Our creature teacher, the Canada goose, is a warrior who teaches us how to evolve. They start off wobbly and struggling to get themselves into the air, but their method is tried, tested and true. It may start as a desire to fly, or a strong conviction to change, but it is consistency and practice that brings success. Although they bounce in their earlier practice, their positivity creates gratitude and hopefulness. Making a clean change requires hope, ultimate protection and control, which the goose has formed into a workable shape.
“Hope is born in the goose’s understanding that no matter how hard they must work, they can succeed like the young chick trying to master a tall curb when their legs are small,” says Cree Knowledge Keeper Marilyn Dykstra. “They get hope from seeing others succeed and they control their fear of change. Their protection emanates from their community kinship within Wahkowtowin. However, their first relationship starts with themselves.”
They break out of their shell without help and they continue to grow. They never see their reflection and think terrible things, but rather their reflection is the strength of their community who step in to encourage.
Marilyn explains how geese strut with their head in the air, and a wiggle in their walk because they know, they are the representation of the Inninewak teachings that are steeped in honour and interconnection. Their blood is not just red; it’s goose blood that proves change brings the ability to move into new bigger spaces.
If you have attended past sessions and did not finish your activity, please bring it back to this session and we will work as a community to encourage and support each other to finish the journey.
