Blackfoot Elders sharing knowledge

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 20, 2025.

Many indigenous children learned about their culture and valuable life lessons through their grandparents.
With the changing of times The Blackfoot Resource Hub saw a need for Indigenous people to learn from their Elders.
On Wednesday they held a Blackfoot Gender Roles session where the women could learn from Elders Cathy Hunt, Velma Eagle Bear and Rose Fox and men were taught by Elders Roger Hunt, and Gilbert Eagle Bear.
Cathy Hunt explained how when one goes to an elder to learn, often they will share their experiences with the person, rather than directly answering their question.
“If you want an answer the Elder will think of stories and tell his story, while you are waiting for an answer and what they’re really doing is they’re giving you ideas and in that story there’s the tools you need.”
Hunt shared many stories from her childhood and what values she learned from her grandparents. She also shared the importance of taking responsibility for your own healing journey, but also how having a good support system is so crucial to the healing journey.
“(I had) my personal issues that I had to work through myself,” says Hunt. “I had a lot of people, not just my family, there’s people all along that is helping, even in groups like this.”
Fox says she grew up in a large family, but also had cousins live close by. Fox says she believes many people are missing the community aspect that was so prevalent while she was young.
“We grew up as a community because it wasn’t just our family, there were ten of us, but we grew up with cousins that lived across the creak and our neighbors and that’s what we’re missing today,” says Fox. “I think a lot of it is we’re missing that close community relationship.”
Fox also spoke to the women about respecting themselves in how they dress, talk and act especially around men.
“For young women it is so important to respect yourself and that means we have respect for the men folks-your father, your grandparents-we grew up with that.”
Fox mentioned how these teachings are especially important when it comes to ceremonial events such as Sundance.
“It’s important we as knowledge keepers, as elders in our community, that we pass these down to young folk, especially at Sundance.”
Velma Eagle Bear spoke about filling your own cup, before filling others. She says especially as women, we often neglect ourselves, because we are so busy helping others.
“You take care of you, because how can you take care of everybody else, your parents or your kids or anybody else if you’re not healthy.”
She adds how important it is for Indigenous people to be proud of their heritage.
“Be proud of who you are, especially in your heritage being native,” says Eagle Bear. “Step out and say this is who I am, this is where I’m from.”
There were many stories and laughs shared throughout the session and afterwards many participants shared how much the elders reminded them of their grandparents.
More information about the Blackfoot Resource Hub and their events can be found on their Facebook page.

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