Indigenous Studies Program Visions, Goals, Protocols 101, 201 & 301
Session 1
Session 1
LEVEL 101: Meaning of Opening, Closing Prayer, Remarks, blessings. Invocations at Ceremonies and Gatherings
It is customary to begin our Indigenous ceremonial activities with an Opening Remark, Prayers, Blessings, Invocations and Berries or fruit is offered to everyone in the circle. Many times, we hear or see Opening Prayers as the term being used in meetings and conferences .
We can explore whether and how words can become triggers for some people to past harmful experiences such as Indian Residential School, Day School, 60’s Scoop etc. What are the alternative words that we can use in this context?
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The learner will be able to describe how they feel about the use of certain words such as: prayers; don’t cry; what we need to do to show respect to self; to others; and to our ancestor spirits during ceremonies. Session 1 will include the concept of the RED ROAD which is a description of a life long commitment to follow Indigenous customs, traditions and protocols.
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Describe your philosophy toward Indigenous education.
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Assess and interpret your self-care learning style.
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Describe your motivation for attending Indigenous teachings and establish personal goals.
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While in the Teaching Circle activities, use discovery and intention statements for self-assessment and self-improvement.
LEVEL 201: Creating the Medicine Wheel
It is customary to begin each day with our Indigenous activities with an Opening Ceremony to offer tobacco, cedar, sage, sweetgrass to the four directions included in a medicine bowl and food. We will also use a Berry ceremony which is offered to everyone in the circle.
The Learner will be able to:
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Describe the intent of the Medicine Wheel teachings as a teaching tool to guide participants in the Anishinabe philosophies.
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Lay the medicine wheel blanket on the floor and hand out 5 grandfather/grandmother stones to each participant.
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Each Learner will place their stones in the medicine wheel and they will record their personal number stones in a text book and may also take pictures of the placed stones.
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When the class is over, each Learner will then place their stones in a bag which they will take home with them to place them in a safe place by on a nightstand or table beside their bed.
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Each participant will bring their stones to each of the 8 medicine wheel sessions.
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Each participant will place their own personal stones on the medicine wheel blanket on the floor at each session and remove them at the end of each class.​
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Session 1 - Smudging Ceremony:
Smudging is used for physical, spiritual, or mental cleansing. Smudging ceremonies might be performed when healing is needed or when one seeks to refocus their energy and their spirit. Sage or other sacred medicines are burned and the smoke is then wafted around oneself to clear the air of any negativity. Sacred plants and medicines are a crucial part of any Indigenous culture and can be attuned to the needs of the user through sacred ritual.
The first Ska-bee will also assist the Elder in conducting the Smudging and the Thunder rock ceremony. Learners will receive instruction from the Elder to begin each session with; an Opening Ceremony to offer tobacco, cedar, sage, sweetgrass to the four directions included in a medicine bowl and an offering of food. Learners will conduct a Berry ceremony which is offered to everyone in the circle.
Strawberry Ceremony:
The Strawberry Ceremony seeks to honor the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls through payment of respects, speeches, songs, and dances. The strawberry is traditionally a women’s fruit and is often referred to as the heart berry in indigenous culture.
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Place the Star blanket on the floor . Review the Morning Star teaching.
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Each Learner will place their sacred objects on a red cloth; which may include their drum, rattle, bowl, stones, colored flags, feathers and any other personal items that they carry in their bags.
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Each Learner will wear their shell necklace and shell wrist band.
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Each Learner will then light their smudge bowls with the four medicines.
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Each Learner will then smudge themselves before they smudge all of their sacred objects.
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The presiding Ska-bee will then perform the Thunder rock ceremony with the Elder as instructed.
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When the class is over, each Learner will then wrap up their sacred items and take them home in a bag to take home and placed in a safe place away from children and others.
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Each participant will bring their bag of sacred items to each of the 7 sessions.
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Each participant will place their own personal items on the star blanket on the floor at each session as described and remove them at the end of each class. ​​
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