White Bear First Nations recently held elections for Chief and Council (June 14); for the first time in a very long time it was decided that a Swearing-In Ceremony would be held to celebrate their culture and to promise their community that they will do their best to serve them.
This ceremony was held at 11 a.m. on July 5 at the White Bear Education Complex.
Conducting the pipe ceremony, which blessed the day and the event, was one of the community elders, Michael Lonechild. The Chief and Council were joined by the Senior Management of the Band as well as the general counsel of the Band.
In Cree, Lonechild, essentially said that everything happens in a good way, that we’re all related, and that everyone agrees to do what is best for the community, while working together. Partaking in the pipe ceremony shows that everyone has agreed to this and displays hope for the future.
Following the pipe ceremony, introductions of Chief and Council were made. For the next two years Nathan Pasap will act as Chief for White Bear First Nations. He will be joined by a council of six: Debbie Anne Maxie, Tanya Littlechief, Bernard Shepherd, Dez Standingready, Brett Standingready, and Robert McArthur.
“The swearing in ceremony, which is the first many you have seen, is a new beginning; it marks a new term and a new way of doing things,” Lonechild told the crowd. “Today we honour the new Chief and Councillors.”
“Former Chief Brian Standingready is an honourable man and he has served our community for a very long time. He spoke for us. He fought for us. We thank him for all he did. Now we have a new leader, Nathan Pasap, and we have come here to honour him and to encourage him to do a good job.”
In the crowd were community elders, family members of the newly elected Chief and Council, former chiefs and councillors, staff from the administration and health departments, and community members.
Southeast drummers, Wooden Face, sang the “Honour Song” to mark the occasion before the Chief and Council took the opportunity to thank everyone for their support.
Former Chief Bernard Shepherd allowed Pasap to wear his headdress during the ceremony: “There are a lot of protocols to honour with headdresses,” Shepherd explained. “This one will stay in my family, but we are able to use it today and it is a great honour to lend it to Nathan for this ceremony.”
Chief Pasap then spoke to the crowd, “I thank the Creator for giving us life and for allowing us to gather today and share a meal. Thank you all for coming out today to celebrate our elected leadership. It is an honour to serve you as Chief and I will do my best to do what needs to be done these next two years. We will focus on strengthening our community as that is the responsibility we have as leadership. I also want to thank elder Michael Lonechild for bringing his pipe and doing the pipe ceremony for us. Thanks to the grandmothers, grandfathers, and all that came before us. Being elected chief is a very humbling experience and I will remain humble, respectful, and will work hard for our people over the next two years.”
Councillor Maxie added, “Thank you for allowing me to serve on council for White Bear. Together we will build a better community. We believe in the people of White Bear.”
Councillor Littlechief was said, “I’m honoured to sit here and be one of the women elected to represent our people. I would like to acknowledge our past leadership and wish them the best; I know that they will be there for us if we are in need. Myself, I will try my hardest for everyone, but especially the youth, I have a heart for them.”
Councillor Brett Standingready added, “I’ve lived in White Bear my whole life and because of that I know what needs to be done and I will do my best in the most respectful way.
Councillor Shepherd stated, “I’m older than these guys here, but I’m still learning. We’re all still learning. Thank you to everyone for the opportunity to lead White Bear again. It is a large and powerful community, both on and off the reserve, and I’m looking forward to the future. I will do my best to support council and support Nathan and his vision for our great community.”
Councillor Dez Standingready said, “Thank you everyone for believeing in us. I’m here to serve the best interest of the Nation with an open heart, an open mind, and an open door.”
Councillor McArthur explained, “That song [the Honour Song] is telling the universe that this is hard to do. I would like to congratulate the new Chief, Nathan as a tough road ahead of him. I noticed in our first week that we’re separated and we need this to change, individuals like ourselves want to help, and we will to our best to lead that change. People are critical, and have been like that for years, and we forget to support Chief and Council from the outside, so I hope that we can all come together. I want for us to change, to become healthier and to see where we want to go in the future and do it. Two years is not a lot of time to be able to change much, it’s a learning process, but we will do the best we can standing shoulder to shoulder.”
Councillor McArthur also thanked the past council saying “I never envied you once and what you have had to deal with over the years and thank you to uncle Brian, and former chief – but, he’s uncle first, for everything that he’s done for us.”
Everyone in the room then lined up to shake hands in a showing of respect and encouragement to the new Chief and Council for the coming years.
The ceremony concluded with the Band Office’s General Counsel, Jeff Howe, leading a pledge of loyalty to the community with the Chief and each Councillor before a feast was enjoyed by all, which was catered by Selina Shepherd.
Following the lunch, a presentation of star blankets was conducted. This is a traditional way to honour someone and a star blanket can only be acquired by someone giving it to you.
Lonechild concluded the ceremony by saying, “This is an opportunity for change; don’t look back, look forward for our community.”
