There was a special presentation at the Living Sky School Division Elders Council meeting Thursday at the LLSD North Battleford offices.
The occasion was the retirement of the division's long-time director of education Randy Fox, after 36 years in the education field. He has been in that role since 2010 and was assistant director of education before that.
The elders were there to thank Fox and pay their respects to him in the highest manner possible in their culture, with the presentation of an eagle feather.
The eagle feather has great symbolic and spiritual importance to First Nation people. It was explained by one of the elders at the gathering that the eagle represents the "sky" and the thunder, and it is a reminder of the greatest power in the sky, the thunderbird.
Each of the elders had an opportunity to speak of the importance of the eagle feather and its symbolism. To First Nation people, the eagle feather is considered holy and the highest honour to the person receiving it.
A framed eagle feather was presented to Fox and also to Tammy Riel, who is leaving as principal of Cando Community School. She's moving on to Naicam to continue her career in a different school division.
A star blanket quilt was also presented to Fox, on behalf of Living Sky students, by two Cando Community School students. The quilt is designed in the logo and colours of Living Sky School Division.
The Chakita Boys performed an honour song, and Noel and the Cando Boys performed a round dance song at the end, which Fox and Riel joined along with the rest of those in the room.
Riel was emotional in her remarks afterwards. "I'm moved beyond words and thankful for all the time I've spent with you on council and each of you, as we've done things in the division for students," she said.
"I am forever changed and I will continue to seek guidance from all of you after I've left here and will be back many times."
Fox expressed his appreciation for receiving the eagle feather and the quilt and after the ceremony he admitted to a mix of emotions.
"When something like this happens you can't help but feel good about the work that's been done," said Fox.
"I'm getting a lot of credit for things today, I really appreciate that. As I said it's an honour, but I didn't do this alone. I'm really pleased with the support we've had from our elders and others who are either working in our school division or volunteer or help out in different ways."
He told those at the presentation he was looking forward to showing the eagle feather he received to his children and grandchildren and passing on the knowledge of what it represents.
"I'm really looking forward to talking to my grandchildren about what it means, and just sharing that and passing on some of that with them. I can't begin to know, obviously, as much as our elders do. But what they shared today helps me understand the significance of this and I can pass some of that on."
