CALGARY - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to receive an honorary headdress at a First Nation southwest of Calgary today.
Trudeau, who has called inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde are to be honoured at an elaborate ceremony at the Tsuu T'ina Nation.
The headdress, or war bonnet, that will be presented to Trudeau symbolizes accomplishment, respect, bravery and peace building.
The Tsuu T'ina Nation said in a news release that Trudeau accepted an invitation to formally meet with and be briefed on First Nations issues including missing and murdered aboriginal women, adequate water, social programming and economic development.
The First Nation rarely bestows ceremonial headdresses upon sitting prime ministers, though other Canadian leaders have received similar honours from other bands.
In 2011, the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta named then-prime minister Stephen Harper the band's honorary chief and gave him a headdress of eagle feathers.
