Ojibwe Grandmothers and Elders came together for an apprentice circle called “Walking the Wheel” exploring the teachings of the Medicine Wheel by the seasons. Throughout the 13-month journey, workshop participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum around coming of age encompassing a wide range of topics, including Roles & responsibilities, Honor of the Creation Story, Sixth Fire and Original Instructions and more!
Historically and, traditionally, it is the right of any wounded warrior to retrieve a fallen eagle feather. The eagle feather is the spirit of a fallen warrior and can only be matched in power by the same. This practice still remains over the centuries and should not be altered because of the consequences. Recording and photographing such a ceremony is strictly forbidden. The spirit will show itself in its own time, especially to the young and innocent
For countless generations our people have told each other stories and legends during the long cold winter nights. There was more time to spend contemplating the meaning of every story. Every person took what meaning he could from these stories and grew wiser in the ways of his people.
There are Seven Fires of Ojibwe creation, It was during the second fire that the circle was created.
“That sacred circle is an essential and important teaching of the Anishinaabe people and tells the story of that wholeness. It is how the Anishinaabe view themselves, how they view their communities and how they view their actions.
Early drums were often pegged to the ground with four decorated willow staffs that had sacred rattles attached to them to accentuate the sound. Ancient drummers sat on the ground on a bison robe, connected to the Mother Earth. If the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth, it is the eagle whistle that sounds with the breath of the Creator.
“Sometimes Little People come as helpers. They could bring teachings too and they may be bringing you a lesson in a mischievous way, so you have to always be cautious about them, but then once you’re their friend, they teach you all the good things.”
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