Welcoming "Grandfather" ceremony - Edmonton Remand Centre New

If you have 20 mins or so, check out a new gallery on my website under Boller Photography Arts - Grandfather.  I did a photo shoot yesterday with the Solicitor General of Alberta.  The Elder Taz McGillis was facilitating the bringing in of a rock (Grandfather) that came from Colorado, USA.  This rock will be carved by artist - Leo Arcand, who will make this approx. 5 ft cube of stone into white carving altar.  The New Remand Centre shut down much of its work force for 4 hours to allow a Native Ceremony take place in bringing in of the rock. If you ever work with Aboriginal people, know that there is always protocols in doing what would seem a simple way. I commend the Stuart Olsen Construction for being respectful and accommodating to this process.  The slide shows shows invited guests walking with the rock through the corridors of the new remand centre. Prayers were always said along the way. If you see smoke from a shell, this is called smudging and is in laymen's terms - a prayer that goes up to heaven in the smoke. The smoke cleanses our mind body and spirit when smudged so we can pray with clarity. ( Its amazing)   It was one of the most amazing photos I have ever done in my life and was deeply moved. I am thankful for this opportunity. Although I was not raised in these ways, I am respectful for them and see how similar their ways are to the ones I learned. Enjoy!