Biggest Pot Luck Ever!

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Inside the Teaching Lodge
Inside the Teaching Lodge at Elders and Youth Gathering, September 2010
Inside the Teaching Lodge
Inside the Teaching Lodge at Elders and Youth Gathering, September 2010

THUNDER BAY – There is ALWAYS something cool to do in Thunder Bay!  Next week, starting on Wednesday, you could come out and learn how to erect a sweat lodge.  We will have plenty of great food on hand and great socializing! We will prepare the saplings first on Wednesday.

Then on Thursday, we will start to build the lodges:  sweat lodge and teaching lodge.  Again, we will have plenty of food and fun on hand!  It is a great opportunity for all of us to receive teachings as we learn how to build the lodges!  We have many volunteers coming out!  Thursday evening will be the first sweat lodge.

Friday morning will be the official opening of the teaching lodge with a sharing of teachings, songs and experiences afterwards.  We welcome individuals from all cultures and backgrounds to bring your teachings and experiences to the lodge and share with everyone attending.  If you are so inclined, you can drum and sing some songs for the lodge.  Friday night will host a second sweat lodge.

Then Saturday will be the big celebration day, welcoming spring! With more sharing of teachings, songs and experiences.  We will be holding a huge “Indian Auction” Saturday night to raise funds for the fall Elders and Youth Gathering.  Bring your donated items and bids with you!

Then on Sunday we will have closing prayers and take the lodges down.  For more information, please refer to the timelines listed below:

Waabi-Ma’iingan (Grey Wolf) Traditional Teaching Lodge Welcomes YOU to:

Spring Ceremonies

May 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2011

Centennial Park, TBay – Toboggan Hill

Wednesday, May 11: Volunteers meet at 9 am at chalet, will be cutting down saplings, gathering firewood and grandfathers (stones) for the ceremony, pot luck around noon, continue working till done.

Thursday, May 12: Volunteers meet at 9 am at chalet, ground blessing and building of lodges (teaching lodge and sweat lodge), pot luck around noon, continue working, (on your own for supper break between 4 to 6 pm), sweat lodge in the evening (around 6 pm).

Friday, May 13: 9 am start time, Teaching Lodge Opening (toboggan hill), sharing of teachings/songs/experiences, pot luck around noon, continue sharing in the afternoon, (on your own for supper break between 4 to 6 pm), sweat lodge in the evening (around 6 pm).

Saturday, May 14: 9 am start time (toboggan hill), sharing of teachings/songs/experiences, pot luck around noon, continue sharing in the afternoon, (on your own for supper break between 4 to 6 pm), “Indian Auction” starting at 7 pm to raise funds for Elders and Youth Gathering.

Sunday, May 15: 9 am start time (toboggan hill), sharing of teachings/songs/experiences, pot luck around noon, then take down of lodges.

Everyone is encouraged to bring: tobacco, chairs, blankets, pot luck food, women are encouraged to wear long skirts.  John Lathlin will be one of the guiding Elders and we have invited a woman Elder as well.

Grey Wolf is an Inclusive Lodge. Absolutely everyone is welcome!!  We welcome all donations of pot luck food, firewood and grandfathers (stones).

If you require additional information, please contact Cindy Crowe at 807.473.9851 or toll free at 1-888-852-5856. Email any inquiries to crowe@tbaytel.net and additional information available at: www.greywolfteachinglodge.ca and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=2399059332

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Aaron Paquette
Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs premiere First Nations artists known for his bright colours, strong lines and for sharing new ways of looking at age-old experiences and beliefs. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Aaron has been creating art for the past 20 years. He apprenticed and has become both a Cathedral Stained Glass artist and a Goldsmith, influences of which can be seen in the line and structure of his paintings – displayed in various galleries throughout the country. Aaron is also an experienced facilitator, trainer and engaging public speaker. He has worked with the Royal Conservatory’s adjunct program -Learning Through the Arts- as both a Mentor Artist and as the First Nations Representative and Consultant in Alberta. This experience focused on providing the skills and background knowledge for infusing differentiated learning within the general curriculum in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Aaron has collaborated with Ministries, Teachers’ Associations, and various community members and teachers, providing region wide teacher workshops and in- school experiences related to the art curriculum that also provide an FNMI perspective. Through this collaboration, he also provides student workshops, professional development sessions and artist-in- residence programs. A skilled communicator, Aaron has worked with Alberta Education in reconciliation, specifically between communities and school administration. He has worked for years with the Edmonton Public School Board with both in-class sessions and special sessions for promising young artists. The Catholic School Boards in the Central and Northern Alberta region have also enlisted Aaron in many projects ranging from elementary school visits that tie art into curricular learning to mural painting with High School students.