It was an exciting day at St. Paul School on Friday, December 1, 2023, as two members of our Holy Spirit Catholic School Division family received Blackfoot names during a special ceremony put on by Blackfoot Elder, Andrew Black Plume and one of our FNMI Niitsitapi Facililtator's, Traven Weasel Traveller.
St. Paul's Principal, Mr. Myndio, and Grade 1/2 Teacher, Ms. Wilson, both received their Blackfoot names. Mr. Myndio received the Blackfoot name Pitokpiikis, which means "Eagle Rib", while Ms. Wilson received the Blackfoot name Motoki, meaning "Buffalo Woman". Both Mr. Myndio and Ms. Wilson are honoured to receive such an incredible blessing and look forward to wearing their names with pride.
The ceremony also included an Honour Song and Round Dance put on by Elijah Provost and other members of the Blackfoot community. The Round Dance saw all the staff, students, trustees and those in attendance join hands and make their way around the gymnasium to celebrate and honour Pitokpiikis (Mr. Myndio) and Motoki (Ms. Wilson).
Thank you to everyone who came out to be a part of this incredible afternoon. We at the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division are blessed to have such amazing support from our Indigenous neighbours and friends and look forward to continuing to grow our relationship for years to come.
For more information
620 12B Street North
Lethbridge Alberta
Canada T1H 2L7
www.holyspirit.ab.ca
