Treaty 2 Territory- The residential school in Brandon was established in 1895 by the Department of Indian Affairs at the urging of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Church. The Methodists, who assumed management of the school, wanted an industrial residential school for children from north of Lake Winnipeg, where most of their missions were […]
Treaty 2 Territory- Earth Lodge Keeper, Allen Sutherland (Waabshkii Masinazoot Michtaatim) and Earth Lodge Development Helper, Renée McGurry spent an afternoon harvesting white sage at Wasagaming. Before harvesting, Allen started with a prayer of thanks as we put down tobacco on Mother Earth. For medicinal or food purposes, white sage can be harvested any time of year. In general, how dry the plant is determines how it can be […]
Definition and Origin Treaty 2 Territory- The word “smudging” comes from “smudge,” which is English in origin. However, the term has been used widely to refer to the smudging ceremonies of First Nations peoples, in which sacred herbs and medicines are burned as part of a ritual, or for cleansing or health purposes. Indigenous peoples have their […]
History of Offering Tobacco (Asemaa) Treaty 2 Territory- The first and most important protocol when making requests of a First Nations elder or knowledge keeper is making an offering of asemaa (tobacco). Asemaa, was the first gift of medicine that was given to us by the Creator. It is used when asking things of others, making […]
Treaty 2 Territory- “Once you learn your language, you really understand the Anishinaabe world view, Unknowingly, you will start to look at the world differently.” Language, given to us by the Creator, brings sacred law and sacred teachings. Through our language we have a sacred understanding of who we are as a people. We are […]
