President Deb Foxcroft and Vice President Ken Watts of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council presented Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a woven cedar Whaler's Hat during a gathering of chiefs held in Gatineau, Que. today.
A Whaler’s Hat had also been presented to Trudeau’s father, Pierre, in 1984 when he was Prime Minister, gifted by leaders of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, including Watts’ father George. Archival photos, taken by former Ha-Shilth-Sa editor Bob Soderlund of that presentation by the Nuu-chah-nulth leaders during Constitutional talks, were also presented to the newly-elected Prime Minister Trudeau.
Assembly of First Nations B.C. Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson welcomed the Nuu-chah-nulth delegation into the room where the AFN executive and the Prime Minister were preparing for grand entry into the AFN special assembly. Gottfriedson asked National Chief Perry Bellegarde if the Nuu-chah-nulth could present their gift to the Prime Minister. Foxcroft and Watts were then introduced.
Foxcroft spoke and explained the significance of the hat, woven by Mary Martin of Tla-o-qui-aht, and how this was completing a circle, as George Watts had presented Trudeau’s father with such a gift and now Ken Watts, George’s son, was now a part of presenting a Whaler’s Hat to Pierre Trudeau’s son Justin.
A Whaler's Hat is traditionally worn by people of high status. The hat presented to Pierre Trudeau was woven by Jessie Webster of Ahousaht.
Justin Trudeau became emotional when Foxcroft and Watts said how proud Trudeau’s father must be and how the new Prime Minister would set his own path.
Watts said he understood the position Trudeau was in, having to fill big shoes. Both fathers left behind substantial legacies.
“It was amazing and an extremely emotional experience,” said Foxcroft in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa. “Especially as we remember our past leaders and elders who are not with us today. I can tell you we felt their strong presence standing beside us on this very important day.”
Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the AFN gathering saying "It is time for a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations peoples, one that understands that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience but rather a sacred obligation."
Said Foxcroft “I now believe we have hope for a better future for our nations, children and families. How proud and honored I felt to be a Nuu-chah-nulth leader as we stood in this place as did our past strong leaders and ancestors.”
