Powwow organizer who gave Rachel Notley a headdress: 'I was feeling very generous'

Despite some negative reactionfrom Indigenous peopleon social media, the person who made the decision to presentAlberta Premier Rachel Notleywith aheaddress last weekend has no regrets.

"I can be really facetious.. [but] the only one that has the right to complain about this headdress is the eagle. And he's not complaining," said Mary Ann Crow Healy.

Healy, who is Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), is the executive director of the International Peace Powwow in Lethbridge, Alta. The event, held annually for 20 years,is a celebration of Blackfoot culture and this year's theme was about building bridges.

On Feb. 23, Notleyattended the event and was given the Blackfoot name Aksitooskitsiphpaki or "Braveheart Woman." As the powwow's main organizer, Healy said it was her decision to giveNotley a headdress.

"I was feeling very generous and I was very grateful tothis woman for wanting to come out to the powwow," she said.

I've been trying to get somebody to recognize the powwow for what it is. I like to share that because it's something just really beautiful."

Notley's attendance at the 20th annual International Peace Powwow marked the first time a sitting premier had attended the event.

The headdress transfer was shared on social media and drew mixed reactionfrom Indigenous peopleacross Canada.

But Healy is not losing any sleep over the opinions of people who disagree with giving Notley a headdress.

"It's just a matter of decolonizing the mind," said Healy.

"I've been in the process of nation rebuilding for a long time. So it's like I've been promoting Blackfootforever."

When asked if women in the region wore headdresses, Healy said "We are traditionally a matriarchal society."

Other Indigenous people question the practice

Wanbdi Wakita, a Dakota grandfather and elder,said people are givingheaddresses to politicians in return for political favours.

"Don't give her sacred stuffwhen they don't know what it is and they don't deserve it," said Wakita.

"What if she's out in four years? What is she going to do with that headdress? Hang it upor give it back?"

If Indigenous people want to build bridges with non-Indigenous people, Wakita would prefer if people gave gifts that aren't sacred items.

"Those are the things we all have to think about before we start to give stuff like that... Give it to our own people. Never mind white people."

After seeing photos of theheaddresspresentation, former Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs grand chief DerekNepinakdecided to weigh in.

"I wanted to try and remain as neutral as I can, because I've seen the Blackfoot people with their headdress tradition and I know that their ceremonies are very important to them," saidNepinak, who isAnishinaabe.

"But then when I thought about it, I thought, well, my feathers came to me over many years and included a lot of different ceremonies includingsundance, including many fasting ceremonies on the land."

Nepinakquestions whetherNotleyhas done enough in ceremonies to earn a headdress or eagle feathers. He also wonders ifNotleywill be able to take care of the responsibilities that come with owning a headdress.

Otherpoliticians who havereceived headdresses includePrime Minister JustinTrudeau, who was namedGumistiyi(the one that keeps trying) and givena headdress by members of theTsuut'inaFirst Nation in Alberta in 2016, and former prime minister Stephen Harper, whowas given oneby the Blood Tribe in 2008 in recognition of his apology for residential schools.