Winter Solstice 2020 - “Manidoo Giizisoons”, Little Spirit Moon

“Manidoo Giizisoons”, Little Spirit Moon

The first snow has many stories to share. Today Nokomis “grandmother” has spoken to us. Nokomis has begun to unbraid her long white hair letting it flow over her shoulders in order to cover her sleeping earth and water children. Turtles, frogs and other water beings are resting deep in the mud. Their body temperatures have lowered and they sleep until the wakening of spring winds and sun.

Ma’kwa, “bear” has eaten Tamarack bark, the biiboon medicine. We believe that Ma’kwa follows Nokomis for his biiboon vision quest journey. We understand Ma’kwa clan to be the knowledge keeper of the medicines. In return for responsibilities for wellness of all living things, Ma’Kwa is gifted with birthing their newborns during the middle of biiboon giiziis “winter moons”.

Nibi, “water” begins to form a winter blanket of new ice. Water beings and plants rest quietly and return again in the whispering wind songs of early spring. The awensiinag, “animals” are sporting their winter coats of thick fur.  The water animals; beaver, mink, muskrats, and otters have gathered a supply of winter food around and near their lodges. The summer winged ones have returned to their warmer climates and the winter bineshiinyag “birds” fill the day with their language of songs. The woodpeckers tap their messages in the forests.

During the time of Manidoo Giizisoons, we were taught to be quieter in our journey.  Biiboon giiziis, “winter moons” is the time to sew, make clothing and listen to the stories from our Elders. Our Mishomis, “grandfathers and fathers teach the young lads to repair and make hunting tools, all the time sharing the knowledge of respectful gathering. Winter camp moons, we also pray for the first-year newborns to survive the deep blankets of snow and cold medicine winds from the north.

 The smell of fresh snow; tasting the winter water gathered through the ice; listening to the call of a Blue Jay; greeting the morning sun and watching it set in the west are beautiful gifts from Creator.

 Miigwi’ch, miigwi’ch, miigwi’ch, chi miigwi’ch

 Marilyn Capreol, Shawanaga First Nation Ojibway band member, Huron Robinson Treaty.