Powwow organizer who gave Rachel Notley a headdress: 'I was feeling very generous'

Despite some negative reaction from Indigenous people on social media, the person who made the decision to present Alberta Premier Rachel Notley with a headdress last weekend has no regrets.

"I can be really facetious.. [but] the only one that has the right to complain about this headdress is the eagle. And he's not complaining," said Mary Ann Crow Healy.

Healy, who is Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), is the executive director of the International Peace Powwow in Lethbridge, Alta. The event, held annually for 20 years, is a celebration of Blackfoot culture and this year's theme was about building bridges.

On Feb. 23, Notley attended the event and was given the Blackfoot name Aksitooskitsiphpaki or "Braveheart Woman." As the powwow's main organizer, Healy said it was her decision to give Notley a headdress.

"I was feeling very generous and I was very grateful to this woman for wanting to come out to the powwow," she said.

I've been trying to get somebody to recognize the powwow for what it is. I like to share that because it's something just really beautiful."

Notley's attendance at the 20th annual International Peace Powwow marked the first time a sitting premier had attended the event.

The headdress transfer was shared on social media and drew mixed reaction from Indigenous people across Canada.

But Healy is not losing any sleep over the opinions of people who disagree with giving Notley a headdress.

"It's just a matter of decolonizing the mind," said Healy.

"I've been in the process of nation rebuilding for a long time. So it's like I've been promoting Blackfoot forever."

When asked if women in the region wore headdresses, Healy said "We are traditionally a matriarchal society."

Other Indigenous people question the practice

Wanbdi Wakita, a Dakota grandfather and elder, said people are giving headdresses to politicians in return for political favours.

"Don't give her sacred stuff when they don't know what it is and they don't deserve it," said Wakita.  

"What if she's out in four years? What is she going to do with that headdress? Hang it up or give it back?"

If Indigenous people want to build bridges with non-Indigenous people, Wakita would prefer if people gave gifts that aren't sacred items.

"Those are the things we all have to think about before we start to give stuff like that... Give it to our own people. Never mind white people."

After seeing photos of the headdress presentation, former Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs grand chief Derek Nepinak decided to weigh in.

"I wanted to try and remain as neutral as I can, because I've seen the Blackfoot people with their headdress tradition… and I know that their ceremonies are very important to them," said Nepinak, who is Anishinaabe.

"But then when I thought about it, I thought, well, my feathers came to me over many years and included a lot of different ceremonies including sundance, including many fasting ceremonies on the land."

Nepinak questions whether Notley has done enough in ceremonies to earn a headdress or eagle feathers. He also wonders if Notley will be able to take care of the responsibilities that come with owning a headdress.

Other politicians who have received headdresses include Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was named Gumistiyi (the one that keeps trying) and given a headdress by members of the Tsuut'ina First Nation in Alberta in 2016, and former prime minister Stephen Harper, who was given one by the Blood Tribe in 2008 in recognition of his apology for residential schools.