Front row, from left: Elder Alma Brooks; Justice Minister Andrea Anderson-Mason; Elder Maggie Paul; and Premier Blaine Higgs. Back row, from left: Energy and Resource Development Minister Mike Holland; Chief Bill Ward; Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Roger Augustine; National Chief Perry Bellegarde; Chief Rebecca Knockwood; Chief Sacha LaBillois; and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jake Stewart. (Submitted/Government of New Brunswick)
Indigenous peoples will soon be able to swear an oath on an eagle feather in New Brunswick courtrooms.
The province is working to have the sacred feathers available in all three levels of court.
A ceremony to recognize the commitment took place at the Assembly of First Nations’ AGM in Frederiction last week.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jake Stewart describes it as a significant step toward reconciliation.
“The eagle itself is a sacred bird for Aboriginal peoples in New Brunswick,” said Stewart. “When they go into a courtroom, they want to have that option because it’s one of the spiritual items for them, the feather itself.”
The work started in November after Stewart met with Indigenous leaders to learn about the importance of the feather.
Stewart said once he understood how sacred it is, he consulted with government counterparts, who all said it was a good idea.
Although there is still work to do before the protocols for the use of the Eagle Feather in courtrooms are finalized, the ceremony recognizing this commitment was scheduled to coincide with the Assembly of First Nations’ annual general assembly. pic.twitter.com/MEYsf3MOTa
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) July 26, 2019
A committee consisting of elders, First Nation leaders and government staff was formed early in 2019, he said.
Stewart hopes eagle feathers will be available in courtrooms later this year but adds they want to ensure it is done properly and respectfully.
“We only get one chance to do it the right way and we have to use the elders and their knowledge every step of the way,” he said.
Stewart said they will have “appropriate cultural protocols” in place for the feather’s use and staff will be given cultural sensitivity training.
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