CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A ceremony was held Nov. 2 at Fanningbank, the lieutenant-governor's official residence, as the Eagle Feather RCMP/MCPEI Indigenous Justice Program initiative was extended as an option to swear legal oaths.
P.E.I. RCMP commanding officer, Chief Supt. Jennifer Ebert joined Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry, along with Sen. Brian Francis, the Justice Minister Bloyce Thompson, Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation, Chief Junior Gould of Abegweit First Nation, Keptin Jimmy Bernard and RCMP detachment commanders and supervisors in a special ceremony where Ebert and the commanders and supervisors were presented with eagle feathers for their detachment areas.
The eagle feather initiative provides an opportunity for the Eagle Feather to be used in the same way as a Bible or affirmation and may also be offered as a comfort for a client when interacting with employees at a detachment.
All clients, including victims, witnesses and police officers, will have the option to swear legal oaths on an eagle feather.
Following the ceremony, all RCMP detachments in P.E.I. will have an eagle feather available.
Earlier in the day, Keptin Bernard cleansed the eagle feathers through a smudging ceremony.
At the afternoon event, Bernard provided an explanation of the significance of the eagle feather, and Gould offered a prayer.
Both chiefs presented Ebert and each of the commanders and supervisors with the Eagle Feathers to take back to their respective detachments.
At a glance
Eagle Feather background:
- When a client enters a detachment to provide a statement, they will be given three options; to swear on a Bible, affirm or affirm with an Eagle Feather.
- The Eagle Feather may also be offered as a comfort for a client when interacting with employees at the detachment.
- The Eagle Feather can be used by all citizens. Should the client wish to use the Eagle Feather, it would be held by the client while providing their evidence or statement.
