Camille Pablo Russell

Camille Pablo Russell (right) was born on the Blood Reserve and was partly raised by his grandparents where he learn the stories and language. He was exposed to the stories and customs of his grandfather's friends whom called him a friend. He would also go visiting with his great grandfather who was 108 and visit his friends. He learned the history and customs from these old people and was quite comfortable with them. At the age of 19 he joined the Piercing Sundance and Danced for 11 years when...See more

Camille Pablo Russell (right) was born on the Blood Reserve and was partly raised by his grandparents where he learn the stories and language. He was exposed to the stories and customs of his grandfather's friends whom called him a friend. He would also go visiting with his great grandfather who was 108 and visit his friends. He learned the history and customs from these old people and was quite comfortable with them. At the age of 19 he joined the Piercing Sundance and Danced for 11 years when usually they only dance for 4 yrs. He then became a leader and supported his teacher in the Sundance. He learned from 3 Grandmothers and 1 Sundance chief about herbs over 18 years of learning. He also learned the Medicine Wheel teaching from his teacher which took 13 years. He has worked and upgraded his education at the Red Crow Colleges helping to develop the Blackfoot studies. At the College, he won the Aboriginal achievement award for retaining his language which was submitted by the College. He also worked as a researcher for his tribe specializing in Pre contact with his knowledge from his elders. He then went on a vision quest where he receive the buffalo song and was told to teach the children to be like a buffalo. He moved to Calgary and worked at the Glenbow Museum for 6 years and the community of Calgary when he received the David Crowchild award. He went on another vision quest and was told to go to Europe to teach them about the buffalo, He was there for 23 years. He came back 3 years ago and currently works at the Elbow River healing lodge as a traditional Wellness councilor by day and at night he is the elder for the Calgary Remand Center. He continues to go to Europe twice a year to help the people in Europe and supports agencies in Calgary when asked to. See less