RCMP sending eagle feathers to Sask. detachments

Saskatchewan’s RCMP is taking another step toward reconciliation, sending eagle feathers to be used at detachments in the province.

Sgt. Karen Pelletier said that for many Indigenous cultures, one of the connections with the Creator is through the eagle.

“So when a person holds an eagle feather, we know that we have to be truthful and honest,” explained Pelletier.

The feathers will be provided to victims, suspects, witnesses and police officers as an option with which to swear a legal oath, similar to how a bible might be used. Pelletier said it can also be used as a source of comfort.

The division in Nova Scotia started the idea and now others are moving in the same direction. Pelletier said this has been a two-year process in Saskatchewan.

She said the RCMP was asking leaders, elders and people at band councils, the FSIN, the Metis Society, and anyone they ran into about it.

“Any place that we went, we got feedback on if this is appropriate. A lot of times it was, ‘Yes, this is good. It’s better now than not at all,’ ” said Pelletier.

The feathers were obtained from the Ministry of Environment and were prepared by an elder from the Sturgeon Lake area.

“He prepared the eagle feathers and also provided all the teachings and such for the commanding officer and the other officers who attended to the handover ceremony,” Pelletier said.

Pelletier said this is all a part of reconciliation.

“It’s all recognizing that we have to move towards working together with our communities and specifically the First Nations and Metis communities. These are the Indigenous people of the land; they have that recognition over and above,” said Pelletier.

The Saskatchewan RCMP currently has 41 eagle feathers that are being sent out, but it’s looking to get more.