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Summary
By Andrea Smith
Windspeaker Contributor
EDMONTON
“Don’t be afraid.” That’s the end-of-year advice of Brittney Pastion, the very first Northlands Indigenous Princess, crowned during K-Days this past July.
She says take a leap of faith toward your goals. “I started my journey back to my roots when I was 17. It was my final year of high school and, at that point, I didn’t think it was attainable for me to speak my language or attend ceremonies… Well, I danced in a ceremony this past summer. I danced in my first Sun dance,” she told Windspeaker.
Pastion, who is a member of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Alberta, is now 22 and completely immersed in her culture. She is Cree, Dene and Sioux.
As part of her role as Northlands Indigenous Princess she is passing along her cultural knowledge to the people she meets, and organizing events which will also facilitate that sharing.
Her official job description is Northlands Indigenous Programming Coordinator, which is part of the Indigenous Princess package. It’s been a busy half year and with a steep learning curve.
“One big event I went to was the Canadian Finals Rodeo. At first it felt very intimidating, considering I’m like this very ‘cultural’ Princess in a sea of cowboys and cowgirls. So I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.
Pastion was afraid of the duty in front of her at that point, but she found people were welcoming and open with her. She met volunteers, officials, and VIP members, and was given awards to hand out to people.
While there she also made contacts with news outlets like the CBC, a major benefit to her because she had just graduated from a TV broadcasting program at NAIT during the spring, just a few short months before taking the K-Days crown.
Pastion was even invited to sing the national anthem, she said.
“I’m the type of person, if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it right… I sang the national anthem in Cree. That was the biggest thing I did within my week,” said Pastion.
Pastion took only 10-days to learn the song, with the help of her boyfriend, a Cree language instructor. She surprised herself at how quickly she learned it. She believes there was something at work in that process beyond having a good language teacher involved.
Pastion has a spirit name that she received at a sweatlodge ceremony a few years ago. She believes her spirit really comes alive when she is singing.
“That part of my spirit—that ‘Beautiful Singing Earth Morning Star Woman—it really did help me. I think that’s what ultimately helped me learn it,” said Pastion.
“I catch on faster when I’m singing in my language. It’s a powerful experience,” she said.
Outside of her role as the Indigenous Princess, Pastion has an interest in social issues. She’s attended various walks for different causes, specifically ones to bring attention to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and the Solidarity for Standing Rock walk.
She participated as a jingle-dancer in a flash mob Round Dance for Standing Rock at West Edmonton Mall recently. Because jingle-dancing is considered a healing dance, the organizers were more than happy to let her bring that kind of positive energy to the scene, she said.
And while she didn’t attend as part of her role as the Northlands Indigenous Princess, she hopes that role and her passion for social justice will have a chance to coincide more.
“It’s a very humbling experience. I’m very proud and happy that I’m recognized as a role model. And as a representative for my people,” said Pastion.
“I’m excited for this program, and for Edmonton to be educated. We have an awesome mayor. And we have a lot of things going on for Truth and Reconciliation. I believe this is a step towards that,” she said.
For more information, follow Brittney at https://www.facebook.com/NorthlandsIndigenousPrincess/