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The Story of wesakecāk and sihkos

This is the story of how the weasel was able to change the colour of its pelt.

Simon Bird is the Director of Education for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and he shares his wealth of knowledge teaching Cree. At the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020, Bird encouraged audience members to engage in his Cree Bingo game. During the game he teaches Cree words and will often tell stories. This time, Bird shared the story of how the weasel’s pelt changes colour in different seasons.

Empowering Young Men – The Warrior’s Club at Sturgeon Lake Central School

The Warrior’s Club is a land-based education group that meets bi-monthly to learn experientially about the land. 

Tanya McCallum, is one of the land-based instructors at Sturgeon Lake Central School who help leads a Warrior’s Club for Indigenous male youth ages 11-15, she along with Lionel McKenzie. The Warrior’s Club educates youth and encourages them to develop a relationship with the land. Between the skills that they develop and the connections they make, the activities they engage in are meant to empower the next generation of men. The Club meets twice a month and engages in the following activities: camping, snaring, harvesting deadfall from the bush and chopping the wood, fire keeping, fishing, ice fishing, kayaking, canoeing, history lessons, and Cree language instruction.

Recently, the boys received chainsaw and axe safety lessons prior to using the equipment. After that, they were able to harvest the deadfall from the bush, chop the wood, and deliver the chopped wood to Elders and families in the community who were struggling financially. The boys are eager to provide this service to their community and the community members value the youth for their efforts. 

This program has been made possible since 2017 due to the collaboration between Belinda Daniels and her uncle Velmer Ermine, who write up the grants and reports for and through Jordan’s Principle. This is a community collaboration, a ‘grassroots’ initiative between all who all support the program and the youth involved, and a special gratitude to the numerous guest speakers who enrich this program throughout all of the years.

On Natural Law – What are you dressed up in?

By believing in practicing all of the components of Natural Law we are able to protect ourselves from being vulnerable.

Vee Whitehorse of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation presented at the Regina Elders Gathering in February 2020. Whitehorse is a leader at Leading Thunderbird Lodge where he supports Indigenous youth who are struggling with addictions. The holistic youth treatment centre offers opportunities for youth to connect with their culture, explore their identities, and heal. At the Elders Gathering, Whitehorse frames his discussion around the question: What are you dressed up in? He suggests that language, kinship, ceremony, and Mother Earth/heavens create a Natural Law and when you practice these components you will be less vulnerable,  insulated or ‘dressed up’ and can protect yourself.  

Significance of the Number Four in Indigenous Worldviews

Lynn Cote discusses a circular worldview model and discusses the meaning of the sacred number four. 

Lynn Cote was a guest speaker at the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020. Cote spoke about the importance of stories and language learning. Lynn Cote is a Saulteaux woman and educator from Cote First Nation, located north of Kamsack, Saskatchewan. In this clip, Cote discusses the importance of the number four in Saulteaux worldview and the importance of the circular worldview model. The worldview defines our relationship with the spirit land and all spirits that inhabit it.

The Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota Oyate

In Lakota ceremonies we pray for good health, happiness, help, and understanding.

Tim Poitras is from Muskowpetung First Nation and is the Sundance Chief of Woptura and the Tiospaye of Pine Ridge South Dakota. At the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020, Poitras shares his knowledge and experiences in order to create an awareness of good health, happiness, help, and understanding. In his presentation he discusses the people of the Seven Council Fires, the Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota Oyate, and the Creation Story. The history and knowledge Poitras shares reminds us to honour those that have left us to the spirit world and respect the knowledge and traditions of our people.

At the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020, Tim Poitras, from Muskowpetung First Nation, shared about his role in his community and his understanding of Lakota ceremonies. Poitras provides an overview of the Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota Oyate including the following ceremonial rights:

  • Canupa: The Sacred Pipe Ceremony
  • Inipi: The Sweat Lodge;
  • Hanblecha: The Vision Quest
  • Wiwangwacipi: The Sun Dance;
  • Hunkapi: The Making of Relatives; The Keeping of The Soul;
  • Ishna Ta Awi Cha Lowan: Preparing a Girl for Womanhood and a Man for Manhood.

Dene Culture and the Catholic Church

Comparing and recognizing similarities between Dene beliefs and the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

Margaret Reynolds, a Dene woman from English River First Nation, shares about the differences in Dene beliefs compared to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, with an audience at the Prince Albert Elders Gathering in March 2020. Reynolds explains how the Catholic Church was domineering in the north and people have lived without their traditional culture for a long time. She understands that the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux in Saskatchewan all believe in the same way and these beliefs have parallels  beliefs of the Catholic Church. Thankfully though, a lot of Dene traditional ceremonies, songs, and drum are coming back after being suppressed for so long.

Embracing Indigenous Spirituality

Indigenous scholar, Dr. Blair Stonechild, discusses Indigenous spirituality in his recent publications.

Dr. Blair Stonechild is from Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation and is a professor of Indigenous Studies at First Nations University of Canada. After years of research and a keen interest in Indigenous spirituality and has written two books: The Knowledge Seeker – Embracing Indigenous Spirituality (2016) and Loss of Indigenous Eden and the Fall of Spirituality (2020). These two books have contributed to exposing how Indigenous spirituality has been systematically stolen from Indigenous peoples and helps to establish some of the principles of understanding Indigenous spirituality. Stonechild explains, “if you ever hope to understand Indigenous spirituality you have to understand that we are spiritual beings on a physical journey.”

La First Peoples’ House, les initiatives autochtones et l’Université McGill/First Peoples’ House, Indigenous Initiatives et McGill University

The description of the Story. This content will accompany the Title on the website. La communauté de l’Université McGill à Montréal présente une longue histoire en termes de collaboration avec les nations autochtones, en commençant par la création du McGill Intertribal Council au début des années 1970 qui visait à répondre aux besoins culturels des […]

The description of the Story. This content will accompany the Title on the website. La communauté de l’Université McGill à Montréal présente une longue histoire en termes de collaboration avec les nations autochtones, en commençant par la création du McGill Intertribal Council au début des années 1970 qui visait à répondre aux besoins culturels des étudiants autochtones (Stonechild, 2006; Dufour, 2017). Celui-ci mena rapidement à la fondation du Native North American Studies Institue (NNASI) en collaboration avec l’Association des Indiens du Québec (AIQ). Celui-ci joua un rôle important dans l’inauguration du Manitou Community College à La Macaza, l’un des premiers établissements postsecondaires par et pour les nations autochtones au Canada. L’Université McGill fut également la première institution du Québec à instaurer un programme de formation des maîtres-assistants autochtones au cours de la même période (ibid.). Depuis 1997, la First Peoples’ House offre des services d’accueil et de soutien culturellement adaptés aux étudiants autochtones de l’Université. Ce service qui a initialement été financé par le ministère de l’Éducation et des Études supérieures et certaines donations privées est maintenant principalement pris en charge par les Services aux étudiants de l’Institution. Souvent décrit comme un ‘home away from home’, cet espace consacré joue les rôles de lieu de rassemblement communautaire, de ressourcement, de référencement, de support, de tutorat, de mentorat et d’orientation scolaire et même de résidence pour plusieurs étudiants. Des activités récurrentes et ponctuelles -telles les dîners communautaires de soupe et bannique du mercredi midi- et des événements annuels sont organisées. À l’été, la FPH, en collaboration avec la faculté de Médecine de la même université, organise le Eagle Spirit Camp, un camp de trois jours à l’intention de potentiels futurs étudiants âgés de 13 et 17 ans, dans le but de les encourager à réaliser leur plein potentiel éducatif et personnel. D’autres événements sont organisés en collaboration avec d’autres groupes tels le Indigenous Student Alliance (ISA), groupe d’intérêt étudiant formé d’étudiants autochtones et allochtones et le Social Equity and Diversity Education’s Office (SEDE) dont l’Indigenous Awareness Week qui culmine depuis 2001 par la tenue d’un Pow wow sur le campus à la session d’automne. Le Indigenous Educational Series, qui se déroule pour sa part à la session d’hiver, a ainsi pour objectif de sensibiliser la population étudiante aux réalités autochtones du Canada. Depuis 2005, le Indigenous Affairs Work Group a été mis sur pied par le doyen des affaires étudiantes (Dean of students) dans le but d’améliorer l’offre de service pour les étudiants autochtones. L’Université McGill est notamment très active au niveau de la prise de contact et du recrutement auprès des communautés à travers le Canada et présente une politique d’admission propres aux aspirants autochtones auto-identifiés. Ceux-ci sont appelés à fournir une lettre de motivation, une lettre de recommandation en plus d’un curriculum vitae en plus de leur formulaire afin de permettre une évaluation adaptée par le comité d’admission. Un soutien personnalisé peut également être offert au cours de la demande d’admission. Un programme de mineure en études autochtones (Indigenous Studies) a été créé en 2014. En réponse aux appels à l’action de la Commission de vérité et de réconciliation du Canada, le vice-principal exécutif et vice-principal aux études de McGill a créé un Groupe de travail sur les études et l’éducation autochtones en 2016 dans le but de formuler une nouvelle orientation stratégique pouvant bonifier ses initiatives en la matière. RÉFÉRENCES CBC News. (2017, 20 septembre). 2017 edition of Turtle Island Reads celebrates the best in Indigenous Canadian writing. Consulté à l’adresse http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/turtle-island-reads-2017-cbc-indigenous-authors-1.4298777 Curtis, C. (2016, 23 septembre). McGill to take « leadership role » in recruiting aboriginal students. Consulté à l’adresse http://montrealgazette.com/news/mcgill-to-take-leadership-role-in-recruiting-aboriginal-students Dufour, E. (2017). Du Collège Manitou de La Macaza à l’Institution Kiuna d’Odanak: la genèse des établissements postsecondaires par et pour les Premières Nations au Québec. Revue d’histoire de l’Amérique française, 70(4), 5 33. Fennario, T. (2016). McGill University offers gesture of reconciliation with Indigenous people. Montréal. Consulté à l’adresse http://aptnnews.ca/2016/09/23/mcgill-university-offers-gesture-of-reconciliation-with-indigenous-people/ McGill University. (2017). Eagle Spirit High Performance Camp. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/fph/prospective-students/eaglespiritcamp McGill University. (2013). Pow wow at McGill. Montréal. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXuHoKi-2tU McGill University. (2017a). First Peoples’ House. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/fph/ McGill University. (2017b). Indigenous Affairs Work Group. Consulté à l’adresse http://www.mcgill.ca/deanofstudents/aboriginaloutreach McGill University. (2017c). Indigenous Applicants. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/applying/requirements/indigenous McGill University. (2017d). Indigenous Awareness Week. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/fph/resources/indigenous-education-program/indigenous-awareness-week McGill University. (2017e). Indigenous Educational Series. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/fph/resources/indigenous-education-program/indigenous-educational-series McGill University. (2017f). Indigenous Studies Program. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/indigenous/home McGill University. (2018). Indigenous Success. Consulté à l’adresse https://www.mcgill.ca/provost/indigenous-success Stonechild, B. (2006). The Struggle for Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education in Canada. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.

Art Petahtegoose – Thinking in Our Language and Our Role in Creation

An Elder, who is preparing Anishinaabe people to be responsible, knowledgeable about their culture, creation and to show us our own personal role in Creation.

An Elder, who is preparing Anishinaabe people to be responsible, knowledgeable about their culture, creation and to show us our own personal role in Creation.

Teresa McGregor – Anishnawbek Ways of Knowing

“Choices” is an alternative School and General Cultural Programming within Native Friendship Centre and Native Health centres. The goal of the program was to revitalize culture and incorporate Anishnawbek ways.

“Choices” is an alternative School and General Cultural Programming within Native Friendship Centre and Native Health centres. The goal of the program was to revitalize culture and incorporate Anishnawbek ways.