An ancient indigenous skull found decades ago in southern Alberta has finally been put to rest in a full ceremony..Flanked by indigenous elders and Mounties in full scarlet uniform, the prehistoric skull was buried in a ceremony on June 22..“On July 22, 1979 a human skull was found in the waters of the Old Man River west of the Monarch bridge at Hwy. 3A. At that time, the skull was turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment at Fort Macleod where it was forwarded to Edmonton for further identification analysis,” said Sgt. Bryan Mucha, head of the RCMP in Fort Macleod, in a statement..“In October 1979, through the work of the University of Alberta (Department of Anthropology), the skull remains were determined to be that of an adult male of 60 years or older. The skull is quite old and was determined to be prehistoric, therefore indigenous in origin..“Once the study was completed the skull was returned to the finder for safekeeping until it was turned back to the RCMP detachment at Fort Macleod in 2017.”.Mucha said in March 2021, Fort Macleod detachment representatives started discussions with members of the Blackfoot Nations to determine the best course to ensure a respectful and proper re-burial of the skull..Kainai Spiritual Elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers was consulted along with other spiritual Elders and Sundancers, and a traditional burial ceremony was held on June 26 on the Blood Nation..The event was presided over by Elder Martin Eagle Child and several other Blackfoot Elders and Sundancers. A military-style salute was given by ex-Sgt D. Vernon Houle (Canadian Armed Forces) and Alvin Many Chief, Retired (Canadian Armed Forces / US Army Infantry). Blood Tribe Chief of Police Kyle Melting Tallow, Mucha and Const. Benjamin Stubbe of the Fort Macleod RCMP Detachment were also present..“The ceremony included wrapping the box containing the skull remains in a traditional blanket followed by a smudging ceremony and internment. Songs and prayers were sung for this ancestor of the Blackfoot people as he was buried in a small grave near where the Old Man River and Belly River merge. The grave is marked with a bleached white stone indicating ‘Unknown Blackfoot Warrior,'” Mucha said..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
An ancient indigenous skull found decades ago in southern Alberta has finally been put to rest in a full ceremony..Flanked by indigenous elders and Mounties in full scarlet uniform, the prehistoric skull was buried in a ceremony on June 22..“On July 22, 1979 a human skull was found in the waters of the Old Man River west of the Monarch bridge at Hwy. 3A. At that time, the skull was turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment at Fort Macleod where it was forwarded to Edmonton for further identification analysis,” said Sgt. Bryan Mucha, head of the RCMP in Fort Macleod, in a statement..“In October 1979, through the work of the University of Alberta (Department of Anthropology), the skull remains were determined to be that of an adult male of 60 years or older. The skull is quite old and was determined to be prehistoric, therefore indigenous in origin..“Once the study was completed the skull was returned to the finder for safekeeping until it was turned back to the RCMP detachment at Fort Macleod in 2017.”.Mucha said in March 2021, Fort Macleod detachment representatives started discussions with members of the Blackfoot Nations to determine the best course to ensure a respectful and proper re-burial of the skull..Kainai Spiritual Elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers was consulted along with other spiritual Elders and Sundancers, and a traditional burial ceremony was held on June 26 on the Blood Nation..The event was presided over by Elder Martin Eagle Child and several other Blackfoot Elders and Sundancers. A military-style salute was given by ex-Sgt D. Vernon Houle (Canadian Armed Forces) and Alvin Many Chief, Retired (Canadian Armed Forces / US Army Infantry). Blood Tribe Chief of Police Kyle Melting Tallow, Mucha and Const. Benjamin Stubbe of the Fort Macleod RCMP Detachment were also present..“The ceremony included wrapping the box containing the skull remains in a traditional blanket followed by a smudging ceremony and internment. Songs and prayers were sung for this ancestor of the Blackfoot people as he was buried in a small grave near where the Old Man River and Belly River merge. The grave is marked with a bleached white stone indicating ‘Unknown Blackfoot Warrior,'” Mucha said..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
