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Joe and Josephine Crowshoe 

Joe and Josephine Crowshoe lived on the Peigan reserve. They were people who have spent their life working toward peace in their lives and their communities. When he was younger Joe Crowshoe studied to become a minister, but this vocation was not meant to be. However, Joe Crowshoe has worked with and for his community as a band councilor, as well as working in cultural exchange projects, which take him as far as New Zealand and China. The couple, even later in life, traveled throughout southern Alberta and in the northern United States. The Crowshoes had eleven children, and adopted many more into their families and their homes. Throughout all his travels, Josephine has been a constant source of strength and support. The couple has been a support to the community and have be advocates for peace and the environment. Although Joe Crowshoe has received criticism for his role in sharing the culture, traditions and religion of the Peigan with society at large, his was nevertheless regarded as a respected elder. The couple maintains such cultural practices as the legends and stories passed down, the use of sweetgrass in smudge and the use of the pipe. Crowshoe served as an advisor on setting up Native American studies programs at both the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. Crowshoe was also instrumental in developing the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretative Centre into a UNESCO world heritage site. In addition to his work with post-secondary institutions, Crowshoe also worked for about 20 years as a cultural and spiritual advisor for the public education system on the Peigan reserve. As well, he provided editing assistance on the first Blackfoot language dictionary.

The couple was instrumental in the perpetuation of the Peigan culture, and received many honours for their work. They were recipients of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. The two also received the Order of Canada in 1991. Joe was given an Alberta Achievement Award in 1989, and an Honorary Doctorate of law from the University of Calgary, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from the University of Montana. He was a member of the official welcoming committee at the 1991 Royal Visit, and has a Citation of Citizenship from the Government of Canada. Joe Crowshoe was a lifetime councilor at the Peigan Nation. Josephine, a Holy Woman, is the Keeper of the Natoas (sun dance) Bundle and Joe is the Holder of the Blackfoot Short Thunder Medicine Pipe Bundle.

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