I told this story to a friend in the campground, Gillian of Saskatchewan, who knows the ways of First Nation people through her work as an alternative educator. She said that in Saskatchewan it would be a rare occurrence to give away the smudge dish and ceremonial feather. The tribe does not offer its secrets… Read More

FIRE CIRCLE (Liturgy) AT THE LIGHTHOUSE, Part Four The Benediction: Kevin picks up his grandfather’s medicine bag from the blanket, pulls out grandfather’s ring, and rubs it between his fingers. “Am I thinking about the fight I had with my wife?” he asks. “Who am I thinking about?” “Grandfather,” says the blue-eyed woman from England. “Yis,… Read More

FIRE CIRCLE (Liturgy) AT THE LIGHTHOUSE, Part Three  The evening program at Gros Morne National Park continues.    The Sermon:   None of this ain’t nothing, right? Kevin tells the group gathered around the red blanket: “Grandfather advised me to seek spiritual direction from an elder. Afterward, I dreamed of a large bear, but I… Read More