From the category archives:

Native Traditions

I’ve noticed quite a few, “Top Posts of 2011″ and the like from writers in the blogging community.

I however have decided to choose from the much smaller collection from whence this blog began.

Why? Because I started out as an irregular, complete novice. Who still does not post everyday. However, come this year a whole lot of things are changing. The face of this site for one. Come February it’s going to be shiny and new, a hub for all that I do. More on that later.

This collection here? Is for me to share with those whom want to get to know me better, or those whom I really, really, like and want them to know me better. The awesome part about that is that it’s often a combo of the two.

It’s also a source of inspiration, for me – to come back to and meander over how I’ve evolved as a writer, found my voice and developed my mad blogging skillz. Because. Like I said. I plan on doing much more of this. In many ways. As an advocate, as a story-teller, as an ambassador and paid writer. But most importantly, for me and other women like me out there. Because the writing stuff? It heals. It empowers. It unites.

So. This curated list will be the first step into my second coming. A more frequent, constantly learning, embracing the everyday that is me. As a writer.  Gone the name acronyms will be, it’s about to get straight-up – the edgy that is me, REAL in here.

Without further ado…to serve as reminder to me. Kicks in the pants to me and FYI’s for you. So pull up a chair. Pour yourself a glass of vino. (I’m publishing this in the eveing people, as I pour myself a glass). Dig in. [click to continue…]

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Over the weekend, our elder came to visit. This woman, this goddess, this Midewin Healer, has brought so much cohesion, knowledge, love, ceremony, healing and understanding into our family. I am grateful everyday for the relationships that have transpired because of you and me, songbird. Songbird is one of my best girl’s and our elder is her mama.

The Naming Ceremony

This particular visit was to ‘officially’ offer her sema (tobacco, one of the four sacred medicines) to seek a name for our new growing baby, still on the inside, so that she may begin the task of prayer and fasting. For those of you who don’t know, this is part of the process called, The Naming Ceremony, a First Nations Cultural ceremony.

It is where one receives their spirit name, which tells you something about that person, their personality, their mission in this life. Parents may choose to use the spirit name given by their elder as a first or second name.

When a name is decided upon, the naming ceremony begins. Most of the time, the one who presents the name is the one to whom the sema was given, but this is not always the case. The name is presented to the grandfather spirits in the four directions, and everyone who is in the ceremony has to say that traditional name is presented. The family usually prepares a feast and does a giveaway. [click to continue…]

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Our Birth Plan

June 8, 2011

This baby is comin’ in but a few short weeks or so (6?). ‘Official’ due date being Aug. 1. So i’m fine tuning our Birth Plan, and NO – it’s not our Holy Grail. We know things could go down other than planned, I’m aiming for a natural birth again (this time in the water), [...]

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Peter Cotton-Tail was in the Hizz-ouse.

April 26, 2011

There was feasting and ceremony and treasure hunts and skype visits and flying chickadees, but above all glee. Glee to be gathered, but missing our beautiful kwe’s.  They have been flying reindeer, making music and a documentary with Adjagas, (courtesy Big Soul Productions and a whack of other talented film peeps), some fabulous Sammi musicians [...]

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No No Keshagesh…Reconsider This

October 8, 2010

*UPDATE 2012: This post is a biggie. Leave it open on your browser. Come back to it often. Soak it up in all of it’s entirety. Please.* In lieu of the upcoming holidays; there is much to be thankful for, much to discuss in love and unity, much to reconsider. I was in a debate recently [...]

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Back To The Drawing Board…

September 14, 2010

So I did not get into the market. Poo Poo. Truth be told, it’s probably for the best as I’d be tearing my hair out to make enough product to sell over the 6 weekends. While it was/is a great opportunity/initiative; I’m not ready yet, in many ways! No dice for market means that I [...]

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To Market, To Market…

August 24, 2010

So I’m nutters. It’s official. Most of you may have noticed that in lieu of the huge summer projects that I have on the go, that le petite reve has been put on hold until the fall. Big, huge, time-waffling projects. The most important one being, which I LOVE – my growing baby, my sweet [...]

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To Have & Have Not

May 11, 2010

What no words can paint. You, my Little Big Spirit Running; my Leader From The Sky, my prodigal son, have bequeathed unto me a blessing of the highest order. Your presence, your trust, your life, your love. As I sit and flounder over adjectives to describe the ample hole you have filled in this well-traveled [...]

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