Eagle feathers have been supplied to some RCMP detachments across Saskatchewan as part of the RCMP's reconciliation efforts. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan RCMP)

By meadowlakeNOW staff

RCMP Feathers

Saskatchewan RCMP holding eagle feathers to strengthen Indigenous connections

May 27, 2021 | 11:06 AM

RCMP detachments across the province are in possession of eagle feathers which are meant to enhance relationships between enforcement and their respective Indigenous communities.

Last Spring, the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment had 40 eagle feathers prepared by Elder Howard Walker for an Eagle Feather Handover Ceremony on June 21 at RCMP Headquarters in Regina. Elder Howard, Saskatchewan Lt. Gov. Russ Mirasty and former-Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Mark Fisher were among those in attendance. The feathers were then placed in red cases for safe storage and handed out to the provinces detachments.

In a media release, the RCMP stated officers were encouraged to connect with local elders and artisans to have the feathers blessed, smudged and beaded at the end.

Insp. Honey Dwyer of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Indigenous Policing Services said the feathers are one of the ways the RCMP is incorporating Indigenous culture into its services.

“We continue to work to strengthen our relationships with Indigenous people and communities in Saskatchewan. Delivering culturally aware police services provides the foundation needed to do this,” Dwyer said.

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Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment feather beaded by Cst. Liz Cook. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan RCMP)

With many indigenous cultures believing the eagle is sacred because it flies closest to the Creator, the RCMP believes these feathers represent a step forward in the ongoing reconciliation efforts. In Indigenous culture, the eagle represents strength, honour, respect, courage and wisdom.

Some RCMP detachments have reported it has used the feathers to provide victims, witnesses, suspects and officers with a spiritually-significant option to swear legal oaths on, or to hold for comfort.

Detachments partnered with Indigenous communities to have the feathers blessed and smudged have had events take place over the course of the last year. Meadow Lake Detachment Cst. Liz Cook beaded the local detachment’s feather using colours in the Medicine Wheel. She believes having eagle feathers in the detachment is a significant step in the RCMP’s Indigenous reconciliation.

The Saskatchewan RCMP stated there are plans to have more feathers shared with the remaining detachments across the province in the future.