Happy Summer Solstice from Manitoulin, Island Canada 🇨🇦

Happy Summer Solstice from Canada.

One of the most important holidays in my Metis / Ojibwe tradition here on Manitoulin Island, Canada.

The Summer Solstice is a time of gathering of many villages or bands. The ceremony goes for 4 days and is more of a time of teaching and fellowship. It is normally the largest of the Waabanowin ceremonies in the number of people. The ceremony starts at dusk with the lighting of the Mishi-ishkode or sacred fire.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabunowin

Source: http://3cowsandacone.com/blog/2018/6/20/10-places-to-go-on-manitoulin-island

There are two significant celestial events observed by many indigenous cultures across North America, the winter solstice and the summer solstice. It’s the latter that provides us with our annual spiritual re-awakening that is shared with many indigenous cultures across Turtle Island.

For the Anishinaabe, the summer solstice marks the closest approach in the celestial dance of our grandfather, Mishoom Giizis – the Sun.

Each year, on June 21, our grandfather Giizis makes his dance to the highest point in the sky, on the longest day of the year, before he begins his retreat to reverse his cycle. This glorious spiritual dance continues along that Spirit trail as we count the phases of the moon and other celestial occurrences during the year.

Source: https://www.anishinaabe.ca/summer-solstice-a-spiritual-dance/

Map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoulin_Island

Images Source : https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g2426191-d10307802-Reviews-Providence_Bay_Beach-Providence_Bay_Manitoulin_Island_Northeastern_Ontario_Onta.html

Join the party … see you at the Festivals this week.

Coast to coast to coast.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/beaded-map-canada-completion-1.5712673

Beadwork by Amanda Laliberte, Ashley Copage, Ashley McKenzie-Dion, Didi Grandjambe, Jennelle Doyle, Joelle Charlie, Kyla Woodward, Lenore Augustine, Marissa Magneson, Mellz Compton, Monique Jolly, and Rena Laboucan. Graphic design by Justin Romero.