks also to elders Wayne Plume, Pete Standing Alone and Melissa Whitegrass and to all those who have contributed to this magnificent ritual. To be a member of the Kainai Chieftainship is to become part of a great tradition.
“To understand and appreciate it, I looked to Chief Red Crow. He was a strong leader in a difficult time of transition. He fostered new economic opportunities for his people while defending their religion. He instilled in them a fierce and famous pride in their identity, and I’m pleased to see that this tradition continues to flourish among the Kainai.
“It is an inspiration not only to everyone gathered here today, it is an inspiration to all Canadians, and it is an inspiration to me as Prime Minister. The Blood Tribe’s history and culture are unique, but at the same time, we can all identify with its values and aspirations.
“Your pride, your self-sufficiency, your tradition of reaching out and working with others to achieve good things together, these are things our government hopes to foster not only in our relationships with First Nations and aboriginal peoples, but in everything we do in our service to Canadians.
“Last week, we reached an important stage towards a self-government agreement with the Blood Tribe. This is a positive development for which everyone involved deserves credit.
“Another figure in the history of the Blood Tribe, James Gladstone, was the first representative of First Nations to sit in Parliament, appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Diefenbaker. This was a significant achievement, but it came after many years of hard work and accomplishment on Gladstone’s part. And it was not a mere symbol or a cap on his career. It was a new opportunity to keep working for the people and causes he championed.
“This is how our government views our service to Canadians, and especially our partnership with First Nations and aboriginal peoples. We will work hard to deliver practical benefits. We will welcome breakthroughs when they come, and we will view those accomplishments not as an excuse to rest, but as an inspiration to keep going.”
“As Chief Weasel Head note, in 2008 we reached a very important milestone together. In the presence of Canada’s aboriginal leaders, I stood in the House of Commons and apologised officially for the government of Canada’s role in the Indian residential school system.
“I know that the Blood Tribe was deeply affected by that system, and I’m glad to hear that the government’s apology was well-received. But, the work of healing and reconciliation continues, and we must also continue our work together to improve the quality of life of Canada’s First Nations and aboriginal peoples.
“I’d like to note another recent milestone. As a result of the general election of May second, Canada now has the largest number of aboriginal Members of Parliament in the history of our country. And I am personally very proud to say that five of those seven MPs are government members, including two who are members of cabinet.
“This is truly a great accomplishment which we can all celebrate. Aboriginal voices are increasingly strong, taking a greater part in decisions which affect us all. This is good not only for aboriginal Canadians, but for all Canadians who benefit from the wisdom and insight of the first inhabitants of this land.
“I am deeply grateful for the honour bestowed upon me today. It is an experience I will never forget. It is a bond of friendship which will inspire me in my service to you and to all Canadians. Thank you.”
