2015 Piikani Remembrance Day ceremony

Piikani School Dance Troupe at Remembrance Day ceremony

Chris Davis

Remembrance Day ceremonies were held at Piikani Nation School in Brocket on November 11.  The event was MC'd by Gordon Little Mustache and Lincoln Irwin and featured a Grand Entry Procession, photos of veterans, a slideshow, and speeches by Piikani Nation dignitaries and citizens who have been touched by the personal losses of war.  The opening prayer was recited by Keith Chief Moon.  Two minutes of silence was observed in honour of those lost in the wars.

Gordon Little Mustache and Lincoln Irwin

RCMP members were in attendance dressed in ceremonial red serge.

Tammy Giebrecht leads crown in the singing of O Canada

Jaron Weasel Bear presented the Flag Song, and later, the Honour Song. Tammy Giesbrecht led the crowd in singing the national anthem. The Piikani School Dance Troupe performed to live drummers.

Students and family members with photos of Piikani servicemen

 Veteran's Addresses were presented by U.S. Marine Corp.'s Roy Crow Shoe and Frank Smith.  Piikani Nation Chief Stanley Grier addressed the crowd, reminding them of the sacrifices of their elders and forefathers in a multitude of conflicts.  A highlight of the event was a reading of John McCrae's "In Flanders Fields" in the Blackfoot tongue by Keith Chief Moon.

The Parent Advisory Committee Address was given by Christine Cross Child, and several other speakers took the opportunity to speak about why Remembrance Day resonated with them.  A wreath laying was followed by an Exit Procession.