National Chief Cindy Woodhouse participated in a headdress transfer ceremony on Jan. 1 following an invite from Elder Leonard Weasel Traveller and Chief Troy Knowlton of the Piikani Nation.
“We’ve come together today to honour our National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse as she championed the $43 billion settlement for child welfare and has stepped into a very important national leadership position. Through the headdress ceremony, we’re providing her support as she fulfills the mandate in helping and advocating our First Nation communities,” said Chief Troy Knowlton of the Piikani Nation.
The headdress transfer is one of the highest honours among First Nations ceremonies for leadership. It validates and celebrates Chiefs’ achievements, as the eagle feathers that make up the headdress are sacred and have been blessed to help support leadership in their travels and challenges.
“What a beautiful way to start off 2024. I am so blessed and honoured to receive this headdress. I am humbled, thankful and committed to live up to that honour as National Chief,” said Woodhouse. “I feel the collective energy and expectations of our people and am looking forward to our successes. We have lots of work to do, but when First Nation people work together, we can do anything.”
Woodhouse said she is thankful to the Piikani Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy for sharing their sacred protocols and worldviews.
“We’re raising our children in a better way, around our cultures, ceremonies, and languages,” said Woodhouse.
