In celebration of Solstice

Our 4th and final Piikani prayer ceremony honouring and acknowledging the necessity of protecting and caring for OUR HEADWATERS

Hi all.

At our last ceremony held at Bill English’s residence on the Oldman River, and as we were gathered at the water’s edge visiting and waiting for Elder Morris Little Wolf to begin, we were suddenly greeted by the whoop’s and war cries of the Buffalo Runners who had arrived and were looking at us from the cliff above. I tell you…..that was moving!

With water taken from the very upper headwaters of the Oldman and contained in a buffalo horn, the Buffalo Runners have been moving downstream from there in relay sequence. Some are on foot along the river, handing off to a paddler who carries the horn in a kayak continuing downstream for another hand off to runners again.

This is clearly an exercise in dedication, stamina, and fortitude representing the significance and importance of the precious resource of our water and the land, these basic elements of life which we are graced to have shared with us by the Piikani Nation and Blackfoot Confederacy.

Moving on to this coming Saturday, June 20th at 10:00 AM, in harmony with the summer solstice of the following day, the final prayer ceremony of the season will take place in Lethbridge at Fort Whoop-Up on the bank of the Oldman River. The buffalo horn will arrive there carried by the runners.

Following the ceremony everyone is invited and encouraged to move up into town for a gathering at the Trianon Gallery which is currently featuring an exhibition celebrating Water. This is a beautiful compliment to these ongoing ceremonies and well worth seeing.

The gallery is located at 104 - 5th St. S., on the corner facing Galt Gardens park and opposite Park Place Mall. The gallery is upstairs above the TARO Noodle House. The entry is the dark door to the left of the restaurant entrance. See photos below:

We hope that you are able to attend. Happy Solstice and Happy Summer!!