Help Keith Lefthand Recover Historical Regalia

 

[Video by Jeff Nelson. Photo of Keith's tipi by Jeff Nelson]

This is a video of Keith Lefthand operating a bobcat last summer. He and I were helping a neighbor of Keith's install a cattle guard. This video shows the character that Keith has. He is always helping others. At the current moment, however, he is in a bind and needs help.

[Photo by Colleen de Neve for the Calgary Herald, https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/indian-village-experience-a-century-old-tradition-for-family ]

Keith lives in Eden Valley Reserve - called Gahnah in his language of Stoney Nakoda. Eden Valley is about 25 km west of Longview, Alberta (which is where I live). Keith and his wife of many years are part of the Bearspaw Band which is part of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. They have 5 children. Keith has been elected as a Councillor for 5 terms (about 16 years), although he is not currently a Councillor.

In addition to being an elder in his community, Keith is a carpenter by trade. But the last 16 months have been especially difficult to find work. A few months ago, Keith ran out of money. This was due almost entirely to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a "short-term" solution to his situation, Keith got a loan and used a variety of traditional and family regalia as collateral. The regalia, as shown in the sculpture by Jay Contway below, includes beautifully beaded clothing worn by his father, Johnny Lefthand. Chief Lefthand is well known by those familiar with Banff Indian Days, the Calgary Stampede, and the community of Eden Valley.

[Sculpture of Chief Johnny Lefthand by Jay Contway, https://jaycontway.com/product/chief-johnny-lefthand/. Image used with permission from Lynn Contway. By the way, this scupture is for sale (but not as part of this fund raising effort). Please click on the link for details.]

Keith would like to reclaim the regalia, but he is without sufficient funds to do so at this time. The risk, which has dire consequences is that the items will be sold, and Keith will never be able to recover the historical regalia. In past years, Keith has had the regalia on display at the tipi village at the Calgary Stampede. He would love to showcase his father's regalia again this year.

Keith is asking for your help. Please consider a contribution of $200. We can reach the goal of $10,000 if roughly 50 people each give $200.

If you are interested in participating in an indigenous experience with Keith and his family, he is offering any one of the following to those who contribute $200 or more. Let me (Jeff) know what you would like to do, and I'll help to arrange the details related to a day, the time, and the meeting location.

• A horseback riding (or hiking) experience in the mountains close to Eden Valley. The view is spectacular from the hills right behind Keith's place.

[Photo of Darrel Wesley taken by Jeff Nelson with permission]

• An evening campfire experience and stories with home-cooked fried bread and other treats.

 

[Photo of inside Keith's tipi taken by Jeff Nelson with permission]

• The experience of sleeping in his tipi for one night.

 

[Photo of inside Keith's tipi taken by Jeff Nelson with permission]

• A cultural experience involving smudging, the history of his family, and understanding of his values related to traditional ways and the environment.

 

[Photo of smudge and rock taken by Jeff Nelson with permission from Keith Lefthand]

• A sweat lodge experience including an explanation of the significance related to healing.

 

[Photo of traditional sweat lodge taken by Jeff Nelson with permission from Wayne Wesley]

Keith is looking forward to hearing from you and sharing his culture, his history, and his stories with you. Please contact me via this GoFundMe page and I will connect you with Keith to schedule a time to meet him and arrange the activity of your choice.

 

Isneyis (one version of "thank you" in the Stoney Nakoda language) from Keith Lefthand.