Cultural Protocol

• Listen for instruction for conduct expectations from elders/lodge carriers, Shcabewis (lodge helpers) as each lodge may be different in the way they conduct ceremonies.
• Sit in a circle (some places/elders will have men sit on one side and women sit on the other).
• Tobacco should always be offered when making a request for teachings and ceremonies.
• Feast food should always be prepared beforehand of ceremonies, teachings, and gatherings so spirit dish can be offered and blessed.
• Offerings, tobacco, should always be ready for elders/lodge carrier/pipe carrier.
• Never step over anyone or their belongings, as this is a sign of disrespect.
• Be careful around bundles, watch not to step over sacred items and handle them with respect.

Women’s Teachings

• Women should always wear a skirt below the knee in length to ceremonies. This shows honour and respect for your womanhood.
• Women sit with legs at side, closed or underneath them. This shows that you have respect for yourself and ability to give life.
• Women on their menstrual/moontime cycle are going through a natural cleansing/healing ceremony and therefore do not need to attend ceremonies at this time.

Be mindful of others and show respect for others who want to learn.

“Medicine Circle”

Cultural Orientation

• Medicine Gathering – Sage
• Teachings – pipe ceremony, sweat lodge, pipe ceremony, spirit name , clans, colors, etc.

Seasonal Feasts

• Fall – hosted by the Grade 11 students and staff
• Winter – hosted by the Grade 12 students and staff
• Spring – hosted by the Grade 9 students and staff
• Summer – hosted by the Grade 10 students and staff

Each grade level is responsible to prepare and serve a seasonal feast.

Pipe Ceremonies

• Monthly teachings
• Sweat lodges
• Feasts
• Sacred Fire
• Entering Grandmothers Teaching Lodge
• Women’s Teachings – Kamahmobeyot Ikwezanzsuk

Sweat lodge Ceremonies

• Monthly sweat lodge ceremonies officiated by the Traditional Advisors

Full Moon ceremony and teachings

• During full moon cycle - females

Entering Grandmothers Teaching Lodge

• Female Traditional Advisor, Female Teacher and Female students
• Pipe Ceremonies, Sweat Lodges, women’s teachings, hand drums and songs

Sacred Fire

• Male Traditional Advisor, Male Teacher and Male students
• Pipe Ceremonies, Sweat Lodges, fire teachings, big drum and songs

Remembrance Day

• Honouring Aboriginal Veterans
• Pipe Ceremony
• Sharing from Veterans

Graduation/Honouring Ceremony

• Honouring Graduates
• Awards and Scholarships

Seasonal Feasts – Protocol and Teachings

Preparation and care of Feast food

• Prayers are said by those who are preparing and serving the feast as they begin to make the feast.
• Food is never tasted before the spirit dish is prepared.
• Spirit dish is to be prepared and blessed during pipe ceremony. This dish can be prepared by a young man who has first smudged all the food and then prepares the dish.
• The Spirit dish is symbolic of giving back to the Creator thanks for all that we receive in life and to show our appreciation for the food to nourish and keep our bodies.
• Left over food should never been thrown out. Uneaten food on plates can be placed in a container and take out to the earth after the feast. Left over foods and drink can be given to the guests to take home as long as it is eaten and not wasted.

Service of Feast and Protocol

• Elders, Pipe Carrier, and honoured guests, are served to honour their sharing of gifts and knowledge to help the people live.
• Family members and guests are then served.
• Women who are on their moon time/ menstrual cycle.
• Young men can serve and prepare the dishes for the people.
• A little bit of each food being served can be placed on the plates in order to feed all your guests and then there is usually enough for seconds.
• You always want to make sure you have enough food to feed all the people.
• Clean up can be done by everyone to honour the blessing you have received from the participation in the Pipe Ceremony and Feast.

Seasonal Feasts

Purpose

• To acknowledge the season, gifts from this season/direction.
• To honour all that we as human beings receive in life.
• To give thanks to all of creation for giving of itself in order for us to have life.
• To unify our people and ask for blessing upon us (school) for each season/time.

Foods

• Meat – wild meat is preferable (moose, fish, buffalo, etc.) or domestic, Turkey, Chicken, or Beef.
• Rice – wild rice/white rice
• Corn – other vegetables can be offered as well
• Berries – strawberry, blue berry, Saskatoon, etc.
• Bannock
• Beverages – coffee, tea and juice, water

Pipe Ceremony

• Elder/pipe carrier is offered tobacco and a request is made for the pipe ceremony/teaching to bless our feasts, gatherings, etc.
• Water should be provided for the ceremony and officiator of the ceremony.
• Buffalo robe and a place should be made for the pipe carrier to officiate the ceremony.
• Offerings should be ready and prepared before hand and passed on to the pipe carrier for blessing, guidance and direction.
• Women on menstrual/moon time cycle can be given a place to be while ceremony is being officiated. This will be in accordance to the pipe carrier. As a woman in this cycle you are already going through a cleansing and healing ceremony.
• Women should also wear their skirt during the ceremony as this is respectful for your womanhood and ability of being a carrier of life.

All in attendance should listen, show respect and be mindful of others who want to learn during the ceremonies.

Sweat Lodge Ceremony

• Tobacco is always offered for the request of the Sweat Lodge Ceremony to the Lodge Carrier.
• Your intent for the request of the cleansing, teaching, healing ceremony will be given at this time with the offering of the tobacco.
• For request of Spirit names, clan, colors, dream interpretation, healing, etc., an offering of tobacco and a gift is appropriate for the request. The Lodge Carrier will give instruction for preparation for the request, as you may require cloth for offerings. You may also be required to offer berries and or a feast in honour of your request.
• Supplies needed for the ceremony:
  Males – shorts, towel, tobacco
  Females – skirt, gown, towel, tobacco
  If there are any offerings this should be prepared beforehand with the guidance of The Lodge Carrier or Shcabewis (helper).

Womens Teachings

• Menstrual Cycle/ Moon Time – need not participate as they are already in the natural cleansing/healing ceremony within their own body.
• Pregnant/with child – your already in this ceremony (symbolically) while carrying your child. Therefore you will not be entering the sweat lodge.

Sacred Teaching/Symbols/Meanings/Ojibwe

The seven teachings are given in the ceremonies, sharing circles, teachable moments, and Sacred Fire/Entering Grandmothers Teaching Lodge.

When an Elder/Pipe Carrier is requested to come share their knowledge, tobacco should be offered for the request. A gift is given in order to honour their knowledge, time and to show appreciation for what we receive is always appropriate.

Symbolism/Teachings

• Buffalo – teaching and symbol of Respect
• Eagle – teaching and symbol of Love
• Wolf – teaching and symbol of Humility
• Bear – teaching and symbol of Courage
• Sabe (big foot) – teaching and symbol of Honesty
• Beaver – teaching and symbol of Wisdom
• Turtle – teaching and symbol of Truth

Sacred Fire and Entering Grandmothers Teaching Lodge

Sacred Fire

• Men's role and responsibility
• Men are the keepers and carriers of the fire
• Tobacco is offered for guidance and direction to an Elder for instructions/teachings in regards to the sacred fire.
• Ceremony is usually 4 days and nights (unless given other instructions)
• Sacred Fire is a time for giving thanks, seeking blessing, meditation, seeking direction/guidance for themselves and the school.

Entering Grandmother's Teaching Lodge

• Women's role and responsibility
• Women are the keepers and carriers of Water
• Tobacco is offered for teachings, ceremonies and guidance during this gathering.
• Women pray and give thanks, seek guidance and direction, support for their role in life.

Full Moon Ceremony

• Women pray and give thanks during the full moon for all of life
• they seek guidance, direction and support from each other during this gathering for their own life, family, relatives and all of creation.
• Women who carry Moon Bundles officiate this ceremony and they have helpers who also assist.
• Some women who carry these bundles will allow women on their moon time/menstrual cycle to attend.

Hosting an Elder/Traditional Teacher

• Tobacco is offered and the request for the teachings or ceremonies is made.
• Feast food or a meal can be prepared to host your guests at this time.

*Always remember to seek instruction or listen for guidance while attending ceremonies.

*Never do anything you are not comfortable with.