On May 23rd, the Treaty Land Sharing Network hosted its second annual spring feast at the Davidson Farm near Alliance, AB. Participants began arriving early in the morning and many pitched in to help with food preparation under the careful direction of Knowledge Keeper Shirley Wolfe-Keller and her helpers, Buck and Joeanne.
It was a beautiful sunny day and a relaxed atmosphere, as Indigenous people and settlers worked side by side dicing vegetables, cutting up moose meat and beef, and unpacking juice boxes and water bottles. Gradually the veggies and meats were added to six huge pots of different soups, which were placed over an open fire and a couple of propane burners.
By then it was late morning and most participants had arrived. We were very pleased with the turnout — there were around 60 people, including Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and youth along with settlers from both urban and rural areas. Some participants were from the local region while others came from as far as southern Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, and Vancouver. While the soups cooked, we began a tour of the land and most participants joined in.
The tour was led by Ralph Davidson, whose family has farmed the land for three generations. Ralph guided us through some beautiful native pasture near the feast site and some of the Indigenous participants pointed out medicines and berries that we passed by. Eventually we made it to the top of a hill, from which it was possible to see for miles in every direction. Here, Ralph shared some of his memories and knowledge about the land — for example, why his family purchased it, where trees have encroached due to fire suppression over the past 100 years, and how he grew up tobogganing down the hill we were on.
By the time we arrived back at the feast site, the soups were ready. Everyone gathered in a circle and the oskâpêwak (helpers) placed the food on a tarp in the centre. Elder Bert Bull from Louis Bull Tribe then led us in a pipe ceremony and a blessing of the food. It was a beautiful moment of sitting together and giving thanks to the Creator. Bert also encouraged us to reflect on the long history of the Treaty relationship not being honoured and the work we have to do to share the lands as intended by this relationship.
Then the oskâpêwak began serving the food and there was more than enough to go around. While everyone ate, our host farmers, Ralph and Beth Davidson, welcomed us to the farm and shared why they had joined TLSN. In the words of Ralph — “I don’t think of myself as a landholder; the land holds me.” Then Brenda Bohmer, another TLSN member, shared about the history of TLSN and how it works, and thanked our sponsors. Following Brenda we had Elder and historian Bruce Cutknife from Samson Cree Nation stand up and share stories from the lands we were on, including the story of Manitou Asiniy (Creator’s Stone) and the story of how Flagstaff Hill got its name. Bruce’s stories complemented the memories and knowledge shared by Ralph during the tour, offering an Indigenous understanding of the sacredness of this place.
After these presentations we had an open microphone for anyone who wanted to share some reflections to the circle of people. Many people took the opportunity to say a few words. Among them, Knowledge Keeper Shirley shared about the meaning of the feast and expressed her appreciation for all the help she received. A Métis person from the nearby town of Alliance expressed her gratitude that ceremony had been brought to lands that had likely not seen ceremony for over a century. A local settler farmer shared how she was inspired from the day and was planning to become a TLSN member. Elder Nina Wilson and Winona Wheeler — two of TLSN’s Indigenous Advisory Circle members — expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to gather in ceremony and emphasized how important it is for Indigenous people to have safe spaces to practice their way of life. Reverend Tony Snow — a United Church Minister from Stoney Nakota First Nation — also shared his reflections on the significance of the day for reconciliation.
As the circle came to a close we presented gifts to Shirley, Buck, Joeanne, Bruce, Beth and Ralph, along with Bert and his oskâpêwak — Jamison and Chandler. Participants then gradually began to trickle out, although many lingered to help clean up and continue conversations. Despite the fact that some participants had long drives ahead of them, there was the sense that no one was in a rush to leave.
Afterwards, Knowledge Keeper Shirley (who is also a member of the TLSN Indigenous Advisory Circle) shared some of her reflections on how the day went:
This year's TLSN annual sacred ceremony the feast was once again a success. The set up was a perfect place, as it was for last year's as well. The importance of having the traditional feast was well respected by everyone who attended. The cultural acknowledgement of our sacred and spiritual feast and lands was respected and much learning took place. To observe and witness the people gathered was something that brought much satisfaction. Everyone had a task to do and they learned it and accepted the rules and hard work in preparing the feast meal with all the protocols to follow. They learned where to sit in the circle and waited patiently as the Elder blessed the food of many varieties — the main foods being soup, bannock, tea, fruit and candy. Through this blessing we gave thanks and acknowledged those ancestors, as well the earth, animals and medicines historically there for their survival; we gave thanks to the Creator and our ancestors, the first peoples of the land and settlers. Teaching and learning blended in well as the event went on. The medicine walk and sharing of the land and feast event was a learning time. The day was filled with everyone working, visiting, learning, and respectfully sharing tradition and culture. We honored our ancestors by having the feast at this time of year. TLSN staff and Committee Members filled roles in preparing and serving, as well as the oskâpêws, feast helpers. I was very pleased as a Knowledge Keeper/Elder to observe the effort put into making this sacred feast a respectful and successful feast and gathering once again.
Knowledge Keeper Shirley’s encouraging words carry significant weight as Shirley was gifted the protocols for leading the feast ceremony from her Elders. Further, the inspiration for carrying out this feast came from a feeling that Shirley received during one of our meetings, which she described as the spirit world telling her that we should host a feast. We are so grateful for Shirley’s guidance and patience in leading everyone through this ceremony with such grace, particularly given that some participants had never experienced a feast before. With support from Shirley and the rest of our Indigenous Advisory Circle, we will continue learning together, strengthening our relationships, and giving thanks to the Creator through hosting these feasts in the years to come.
We are grateful for the support of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the United Church of Canada, the Alberta Ecotrust, the Alberta Ethnocultural Program, and the Edmonton Community Foundation toward this gathering.