Waawiyezi Mnonaadzi, the Circle of Life

We dance in a circle, we sit in a circle, the sun is a circle, it is said that everything in life is part of a circle. Ashes to ashes dust to dust. We come from our Mother Earth and we return to our Mother Earth. For us that circle carries the many gifts of life and the teachings that come to us.

Niiwiin Mshkikian, the Four Sacred Plants

The Anishnaabek received gifts of medicinal plants from each of the four directions. Each has a purpose in daily living. Although there are many plants used for specific medical reasons these four especially revered and used in daily living. When harvesting another plant or taking and animal for use I like to offer semaa by placing it on the ground and making a thank you prayer.

Semaa, or tobacco, is one of the four sacred plants, representing waabanong the Eastern direction. Anishnaabek used a form of tobacco known as kinikinik, or red willow. Some still prefer to use the kinikinik, but many use store-bought tobacco. Semaa is used in the offering of prayer to the Creator, acting as a medium for communication. It is either offered to the fire, so the smoke can lift the prayers to the Creator, or it is set on the ground in a nice, clean place. This is done on a daily basis as each new day is greeted with prayers of thankfulness. The Elders say to hold it in your prayers of thankfulness. They also add that you are to hold it in your left hand as that is the hand closer to your heart. It is always good to offer Semaa when seeking knowledge or advice from an Elder or when a Pipe is present. I usually offer semaa with my left hand when asking for something. I prefer to offer it open or in a tie that breathes. I have for a long time thought we should have a method of carrying out the traditional method of giving someone semaa when we ask for teaching, favors or just someone to talk too. I often ask people to do things over email or the phone and then promise to give semaa at our fist meeting. With that in mind I have taken a picture of my home grown semaa for that purpose. I send this electronic semaa when I ask electronically and still deliver the real thing upon meeting. After I harvest semaa I hang it in my shed to dry until the following year when I lay it out on the longest day of the year, make my prayers and allow Giizis the sun to purify it and make it ready for use.

Kiizhik, or cedar, represents zhaawnong the Southern direction. The leaves are cleaned from the stems and separated into small pieces which are used in many ways. When burned, Kiizhik acts as a purifier, emitting a pleasant piney scent and purifying the area. To prepare it I strip the tiny little leaves from the stems. The size of the piece depending upon what it’s to be used for. I like the smaller pieces. For the good life the Elders say to walk with some in your shoes. Kiizhik tea is used in ceremonies. Often the stones used in the sweat lodge are brushed down with kiizhik as they are brought in. The deer eat kiizhik during the winter months to prevent starvation. It will make early spring deer meat taste a bit strong.

Mashkodewashk also known as sage is used in much the same ways as Kiizhik. Mashkodewashk represents Epangishmak the western direction. It is burned in a bundle or in a shell and used as a purifier. Mashkodewashk has a heavy spicy smoke that purifies the surrounding area. Mashkodewashk is known most as a smudge. People do this many ways; I like to have my hair down so that the smoke will go through it all. When I smudge I go in a clockwise direction around the room or building. When I’m being smudged I take the smoke in my hands an wash it over my face and down my body, as I turn around in a clockwise fashion I lift my feet so the bottoms will be exposed. Although almost all of our activities with circles go in a clockwise direction some people go the other direction during funerals. People do this both ways at funerals so I do what the leader is doing.

Wiingash or sweet grass represents kiiwedinoong the northern direction. Wiingash is known for its beautifully sweet aromatic scent, which is enhanced when it rains or when it is burned. This, too, is a purifier and can be burned as a smudge. Many things are made with wiingash such as coiled baskets. It is often braided signifying the hair of O'gashnan (Our Mother the Earth). Each section that goes into the braid has a specific meaning. To some they represent our mind, body and spirit. To others they represent where they’ve been, where they are, and where they are going. They say if you wear your hair in a braid you’ll never be lost. I think that much of the wild wiingash is gone because of improper harvest. If you harvest you should go the first time with an experienced elder to learn the proper way of harvesting and thanking the plant for its use.