North

The fourth and final direction on our path of life is the northern (giiwe-dinong) direction, which is the winter (beboon) or the elder (kikaa) direction. This is the time were the elders prepare to go home, to their place in the Land of the Souls. It is the time where we make baskets, regalias, and go ice fishing. This direction is symbolized by the bear (mukwa), the night time (niibaadibikat), and the color white (waabshkaa). In this final direction, the elders are encouraged to pass down their teachings to the youth, so the youth are able to continue their journey as well. According to my teachings, it is said that this is the time of year, where we are able to tell stories about our spirits without offending them, since they are sleeping. In this direction, we smudge sweetgrass (wiingash), Mother Earth's hair.

Northern Activities

• Storytelling
• Elder Teachings
• Art