Eagle feathers now available for oath-taking in New Brunswick courtrooms
CBC
People in New Brunswick will soon be able to swear oaths using eagle feathers in courtrooms across the province.
The province began its rollout of the Eagle Feather Initiative last Thursday at Fredericton Provincial Court, where the courthouse received its first set of eagle feathers from traditional grand chief of the Wolastoq Grand Council Ron Tremblay, also known as Spasaqit Possesom.
The initiative allows people to take oaths or affirmations using the feathers in lieu of a Bible.
“It's important for our people to have access to our sacred objects in these colonial settings to help them feel more at ease and so they can feel more safe and secure,” said Tremblay.
Tremblay said the feathers have been put through sweat lodge ceremonies and smudged to ground and spiritually protect both the feathers and those who come in contact with them.
Similar initiatives have already been implemented in other Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia in 2018, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019 and Prince Edward Island in 2023.
Although New Brunswick announced plans for the program in 2018, Thursday’s ceremony marked the first time a courthouse in the province formally received feathers.
Tremblay said the seeds for this initiative were planted nearly a decade ago, through work with elders in a Wabanaki Elders Committee working with the province, and he’s happy to see it come to fruition.
He said the initiative is a meaningful step toward fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, but just the beginning of the work he hopes to see in his lifetime, including restoring the Saint John River’s original name, Wolastoq.
New Brunswick Justice Minister Rob McKee said the initiative is designed to uphold the integrity of the justice system while recognizing the historical trauma Indigenous people entering courtrooms may be carrying.
“They might feel the courtroom setting intimidating so allowing them this culturally safe way to give an oath or affirmation is a step towards reconciliation," said McKee.
McKee said the initiative was made possible due to the collaborations with Indigenous elders and and leaders, court staff at Justice and Public Safety and the Department of Indigenous Affairs.
A representative from Indigenous Affairs wasn’t available to speak with CBC Indigenous by time of publishing.
McKee said all courtroom staff who will be involved with the eagle feathers will be trained for proper care and handling of the feathers.
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