In this session, Cree Knowledge Keeper Marilyn Dykstra invites you to learn how our relatedness provides us with our identity and ceremony, and how they are guided by respect and reciprocity. It encompasses a deep honour, care for Creation and considerate action towards all Mother Earth’s beings. 

The moose is a great teacher and is also a land and water manager. They remind us to honour our reciprocal relationship with the four legged. Our ancestors made sacred traditional agreements with the moose, and we need to follow those agreements because as they take care of us, we must take care of them. It’s a ceremonial relationship.

The moose teach us to work with many beings within Wahkowtowin and not demand things from others that we are in relationship with. We are living in close quarters right now and all relationships must be respectful. We need to live with integrity, respect, and accountability for our actions. Everything is relationship and relational. 

The moose also works with the Grey Jay bird who has an abundance of wisdom to share as our teacher. He is tied to many Wasakechak stories that we share during this time of year. The Grey Jay teaches us how to keep our “nests” and care for our families as they lay their eggs in late February. We also rely on the teachings of the Grey Jay on how to prepare our food stores for winter. Their silvery wings mimic the shining snow we see this time of year. 

Our ultimate protection is provided when we honour our reciprocal relationships. We do not need to look far to see the two‐legged, four‐legged and the winged ones’ respectful interconnections. 

The first 25 registered and participating visitors will be given the opportunity to make a pony bead flower keychain.

This workshop is part of a monthly Wahkowtowin and Ways of Being series led by Knowledge Keeper Marilyn Dykstra. Each month, we will explore a variety of moon, pole and tea teachings in the Inninewak (Cree) tradition.

Wahkowtowin – which translates to kinship – highlights how relationships, communities and the natural world are all interconnected.

Participants will discover and reflect on their connections with each other, with balance and with human rights through teachings and a traditional tea.

Traditional Helper Peyton will support the teachings while she continues her learning journey within Wahkowtowin.

Marilyn Dykstra is a status Bill C31 First Nations woman from northern Manitoba. She has been immersed in a working matriarchal system that practised Indigenous ways of thinking and being since she was born. Alongside her family, she has participated in many peaceful social justice movements.

Marilyn uses her matriarchal knowledge as a foundation for her work in the Indigenous community, which has been ongoing for over thirty years. She still follows her matriarchal teachings, but she has also spent her life learning traditional knowledge and passing the teachings on.

She is a pow wow dancer, knowledge keeper, and she carries the responsibility of a bundle. She happily participates in naming ceremonies, sweats, pipe ceremonies, moon teachings and more.