Treaty 6 Elder Advisor - Richard Lightning
Richard Lightning is an Elder from the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Hobbema, Alberta. As an advocate of traditional language and culture, and certified Cree Language Instructor, he has dedicated several decades to numerous Boards, Offices of Trustee and various committees as well. Richard also served a decade in First Nations Politics as an elected leader in Tribal Counsel. Currently, he is the Director of External Affairs for the Ermineskin Tribe and has been serving as the Elder for the local R.C.M.P. detachment for the past three years.
His education began in the Residential School System in Hobbema, and he continued up to University Level Courses in 2003. After relocating to Toronto, Ontario in the late 1950’s, Richard found his beautiful bride and began his family. They returned to Hobbema in 1967 and today he enjoys spending time with his grand-children and great-grandchildren at frequent family gatherings.
Richard graciously agreed to serve as the Treaty 6 Elder Advisor for this initiative, and we deeply appreciate his valuable contributions.
Richard Lightning is an Elder from the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Hobbema, Alberta. As an advocate of traditional language and culture, and certified Cree Language Instructor, he has dedicated several decades to numerous Boards, Offices of Trustee and various committees as well. Richard also served a decade in First Nations Politics as an elected leader in Tribal Counsel. Currently, he is the Director of External Affairs for the Ermineskin Tribe and has been serving as the Elder for the local R.C.M.P. detachment for the past three years.
His education began in the Residential School System in Hobbema, and he continued up to University Level Courses in 2003. After relocating to Toronto, Ontario in the late 1950’s, Richard found his beautiful bride and began his family. They returned to Hobbema in 1967 and today he enjoys spending time with his grand-children and great-grandchildren at frequent family gatherings.
Richard graciously agreed to serve as the Treaty 6 Elder Advisor for this initiative, and we deeply appreciate his valuable contributions.
Treaty 7 Elder Advisor - Dr Reg Crowshoe
Dr. Reg Crowshoe is also known as Awakaaseena, meaning Deer Chief in the Blackfoot language. This was also his grandfather’s name. Reg is from the Piikani Nation in Southern Alberta. As an Elder and a Bundle Keeper, his father Joe Crowshoe’s teachings were instrumental to Piikani cultural preservation. His mother’s side was from the Nez Perce Nation in Idaho. His ancestors were taken in by the Piikani people when they came to Canada, to escape being forced onto a reservation in the southwestern United States. He runs ceremonies of the Thunder Pipe, the Sun Dance, and the Brave Dog Society, as a part of his traditional lineage and Blackfoot identity.
Reg was brought to the St. Cypriot Anglican Residential School on the Peigan Reserve. He later attended the University of Calgary, receiving an honorary degree. He joined the RCMP, and worked on several reserves in Saskatchewan before returning to work with the Peigan Band departments, and with the Province of Alberta in developing the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump heritage site. He has also developed cultural courses with the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, and has co-authored numerous works, including Akak-stiman and Science in the Native Community.
We thank Reg for his wisdom, guidance and contributions to this initiative as Treaty 7 Elder Advisor.
Dr. Reg Crowshoe is also known as Awakaaseena, meaning Deer Chief in the Blackfoot language. This was also his grandfather’s name. Reg is from the Piikani Nation in Southern Alberta. As an Elder and a Bundle Keeper, his father Joe Crowshoe’s teachings were instrumental to Piikani cultural preservation. His mother’s side was from the Nez Perce Nation in Idaho. His ancestors were taken in by the Piikani people when they came to Canada, to escape being forced onto a reservation in the southwestern United States. He runs ceremonies of the Thunder Pipe, the Sun Dance, and the Brave Dog Society, as a part of his traditional lineage and Blackfoot identity.
Reg was brought to the St. Cypriot Anglican Residential School on the Peigan Reserve. He later attended the University of Calgary, receiving an honorary degree. He joined the RCMP, and worked on several reserves in Saskatchewan before returning to work with the Peigan Band departments, and with the Province of Alberta in developing the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump heritage site. He has also developed cultural courses with the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge, and has co-authored numerous works, including Akak-stiman and Science in the Native Community.
We thank Reg for his wisdom, guidance and contributions to this initiative as Treaty 7 Elder Advisor.
Treaty 8 Elder Advisor - Dustin Twin
Dustin is a member of the Swan River First Nation of Treaty #8. Dustin has completed four years towards his Bachelor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He has served two terms as Chief of the Swan River Firrst Nation (1983 to 1985 and 1996 to 1999). During this last term he was also Grand Chief of Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council and served on the Executive Board of Chiefs of Treaty 8 First Nations (Alberta). Dustin also served as Councillor for six years. In 2000 Dustin was appointed by Treaty 8 First Nations as the Ambassador for Treaty 8 (Alberta). Dustin worked for Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta as the Treaty Relations Coordinator for the Bilateral Process.
Dustin currently works as the Elders Coordinator for Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta. He is also called upon to assist in protocols for the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs meetings, as well as the Treaties 1-11 Gatherings.
We are honoured that Dustin agreed to represent Treaty 8 as the Elder Advisor for this initiative.
Dustin is a member of the Swan River First Nation of Treaty #8. Dustin has completed four years towards his Bachelor of Sociology at the University of Calgary. He has served two terms as Chief of the Swan River Firrst Nation (1983 to 1985 and 1996 to 1999). During this last term he was also Grand Chief of Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council and served on the Executive Board of Chiefs of Treaty 8 First Nations (Alberta). Dustin also served as Councillor for six years. In 2000 Dustin was appointed by Treaty 8 First Nations as the Ambassador for Treaty 8 (Alberta). Dustin worked for Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta as the Treaty Relations Coordinator for the Bilateral Process.
Dustin currently works as the Elders Coordinator for Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta. He is also called upon to assist in protocols for the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs meetings, as well as the Treaties 1-11 Gatherings.
We are honoured that Dustin agreed to represent Treaty 8 as the Elder Advisor for this initiative.
