TRACKING CEREMONY. Roxanne Oka, Germaine Wells and Neil Mirau compare results on their Global Positioning System devices as they learn how to map ceremonial and other cultural sites. Photo by Francis First Charger

Red Crow Community College (RCCC) has created a unique, one-year certificate program that will train students to compile and document Kainai traditional knowledge. The First Nations’ Land Use Certificate Program accepted its first 16 students in January 2004 at the college, which is located on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta. It is being offered through the Kainai Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Study (TUS).

TUS Coordinator Francis First Charger says, “This is the first time it’s been offered in a college in Alberta.” The program will use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to identify historical, herbal, ceremonial, and battle sites as well as bison jumps.

Traditionally, the Blood people acquired and transmitted their traditional, Kainai knowledge through language, ceremonies, stories, and spirituality. Oral traditions ensured that sacred ways and ceremonies were protected.

Kainai Studies Coordinator Narcisse Blood stresses the importance of the program. “The land is such an integral part of our ways, our stories, and our ceremonies. This is where our ancestors are a part of the earth.”

“Far too much of our traditional lands has been destroyed, especially lands that are off-reserve (Blood Reserve) and unfortunately some lands within the reserve. It is our duty as Bloods to ensure the continuation of practices like gathering roots, making offerings, and vision quests. If we start losing our sense of history from our perspective, all of our stories, our way of life, will be affected,” he says.

The idea began three years ago and has involved many people, including RCCC employee Ritchie Chief Calf, archeologist Blair First Rider, and Francis First Charger. First Charger, the coordinator of the program, has administrative experience and is also involved in several spiritual societies and has been a bundle holder, a position of great honor.

In addition to locating and preserving important sites, the traditional land use study is expected to provide information that can be used to resolve land use conflicts, enhance tourism, and educate youth and First Nations.

Graduates of the program could find employment in vocations such as oil and gas, land management, agriculture, and forestry. RCCC President Marie Smallface-Marule says, “It is unique and available to other First Nations. The Alberta government would like to see more First Nations involved. We are hoping the information will be useful to many other tribal government departments like lands and natural resources.”

The program is supported by the Blood Tribe chief and council and is sponsored by Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Alberta Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Treaty 7 Economic Development Corporation, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Mary Weasel Fat (Blood Tribe) is the library coordinator at Red Crow Community College. For more information contact Francis First Charger, TUS coordinator, or his assistant, Lorraine Chief Moon, at (403) 737-2400.