Can you imagine looking at the Earth from the moon? Winter solstice is upon us and we are on the cusp of the longest night and the shortest day of the year, but much like the teachings on a turtle’s back, we are rhythmically moving towards the light. The light reminds us to be hopeful because if we focus on intergenerational growth and community wellness, we can build a new world. We must proceed with compassion and equity to overcome minor inconveniences. Hope reminds us that things get better when we persevere. We must review what’s not working, plan for the future and take action.

Hope is also embedded in the Ininew generosity pipe teaching. During the holiday season, we often look for the latest gadgets, but consider gifting a traditional action teaching. Action brings knowledge acquisition and interdependence within the community. It’s also introspective which allows us to find success from our current space and place. When we connect hope to items, we will feel a sense of loss when we have grown bored of them. Action teachings foster lifelong learning and happiness that can come from personal growth.

Come and join the pipe ceremony and potluck feast and learn about the pipe teaching of generosity. Plates, cups, cutlery and a traditional tea will be provided. Please do not bring food containing nuts or pork.

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.