The camera has given me the opportunity to meet so many great people. Over the the last year I worked with the Indigenous Tourism Association PEI and experienced the Mi’kmaq culture up close. I have always had an interest in Indigenous cultures and am grateful for any opportunity to learn and connect. Here are some of the wonderful events and celebrations I experienced and photographed.
- Quill Art and Basket Making
- Panmure Island Pow Wow
- Lennox Island Pow Wow
- Cavendish Beach A’tuken
- Indigenous Christmas Artisan Market
- Watles, a 5000+ year old Indigenous game that can get really competitive!
- Making Bannock on a Stick over an open fire
- Traditional Medicine and Smudging
Smudging Ceremony
Smudging is an important ceremony that the Mi’kmaq practice. It consists of burning either one of or a combination of the sacred medicines (tobacco, sage, sweet grass and cedar), then the smoke is used to cleanse the senses. These medicines are burnt in an abalone shell. These shells are the home of mother-of-pearl and they are known for being one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful gifts.
This sacred practice consists of bringing the smoke to the eyes to see good things, to the ears to hear positive words, to the mouth to speak the truth, and to the mind and heart to bring in good intentions. The rising smoke then carries the prayers to the creator.
I participated in a demonstration of Traditional Medicine and Smudging Ceremony with Mi’kmaq Elder and Heritage Interpreter Junior Peter-Paul. We sat in a circle a teepee and while one man performed the Smudging ceremony with each of us, Junior Peter-Paul said a beautiful prayer. The calm and quiet was palpable to everyone. It was an incredible feeling of peace I feel privileged to have experienced.
It is not the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples to educate me. It is my responsibility to educate myself.
All Canadians are called to learn about Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples and how we can move forward in reconciliation and restitution. So I decided to embark on an Indigenous learning journey. There are more opportunities than ever to learn about our Indigenous brothers and sisters and ways that we can all participate in reconciliation.
I believe that people innately want to know each other, they just don’t know how. The challenge with connection is not a lack of desire for it, but people don’t know how to go about it. So we need to start trying to find ways to connect. Check out L’NUEY How To Be A Good Ally.
Here are 5 ways to start your learning journey.
1. Read Books
Here are some of the books that got me started.
2. Check out Indigenous Arts & Entertainment
Movies, tv shows, documentaries, music, paintings, sculpture, stage and more. The list is endless. My original post had a list of so many things I have enjoyed since the 80s, but it got to be so long I edited it out. Here are two gorgeous paintings by Mi’kmaq Artist Loretta Gould that you can see hanging at the new Charlottetown Learning Library.
3. Go to a Pow Wow or Mawio’mi
“The Pow Wow, or Mawio’mi is an important celebration which allows us to express who we are as Mi’kmaq people.”
– Benoit First Nation Lnu’k – Mi’kmaq history and people: The Pow wow or Mawio’mi
4. Take a course
Here are a few great courses available to everyone:
Indigenous Canada, University of Alberta, Natives Studies
This course was life changing for me. It really opened my eyes to a history that has been hidden from me. Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. Indigenous Canada is offered as both a for-credit online course as NS 201, and to the general public as a non-credit course. I hope you will consider taking it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND :)
Indigenous Religions & Ecology, Yale University
There is a need for broader literacy and deeper knowledge of the world’s religions and their ecological contributions. This specialization, “Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community“, contributes such a perspective. Each course celebrates the vitality of religiously-informed action for the Earth and recognizes the longstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples in offering visions and practices for ecological flourishing.
Namwayut: An Evening with Chief Robert Joseph
Herditary Chief Robert Joseph will talk about his book Namwayut – We Are All One: A Pathway to Reconciliation. The book is excellent and I enjoyed hearing Chief Robert Joseph speak about it.
5. Experience an Experience
Here are some amazing opportunities to experience Indigenous culture.
Experience Lennox Island
Experience Lennox Island offers a variety of Authentic Experiences. Each experience is an opportunity for us to learn about the Mi’kmaq people, their history and traditions. Check out Experience Lennox Island: https://experiencelennoxisland.com/
So this is my journey so far and I’m looking forward to learning more. I hope you start your own journey and you inspire others to do the same. Have more ideas? Please let me know :)
Beautiful people. Beautiful culture.
Wela’lin
