Language Gathering Weekend

The kids and I have been on a journey to learn about our cultural heritage. This summer has been fantastic at offering up many occasions to being able to take part in different events. Last week we had a chance to learn about tikinaagans (Cradleboards) and craft our miniature versions of it.

Last weekend we attended a language gathering where we learned some of the language and songs and also learned about the language of the land.

The weekend meant a lot to me and I will be forever grateful to have been welcomed to this event.

Saturday the kids learned to make their feast bundle bags. I can say that they are quite easy to make and no strings/no sewing is needed.

You would have a rectangle piece of material, fold it in half and cut into the sides equally to create ties that you would tie together as to close off the sides. It's not hard at all.

Just like you see in the picture above. Once the kids were done, they were offered to take one plate, one bowl, one cup, one butter knife, one spoon and one fork to put inside their feast bag.

And voila! Beautiful bag and how lovely they got to have such a gift!

For myself I learned the water song and other Anishinaabe songs that were just beautiful. To hear the drums again brings warmth to my heart.

This was a chance for me to learn so much and to hear what the Elders (Kôhkum/kookum, koomiss for grandmother. Nimosom, mishoomis, kokumis for grandfather) shared to teach us. It also gave me a chance to offer them tobacco (showing respect as it is medicine. Not offering cigarettes), and share with them dreams and happenings.

Later, as the children played with others, I took my chance to walk around the area. Do what I needed to do, breathe in the air and listen to the land, see the land. Language is not just the many different ways you and I use to communicate, it is also a way for the earth, the mother, nature and animals speak to us. We are taught to listen and feel, learn the language of the land.

The next day, the kids learned to make their medicine bags. Can you guess what those medicines (M'shkiki) are? I have already mentioned one. Here's a hint; there is a picture of it at the beginning of this post. Answer: tobacco, sage, Sweet Grass and cedar.

Once the kids have finished their bags, they were given their medicines.

Beautiful is it not?

After that the kids played bingo using the names of animals in the language. Wonderful!

Oh I forgot to mention. Sunday morning, we were taught how to build over the fore using sticks and rope to cook over.

Can you guess what that is? Goose! I have never had goose before.

This is a picture of the geese later in the afternoon. What is in the stick you may ask? Bannock! It's Bannock on a stick. Like bread. It's yummy.

I never tried the geese as I couldn't get over the smell. It didn't smell too nice lol. But I have also munched all day so I wasn't too hungry for supper.

This was inside the teepee where we got to relax when tired.

I am just in awe with the weekend we had and I am so grateful for everything. This weekend has been a blessing in my life. I will always remember this.

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