June 22, 2016
A private Blackfoot blessing ceremony was held Tuesday to celebrate the completion of the city’s Southeast Area Structure Plan.
The blessing, which took place on National Aboriginal Day, offered thanks to Blackfoot ancestors as well as prayers and good wishes for the future residents and businesses of southeast Lethbridge and those who will visit the area.
The SEASP, adopted by city council on May 16, outlines a long-term vision for the growth and development of southeast Lethbridge. A Traditional Knowledge Assessment was completed as part of the project, to better understand the presence of indigenous traditional use sites in the areas around Six Mile Coulee.
The assessment, completed by local Blackfoot elders and Arrow Archeology, highlights the importance of the Six Mile Coulee area to the Blackfoot people.
Not only was the area ripe for hunting and collecting native plant and animal species, but it was also an important entry point into the Oldman River valley system.