Sunday, 8 September 2013

Sept 20, 21 - Fall Ceremonies at Sandy Saulteaux Centre


To members of the Just Living group,

One of the ideas which we have talked about in the Just Living group is establishing better relations with Aboriginal people. There is an upcoming opportunity to meet in a positive way with Aboriginal people and, in particular, help out and get to know some of our neighbours at the Oak Table.

I am trying to organize a group of people who would like to attend Fall Ceremonies at Sandy Saulteaux Centre by camping out at the Centre (near Beausejour) on Friday September 20 and staying for the celebration on Saturday Sept. 21. There are several people from the Oak Table who would like to do this, but they have no way of getting out on the Friday night. So, if you’re interested, we would meet at Augustine at 6 pm, form partnerships with Oak Table friends, and drive out to camp at the Centre.

That evening, elders Jules and Margaret Lavalee will light the sacred fire and share teachings. Saturday morning, there will be a sunrise ceremony. Then, around 10 pm, about 100 other people – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – will arrive. The day is filled with workshops, activities for adults and kids like “Indian baseball”, wandering the grounds, a sweat lodge for those who wish, all ending with a big feast on Saturday night, breaking camp and returning home.

The stated purpose of this weekend is “Feast For Friends – a day to meet each other in friendship, to learn together, to share stories together, to play together, to feast together … to become a people who walk together.” The Sandy Saulteaux Centre is a United Church training facility committed to the idea of walking the two roads: Christianity and traditional Aboriginal teachings. Everything is free, although donations are welcome. For those who can’t camp, the Centre has rooms available for $55.

This will be a real opportunity to form better relations with Aboriginal people. If you’re interested in attending Friday night and Saturday, please phone me at (204) 338-0090.

- submitted by Mike

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