When Gitchi Nanakwad (Danier Andy) was asked to be the Eagle Staff carrier for Brock’s 115th Convocation celebrations, his first response was that he needed to sleep on it.

The second-year Brock Sociology student, who is Anishinaabe Ojibwe from northern Ontario and also a Peer Assistant with Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre, knows this role, while a privilege, comes with many duties and responsibilities.

The Eagle Staff — a sacred symbol that represents many traditional Indigenous cultures — will lead each Convocation procession from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14, before the mace or the flag.

“The Eagle Staff clears the way for everything that comes after it,” says Gitchi Nanakwad. “Its name in the Anishinaaabemowin language is Niiganninaatig, meaning, the one that leads the ceremony.”

Before flags were commonplace, an Eagle Staff would be used by different Indigenous nations to represent their people and honour the veterans or warriors of the past and present.

Gitchi Nanakwad’s role as Eagle Staff carrier requires him to live his life guided by traditional values and treat the staff as though it is a living being. He smudges it every day and participates in a traditional feast and ceremony that honours the staff every season.

“This is a pretty significant moment for Brock,” says Gitchi Nanakwad. “For me to be given the opportunity to do something this monumental for the community is very meaningful. It shows we are still here, it’s a sign that we are proud, we still have our cultures, languages and each other. It’s a reminder that we have Indigenous Peoples graduating in these ceremonies and Indigenous professors and instructors teaching us.”

The Eagle Staff was created for Hadiya’dagénhahs by Nipissing First Nation Elder Abiidaasmosede (Peter Beaucage) and includes four beaded medallions by Cayuga and Tuscarora beadwork artist Mary Annette Printup-Clause. The staff was introduced during the opening ceremonies of the Pow Wow hosted by Hadiya’dagénhahs and the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement in January.

Abiidaasmosede collaborated with Hadiya’dagénhahs staff members to determine the symbolism and representation in the creation of each part of the Eagle Staff.

This Eagle Staff is guided by the Anishinabek Seven Grandfather Teachings — Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect and Love — as well as the principles and values of the Haudenosaunee teachings of a ‘Good Mind’ —  being aware of thoughts and their intentions — to create a kind and loving circle of unity.

Although an Eagle Staff is not part of Inuit Culture, the staff also represents the guiding principles of the Inuit, working for the common good, living in respectful relationships, maintaining harmony and planning for the future.

The Eagle Staff represents all Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff and faculty at Brock, and outlines the responsibilities within the University’s strategic priorities to address Brock’s dedication decolonizing the institution from an Indigenous perspective.

The Eagle Staff will be present at Convocation going forward. Guests and grads are reminded to not touch the Staff.

During each ceremony, the Eagle Staff will be placed next to the lectern on the left side of the stage, facing east. This direction represents connectedness to families and the world around us, new beginnings and more.