2nd Booklet from the Kuukuminuwich Gatheirngs by GNITIC

Contents collected through oral transmission Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association Illustrations by Mariah Shecapio-Lacroix Photo credits: Korey Saganash and Irene Otter Graphics design and layout: Lettrage Waldi

In honour of his community and the many teachings he leaves behind, we dedicate this booklet to Abel Kitchen, Waswanipi Elder who has now found his place in the Spirit world. In his words… “We must feast the land to give thanks and honour the beauty of Piikuutiskaau (our Mother, the Earth) who holds the medicine of life.”

2nd

ᑰᑯᒥᓅᐃᒡ ᐅᒋᔅᑰᑎᒪᒑᓂᐧᐋᐤ ᐃᓯᐧᑳᐅᐦᐄᑎᑖᐤ

Kuukuminuuwich uchiskuutimachaauniwaau iskwaauhititaau (GRANDMOTHER TEACHINGS - WOMANHOOD)

Presented by:

“AWAKENING THE GRANDMOTHER WITHIN”

WASWANIPI September 19-22, 2017

Photo credit: Northern Visions Photography & Design

PROGRA M IN CLU D ES : • • • •

Teachings & discussion Women’s role Rites of Passage Ceremonies

• • • •

Relationships Arts & crafts Storytelling Traditional activities

I MP ORTANT R EMINDERS : • Participants registered before Sept. 15 by 1pm will be offered private lodging. • Participants must make their own travel arrangement. • Participants must bring folding chairs.

• Women must wear a skirt at all times. • All participants are asked to bring their feasting bundle (individual dishes and utensils).

To request a registration form, or for more information, contact: Deborah Matoush, Program Coordinator, at dmatoush@cweia.ca or 418-923-2769, or contact your local CWEIA President.

Table of content ᐋ ᐧᐃᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᐅᑎ ᒫᓯᓈᑖᒡ Aa wiihtaakooch jaawkaawn ootih maasiinaataach

Day 1: Water – Women – East..................................................................................p.1 ᓂᔥᑎᒻ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᓂᐲ-ᐄᔅᐧᑳᐅᒡ-ᐧᐋᐱᓅᑖᐦᒡ Nishtim aa jishiikaach: nibii-iiswkaaoch-waabinuutaahch Honouring the start of a new day...........................................................................p.3 ᐋ ᒋᔥᑖᔨᐦᑖᑯᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋ ᒋᐦᒋᐱᔨᒡ ᐋ ᐅᔅᑳᒡ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ Aa jishtaayihtaakoohtaakiniwij aa ohjii jihjibiyij aa ooskaach aa jishikaaj Remembering our Ways..........................................................................................p.4 ᐋ ᒋᔅᒋᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᓐ ᑳ ᐸᒋ ᐊᐃᐦᑎᔨᐦᒄ Aa jisjitaakiniwich aan kaa baajii aaiihtiyiihkw Sacredness of Water................................................................................................p.5 ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᒋᔅᑖᔨᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᓂᐲ Aa iiyis jistaayihtaakooch niibii Miichuap Teachings.................................................................................................p.6 ᒦᒋᐧᐋᐦᑉ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ Miijiwaahb jiiskotimaajaawinh First Moon Ceremony..............................................................................................p.7 ᓃᔥᑎᒻ ᐋ ᓅᑯᓯᑦ ᑎᐱᔅᒋᐲᓯᒽ Niishtim aa nookosit tipisjibiisimu Beaded Hood............................................................................................................p.8 ᑳ ᒦᒋᓯᐅᒡ ᐊᔅᑐᑎᓐ Kaa miijisiwooch astootin

Day 2: Fire – Men – South......................................................................................p.11 ᓂᐧᓵᐤ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᐄᔥᑯᑖᐤ - ᓈᐹᐅᒡ - ᐲᓯᐧᒫᐦᑖᐦᒡ Nishaw aa jishiikaach: iishkotaao – naabaawooch - beesimawhtaahch Fire Teachings.........................................................................................................p.13 ᐃᔥᑯᑖᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ Iishkotaao jiskootimaajaawinh Traditional Weddings and Relationships..............................................................p.17 ᑳᐦᑎᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐧᐋᔥᑭᒡ ᐋ ᒋᐦᒋᐧᐄᐅᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᐋ ᐧᐃᒋᒥᑐᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ Kaahtinaaniwich waashkich aa jihjiwiiwoonaaniiwich kiyaah aa wijimidonaaniwich

Day 3: Earth – Ancestors – West...........................................................................p.21 ᓂᔥᐧᑖᐤ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᐊᔅᒌ  - ᐋᓂᔅᑯᑖᐹᓂᒡ - ᐊᒋᔥᑑ Nishwtaw aa jishiikaach: aasjii – aahniiskootaabaanich - aajiistoo The Shiishiikun........................................................................................................p.23 ᐊᓐ ᓯᔅᑭᐦᐅᓐ Aan sisikihwoon Iiyiyiuu-Iiyinuu miichim...........................................................................................p.24 ᐄᔨᔨᐤ-ᐄᓅ ᒦᒋᒻ Iiyiyio-iinoo miijim Traditional Medicines.............................................................................................p.25 ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᓂᑐᐦᑯᔨᓐ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ Iiyiyio nidoohkoyin jiskootimaajaawinh Teachings by Pat Awashish...................................................................................p.26 ᒑ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᑦ - ᐹᐦᑦ ᐋᐧᐋᔑᔥ Jaa jiskootimaajaat – baaht aawaashish

Teachings by James Gull.......................................................................................p.28 ᒑ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᑦ - ᒋᒥᔅ ᐧᑳᓪᐦ Jaa jiskootimaajaat – jimish kaalh Skirt Teachings ......................................................................................................p.30 ᐃᔅᐧᑳᐤ ᐊᑯᐱᐦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ Iiskaaw aakobih jiiskotimaajaawinh Tobacco...................................................................................................................p.31 ᒋᔥᑖᒫᐤ jistaamaao Cree Seasons..........................................................................................................p.32 ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐋ ᐄᔅᐱᐦᑖᔮᓂᐦᑖᑦ Iiyiyio aa iisbihtaayaanihtaat

Day 4: Air – Spirit – North.......................................................................................p.35 ᓈᐧᐋᐤ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᔮᐦᔮᐧᐃᓐ - ᐊᐦᒑᐦᑰ - ᐊᑎᒫᐲᓯᒽ Naawaao aa jishikaach: yaahyaawin – ahjaahkoo - aademaabiishimu Life as a journey.....................................................................................................p.37 ᐱᒫᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᐱᒧᐦᑖᓂᐧᐃᒡ Bimaadisiiwinihch aa iishi bimoohtaaniwij Closing Remarks of the Gathering.......................................................................p.39 ᒑ ᐊᔨᒥᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᑎ ᒋᐱᐦᐄᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐆ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᓂᔥᑐᐧᐃᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ Jaa ayiminaaniwich aati jibihiikiniwich oo kaa iishi nistoowiinaaniwich

“It is time for women to pick up and embrace their medicine; it is God given knowledge to nurture ‘miiyuupimatisiiwin’, meaning to ‘live a good life’.”

Irene Bearskin House Mihywaakimaahaanukwaay (Calm Water Woman)

CWEIA Gookumnouch Advisory Council

Day 1 Water – Women – East ᓂᔥᑎᒻ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᓂᐲ-ᐄᔅᐧᑳᐅᒡ-ᐧᐋᐱᓅᑖᐦᒡ Nishtim aa jishiikaach: nibii-iiswkaaoch-waabinuutaahch

Dedicated to the role of women, this first day honors the sacredness of water and brings forth teachings about the miichuap (teepee), the meaning of the First Moon, and the tradition of wearing beaded hoods.

Honouring the Start of a New Day ᐋ ᐧᐃᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᐅᑎ ᒫᓯᓈᑖᒡ

Aa wiihtaakooch jaawkaawn ootih maasiinaataach

The day starts with smudging. The smoke of burning sage and/or sweetgrass is used to cleanse ourselves of negative energies. By bringing it to our eyes, mouth, and ears, we ensure that we will see, hear and speak beautiful things. This medicine is followed by a prayer, as it is important to begin each day by giving thanks and the opportunity to come together to share teachings amongst each other. On this day, Elder Christine Saganash shared the Lord’s Prayer in Cree. A Cree hymn (by Tina Mark-Ottereyes), and a shiishiikun (rattle) song (led by Louise B. Saganash), were shared with the people of the gathering. Song, in all its forms, is a way to show pride in our beliefs and the work that we do.

All ways of celebrating life are valued, as the iiyiyiuu-iiyinuu way of life promotes togetherness. 3

Remembering our Ways ᐋ ᒋᔅᒋᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᓐ ᑳ ᐸᒋ ᐊᐃᐦᑎᔨᐦᒄ

Aa jisjitaakiniwich aan kaa baajii aaiihtiyiihkw We honour the ways of our ancestors by transmitting knowledge from one generation to another. As Jane Bearskin Kitchen said… “This gathering is to pass on to our children and grandchildren about how we lived. All the food and medicine, we received from the land. We were able to care for the sick without doctors. Although a lot has been lost, we need to keep passing this knowledge down.” As the Grandmothers spoke, a few of them took time to mention their spirit names. Using these is a way to connect with one’s identity as iiyiyiuu-iiyinuu and carry on traditional ways of being.

Keeping our traditions alive is a way to connect with our identity and honour it. 4

Sacredness of Water ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᒋᔅᑖᔨᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᓂᐲ

Aa iiyis jistaayihtaakooch niibii Water is the essence of life. When a child is in the womb, it is surrounded and protected by water. This element is considered sacred because it bears life. It is also the reason why they consider women as Water Carriers. Water is like the blood that runs through the Earth’s veins. It is important to take care of it and keep it healthy. Today, we face many struggles related to water because it is not as pure as it used to be. We must pray for its wellness. Water is a gift from the Creator and we must honour it. Diane Reid… prayed over the water and passed it around during the Water Ceremony she led. Each person present were asked to take a sip from this water in hope of having a good life and honour this gift.

We address the Water Spirit – Paajiishushuwaakinaamu (make the water smooth for me) – this is asking for safety when we travel on water Irene Bearskin House

Miichuap Teachings ᒦᒋᐧᐋᐦᑉ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ

Miijiwaahb jiiskotimaajaawinh The miichuap (teepee) bears many teachings in relation to the role of women. Jane Bearskin Kitchen… spoke of how the miichuap was one of the main dwellings used while living on the land. It was built by women using roots and birch bark. People loved living in teepees as there was a lot of love in them. Irene Beaksin House… shared that the miichuap represents the circle of life (often called the medicine wheel) where we find the sacred directions and elements. Within the miichuap, all elements are present: earth, water, air, and fire. Skirts are also associated with the miichuap. We wrap ourselves, just like a teepee’s covering to honour our role as women and seek protection, especially in ceremony.

The miichuap is a symbol of togetherness and unity, as well as a safe space built and nurtured by women. 6

First Moon Ceremony ᓃᔥᑎᒻ ᐋ ᓅᑯᓯᑦ ᑎᐱᔅᒋᐲᓯᒽ

Niishtim aa nookosit tipisjibiisimu

The First Moon Ceremony is carried out when a young woman has her first menstrual cycle. During this time, she is separated from everyone. Janie Capissisit... recalls being in her own separate dwelling. Even the bowl, plate, and cutlery she used during that time were to be used only by her. Even in isolation, a young woman does not go through this alone. Well accompanied by women in her surroundings, she receives advice in regards to cleanliness and how to take care of herself. Anna Grant…“Girls were well taken care of when they experienced their first cycle. We were always told to keep and dress warmly. We were told that if we didn’t keep ourselves warm, we would feel the physical effects at an earlier age.” The ceremony ends at the end of her first cycle. At this moment, she is considered a woman and carries on the responsibilities associated with her role. Dinah Simard... “When it was finished, I felt so free. I saw myself as a woman.”

Rites of passage are essential to building our identities. They are a time of learning and growth. 7

Beaded Hood ᑳ ᒦᒋᓯᐅᒡ ᐊᔅᑐᑎᓐ

Kaa miijisiwooch astootin

Dinah Simard… presented her grandmother’s beaded hood which was long lost until now. She is thankful to reconnect with it. There is a story or a meaning associated with every bead colour sewn into the hood. She also shared that, long ago, the way a woman dressed showed respect to her husband and the hunt he brought back home. Emily Sam… presented her own outfit. The complete set consists of leggings, sleeves, a hood, a shawl, a belt, gloves, and moccasins. The hood was always kept outside because of the seven directions it represents in its design. The colours also hold different meanings which are personal to each person’s outfit. The elders chose the women who will wear these outfits during snowshoe journeys, special occasions, and certain ceremonies.

The beaded hood outfit is worn to show respect to Piikuutiskwaau (our Mother, the Earth) as well as our role as women. 8

“Beaded Hood display provided by Aanishaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute.”

Day 2 Fire – Men – South ᓂᐧᓵᐤ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᐄᔥᑯᑖᐤ - ᓈᐹᐅᒡ - ᐲᓯᐧᒫᐦᑖᐦᒡ Nishaw aa jishiikaach: iishkotaao –naabaawooch - beesimawhtaahch

The second day begins with seven fire teachings to honour the role of men. As the day progressed, the grandmothers shared stories about traditional weddings the importance of a strong foundation in a relationship.

Fire teachings ᐃᔥᑯᑖᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ

Iishkotaao jiskootimaajaawinh

The second day, seven people were gifted a small bough, log or branch. While receiving these, they were asked to share teachings about the fire, one of the four sacred elements (along with wind, earth, and water). Here is what they shared: Jane Matthew… demonstrated how to properly stack wood to start a fire. The wood is always placed face down for it to burn consistently. Wood is not thrown into the fire, it is placed gently. We take good care of it and treat it with care; fire is not something to be played with. She also shared that if the fire sounds like gunshots, it means a feast and good food is coming. Irene Bearskin House… remembered making a fire that wouldn’t start. A family member had told her that when this happens, a storm or bad weather was approaching. Lawrence Matthew… shared that a fire was kept burning all night to keep a woman warm, especially when she was carrying a child.”

Emma Matoush… recalls her mother telling her that back in her day, there were open fires within the teepee. Now, they use wood stoves inside the dwellings. Annie Nayassit… remembers growing up with fire and its many uses. For cooking, Wadnakintuuk was used for meat and Meedshtuuk was used for smoking fish or meat. The first thing she does when she goes to the bush is build a fire as it reminds her of her father. Anna Grant… teaches her grandchildren to build fires. She spoke about the sounds in the fire. If the fire crackles as it burns, the popping sound signifies that is it about to go out. A fire needs to be kept going at night. Manon Richmond… talked about nurturing the fire within as a way to honour our roles and responsibilities. That is why it is important to awaken the grandmother within.

While women are considered Water Carriers, Men hold the role of Fire Keeper as it is their responsibility to care for the fire. 14

Traditional Weddings and Relationships ᑳᐦᑎᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐧᐋᔥᑭᒡ ᐋ ᒋᐦᒋᐧᐄᐅᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᐋ ᐧᐃᒋᒥᑐᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ Kaahtinaaniwich waashkich aa jihjiwiiwoonaaniiwich kiyaah aa wijimidonaaniwich

Traditionally, arrangements were done prior to the wedding. Permissions were asked. There were no priests. Couples shared a plate and cup as a symbol of their union. A bride’s dress was handmade. The couple had to provide everything. Karen Napash... recalls her wedding to Eric House. She waited until she was ready. When she told Eric it was time, he asked her parent’s permission. They did not pay for much for the wedding. Eric killed a caribou; the hide was used for the dress and the bones for rings. Today, their house stands where they married. Traditional weddings were a lot less extravagant than modern day weddings. They are also less costly than they are now. For this reason, the grandmothers suggest having more modest and traditional celebrations as it is important for a couple to remain humble as they go through this rite of passage together. The grandmothers also discussed the topic of relationships. In addition to new wedding customs, they’ve also noticed that relationships aren’t as stable as before. Many relationships now are broken or need a stronger foundation

Irene Otter, whose grandmother told her not to have children without a father to help her raise them, waited a long time to settle down. She opted for a traditional wedding also. The advice she gives is to find someone who is well grounded. Values are more important than material things. As a couple, you teach each other and are one. Finally, the grandmothers shared their hopes for future relationships. They urge the youth to have a better understanding of their roles as men and women. That way, they can better respect themselves and each other in a relationship. Relationships require a lot of patience and need to be nurtured. It is important to be aware of all that is required. Understanding this is essential to building stronger couples and stable families.

Marriage is not about building your life around one person; it is about building a life around two souls in the Spirit of Love willing to grow together. 18

Day 3 Earth – Ancestors – West ᓂᔥᐧᑖᐤ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᐊᔅᒌ  - ᐋᓂᔅᑯᑖᐹᓂᒡ - ᐊᒋᔥᑑ Nishwtaw aa jishiikaach: aasjii – aahniiskootaabaanich - aajiistoo

Dedicated the to the Earth and ancestral teachings, this third day teaches us about our traditional medicines which take the form of plants, food, water, and also sacred objects such as the shiishiikun. On this day, the grandmothers also reminded us of the importance of wearing skirts.

The Shiishiikun ᐊᓐ ᓯᔅᑭᐦᐅᓐ

Aan sisikihwoon

The shiishiikun (rattle) is used to bring comfort to young infants. It is also an essential part of the woman’s sacred bundle. Songs such as lullabies usually accompany the use of the shiishiikun. In this gathering, it is used to recognize women’s roles and their contribution to the wellness of their communities. The shiishiikun is used to honour those who share their wisdom and knowledge and leadership.

Iiyiyiuu-Iiyinuu miichim ᐄᔨᔨᐤ-ᐄᓅ

ᒦᒋᒻ

Iiyiyio-iinoo miijim As the meeting reconvened, moose meat mixed with bear grease was passed around for everyone to taste. While sharing food, people of the gathering also shared teachings about Iiyiyiuu-Iiyinuu miichim, traditional food. For example, grease was taken from antlers and mixed with the meat. It was a special time when they killed a caribou who had fat in the antlers. It was named piimiijaiihikin. Edward Ottereyes shared about caches dehshibidaakuun. A place where they would place the bones in hopes they would harvest more in the future. This practice was held highly to show respect to the animals.

Traditional medicines ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᓂᑐᐦᑯᔨᓐ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ

Iiyiyio nidoohkoyin jiskootimaajaawinh

Whether it be for food, shelter or healing, our people have always used the elements provided by Mother Earth to survive. Over the course of time, our ancestors discovered the properties of the trees and plants. To this day, we still use their knowledge of these medicines to treat certain illnesses or contribute to our health. Advice for those planning to use traditional medicines: Traditional medicine cannot be learned from a written recipe. Always speak to elders or medicine people to know more about the medicines, such as dosage, uses and when it is best to harvest them Children may also use these medicines, but it is recommended that they be at least one to two years of age. It is important to dilute it for them. Bear grease is mostly used for babies when they have colds. Do not harvest the first layer of a tree to treat diabetes as it usually contains more sugar than the layers below. To boil the medicines, an enamel saucepan is always preferred. It is used along with a strainer or coffee filters.

Teachings from Pat Awashish ᒑ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᑦ - ᐹᐦᑦ ᐋᐧᐋᔑᔥ

Jaa jiskootimaajaat – baaht aawaashish

Pat Awashish learned much of what she knows about traditional medicines from her parents. On this day, she shared a few recipes and explained how to use certain plants and trees. Maskuminaanaahtikw — ᒪᔅᑯᒥᓈᓈᐦᑎᒄ S Snowy Mountain Ash with berries: Good for colds or to soothe sore knees Kaachichepakw — ᑳᒋᒉᐸᒄ Big Leaf Labrador Tea: Can be used to help manage diabetes Utuuspii — ᐅᑑᔅᐲ S Grey Adler: Often used to treat a sore throat and tonsils, as well as mouth sore. It can also be used to treat eczema. This can also be used to tint hides. Ushkui – ᐅᔥᑯᐃ S Birch: This medicine is used to lower blood sugar. It is more potent than Labrador Tea. Drinking this can also treat leg cramps.

Waachinaakan – ᐧᐋᒋᓈᑲᓐ Tamarack: This medicine is good to treat coughs. Although Pat shared many of her recipes, she requested that they not be published in written form. People who which to use traditional medicines are strongly advised to speak with those who hold the knowledge. It is the best way to learn and protect our ancestral knowledge.

Teachings from James Dixon ᒑ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᑦ - ᒋᒥᔅ ᐧᑳᓪᐦ

Jaa jiskootimaajaat – jimish kaalh

It is thanks to the use of traditional medicine that James Dixon healed himself from his ailments. Growing up, he observed his grand-mother harvest these plants and trees. When making medicine drums, he soaks them in the medicines to honour what he knows. He also happily shared a few uses of tree medicines that he knows with the people of the gathering. For a bleeding nose… Take the first layer of the birch tree. Burn it until it turns black. Take the singed part and put it on a cotton swab. Apply directly on source of bleeding. For joint and back pain: Slowly boil the white spruce boughs and branches which have already been ground up into a powder. The liquid should become a very dark green. Filter the ground up spruce boughs and squeeze out the liquid into a jar with bear grease. Always heat it before you put it onto the skin.

Skirt Teachings ᐃᔅᐧᑳᐤ ᐊᑯᐱᐦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐᐦ

Iiskaaw aakobih jiiskotimaajaawinh

The Grandmothers encourage all women to wear skirts for every occasion. It is their wish that more women carry on this tradition. Women are asked to wear skirts, especially in ceremony, to protect the sacredness of being able to bring life into this world. A skirt is meant to wrap you and protect you. We always keep our feet grounded to Mother Earth when we put on a skirt. At birth, we come into this world head first. For these reasons, the proper way to put on a skirt is by putting it over the head. There are proper ways to sit when you wear a skirt. Keep your legs closed or crossed. Long ago, when there weren’t chairs, we sat on the boughs by kneeling on our knees. There is a different type of skirt for every occasion and every season. Some are pleated in a way to allow more space to move while others are narrower.

Wearing a skirt is one of the many ways a woman holds her role in high regards. 30

Tobacco ᒋᔥᑖᒫᐤ

Jistaamaao

When offering prayers or giving thanks, tobacco is either gifted to the Creator, a person, the land, water or fire. The left hand is used to hold the tobacco. As we hold it, we concentrate on it and put our thoughts and prayers into the tobacco before releasing it. Giving tobacco is also a sign of respect when requesting traditional knowledge or medicine.

Life is about spirit. For everything we ask or receive, we must show thanks. 31

Cree Seasons ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐋ ᐄᔅᐱᐦᑖᔮᓂᐦᑖᑦ

Iiyiyio aa iisbihtaayaanihtaat

Traditionally, the Cree observe a total of six seasons in a yearly cycle. These two month seasons are defined by the changes that occur on the land as well as the way traditional activities are carried out. Siikun Break-Up (March & Arpil) : Also known as a time where the ice breaks up, siikun marks the end of the hard winter months. It is the beginning of a new cycle of seasons. Miyuskamin Spring (May & June) : The land begins to thaw out and the lakes and rivers are released from the ice. Flowers and leaves on the tree begin to grow again. Niipin Summer (July & August) : During this time the two hottest months, families gather, feast and celebrate weddings. Fishing also becomes the prominent activity on the land.

Waastepikun Fall (September & October) : The weather is cooler and the leaves start changing colour. Tikwaachin Freeze-Up (November & December) : Snow begins to fall and the lakes and rivers begin to freeze. Families travel back to their traplines. Pipun Winter (January & February) : The coldest months in a year and also the harshest in terms of survival on the land.

Our traditional interpretations of our environment allow us to have a different perspective of the life on the land. The weather is cooler and the leaves start changing colour. 33

Day 4 Air – Spirit – North ᓈᐧᐋᐤ ᐋ ᒋᔑᑳᒡ: ᔮᐦᔮᐧᐃᓐ - ᐊᐦᒑᐦᑰ - ᐊᑎᒫᐲᓯᒽ Naawaao aa jishikaach: yaahyaawin – ahjaahkoo - aademaabiishimu

For the fourth and final day of the gathering, much time was dedicated to the act of sharing with each other. Considering that life is a journey, it is important to listen to what the people that surround us have to say as the teachings we receive from them help us grow and contribute to the strengthening of our people.

Life as a journey ᐱᒫᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᐱᒧᐦᑖᓂᐧᐃᒡ

Bimaadisiiwinihch aa iishi bimoohtaaniwij

As we come into this world, we begin to experience a lifelong journey of learning. As we grow, we understand more with each lesson that we receive. From birth to our return to the Spirit World, the teachings we gather give us the knowledge to carry on through each step of life. Listening to our Elders is important, as they have many stories to share. Learning from their experiences gives us tools to carry through the beauty of life and hardships we may encounter in our lives. Rites of passage are also an important part of our journey. Maintaining these traditions is also a way to ensure that through each stage of our life, we have the proper knowledge to carry on our roles and responsibilities. Each person will have their own journey. It is a constant learning process that is enriched by sharing what we know and listening to the wisdom of others.

Throughout our life’s journey, our personal experiences bring us new teachings. Everyone has wisdom to share and that is why we come together to learn. 37

Closing Remarks of the Gathering ᒑ ᐊᔨᒥᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᑎ ᒋᐱᐦᐄᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐆ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᓂᔥᑐᐧᐃᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ

Jaa ayiminaaniwich aati jibihiikiniwich oo kaa iishi nistoowiinaaniwich

As the day ended, people were asked to share a few words to end the gathering on a positive note. Here is the general essence of their thoughts and hopes: Much wisdom was shared during the four days of this gathering and for this reason, people are thankful. A lot of love, teachings, and medicine can be found within our people, especially the women as they are the ones who bring us into this world. The importance of listening and sharing is also to be valued. Every spoken word has an impact on people. While some are further encouraged to share teachings received during the course of the gathering, others have seen their spirit uplifted by what they witnessed. Gatherings like these are important as they create spaces where people can share what they know. For this reason, many of the elders are hopeful that more youth will attend. It is important that we teach them this knowledge. They are also encouraged to sit with elders and speak with them.

We are one people, and it is in the togetherness of learning that we become stronger as a nation. 39

Painting and teaching by Betty Albert

Learn the truth, Honor the truth, Accept the truth, See the truth, Hear the truth, Speak the truth, Love the truth, Serve the truth, Live the truth, Work with the truth, Walk in truth and be Grateful For the truth. Betty Albert

We give thanks to all the grandmothers and those who have walked before us for it is their knowledge that we share with present and future generations. Within these pages, we find the extent of what their spirits were willing to share for the time being. There is still much to learn, and for this reason, we must continue the work of our ancestors.

An event made possible by

Secrétariat à la condition féminine

CREE WOMEN OF EEYOU ISTCHEE ASSOCIATION INC. ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔅᐧᑳᐅᒡ ᐋᐦ ᒫᒨᐧᐄᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔅᒌᐦᒡ

Lettrage Waldi inc.