In what is being hailed as a step forward in reconciliation between the RCMP and Indigenous communities, RCMP in Manitoba will now allow the use of eagle feathers for making sworn oaths.

The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon, during a special ceremony at the RCMP detachment in Winnipeg to cleanse the eagle feathers that will be used for swearing in victims, witnesses, suspects and police officers when they give statements.

The feathers — considered an important spiritual symbol in many First Nations cultures — can now be used in the way Bibles or affirmations are already used.

Sworn statements made using a Bible, affirmation — or now, an eagle feather — are considered admissible evidence that can be used in court. Police officers will also now be able to use the eagle feather to swear information before the court.

"It's been a long time coming," said Assembly of First Nations Manitoba Regional Chief Kevin Hart.

"I think it's going to have a big impact on our people," he said. "When people swear on the Bible, given what happened between the churches and residential schools, there is a traumatic affect in our communities even today.

Assembly of First Nations Manitoba Regional Chief Kevin Hart speaks to a crowd of RCMP officers ahead of a special ceremony Tuesday to cleanse the eagle feathers. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

"This is one of the steps towards reconciliation and bridging the gap."

Feathers will be distributed to the RCMP's more than 80 detachments across the province. In addition to being used for sworn statements, they will also be offered to provide comfort for anyone who wants them at the detachments, RCMP said in a Tuesday media release.

The feathers were harvested from two eagles and gifted to the RCMP by the wildlife branch of the province's Sustainable Development department.

Manitoba RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody wants to see eagle feathers used at all detachments across the country. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

With Manitoba now joining Nova Scotia — the first province in Canada where RCMP incorporated the use of eagle feathers in police activities — Hart said he hopes the initiative will extend across the country.

Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody, the Manitoba RCMP's commanding officer, also wants to see the use of eagle feathers Canada-wide.

It's really a positive step in our reconciliation with our Indigenous communities. - Assistant Commissioner Scott Kolody , Manitoba RCMP's commanding officer

"I think it's important … for all our RCMP divisions and attachments to undertake this," he said.

"It's really a positive step in our reconciliation with our Indigenous communities."

Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth confirmed that the city's police service will be considering using eagle feathers as well.

Bridging gaps

Kolody acknowledges the relationship between police and Indigenous communities across the country has often been fraught.

"We've had a longstanding relationship with First Nation communities, and sometimes things haven't gone well," he said.

"It's important stuff that we gain the trust and respect [of Indigenous people], and we feel that this is really important stuff for us to bring that into our day-to-day operations as we move forward."

Kolody believes the introduction of the use of eagle feathers is a step toward improving relations between police and Indigenous people.

"It's a positive step for us, but we've learned a lot along this journey and working with our elders and Indigenous communities on the importance of this," he said.

Elder Wanbdi Wakita and Kolody pose for a photo following Tuesday's ceremony. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)

Hart also believes the process has helped build more trust.

"It's great to see this as part of reconciliation being done, [and] that the RCMP are involving our elders as well as respecting … protocols," he said.

"[It's important] to see that they're using Indigenous and First Nation members of the RCMP to help with these very simple ceremonies and protocols along the way, too."

This is building the spirit and the strength within our communities. - Kevin Hart, Assembly of First Nations Manitoba regional chief

Hart says the faith shown by Manitoba RCMP in making this move bodes well for the future.

"This is building the spirit and the strength within our communities."