Indigenous Teachings for Uncertain Times ELDER NII GAANI AKI ININI (Leading Earth Man) – DR. DAVID COURCHENE, HON. LL.D. Ancestral, land-based teachings that bring balance to life. An

Indigenous Teachings for Uncertain Times ELDER NII GAANI AKI ININI (Leading Earth Man) – DR. DAVID COURCHENE, HON. LL.D. Ancestral, land-based teachings that bring balance to life. An Indigenous Perspective on healing, connection and Mino-Pi-Mati-Si-Win – A Good and Peaceful Way of Life. Donations welcomed towards The Turtle Lodge http://www.turtlelodge.org THE CALL OF NATURE The Elders say, “What you do to the land and Nature you do to yourself.” Because we have harmed nature, we have harmed ourselves. We have to surrender to the fact that Nature is in control and always has been. We need to stop and reconcile with Mother Earth for all the harm that we have done to her. Our world will not change until we remember the Original Instructions we were given in how to be a human being. At the end of the day, we all have to realize how fragile our lives are, and how dependent we are upon the land for everything. Now, collectively, we must become true stewards of the land and teach our children the truth of that sacred relationship. We can’t live without the Animal, Bird, Fish, and Plant life. Nature is essential for human existence. Now is the time for change. This is the call of Nature: Change or you will not survive. Miigwech to the Institute of Traditional Medicine who originally broadcast this teaching with Elder Dave Courchene live on Facebook on April 15, 2020.

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Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater) was a great leader - a respected Elder, Knowledge Keeper and ceremonial leader from the Dakota Nation. Henry sang this ancient Dakota song he referred to as the

Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater) was a great leader - a respected Elder, Knowledge Keeper and ceremonial leader from the Dakota Nation. Henry sang this ancient Dakota song he referred to as the Spirit of Life song often. He would share the Dakota creation story of a little blue light that would come from a little house in the heavens to enter a mother's womb, make a journey on the earth as it walks its life as human being, and then return back to the little house in the heavens. The meaning of the Spirit of Life song, as shared by Henry Skywater, is: Lightning beings! It's me! It's me! (x2) There is a house in the heavens where I was born It's me! It's me! Lightning beings! It's me! It's me! (x2) This song is being shared with the permission of Henry Skywater's family, who are sharing the song to continue his work of helping the people. This video is posted on behalf of the Turtle Lodge, where Henry Skywater was an Elder and Knowledge Keeper for many years, and the Elders Circle Seven, who created the Mikinak-Keya Spirit Tour at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, as a tribute in honour of Elder Henry Skywater. http://www.turtlelodge.org/staff-view/mah-pe-ya-mini-henry-skywater/ Song recorded and video edited by Nu Media Films

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Panel Discussion with Knowledge Keepers – Part 1/ June 23, 2020

(Canada)

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Anishinaabe Elder Dr. David Courchene, Métis

Panel Discussion with Knowledge Keepers – Part 1/ June 23, 2020

(Canada)

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Anishinaabe Elder Dr. David Courchene, Métis Cree knowledge keeper Maria Campbell, and Inuk professor and Elder Dr. Karla J. Williamson participated in a panel discussion with Canadian Ministers Carolyn Bennett, Marc Miller, and Dan Vandal. This first installment in a two-part conversation touches on a variety of important topics to Indigenous peoples across Canada.(transcript)

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