Native Teachings weekend

Friday my husband and I packed up the RV and went North to spend the weekend with good friends learning about natural medicine of the Native people in our area. We camped on the grounds of this old catholic church.

It was built in 1911 on a Natives American reservation. In 2000 the Catholic church gave it back to the Native people where it is now used as a special gathering center.

The Native people work hard to keep the old church in good repair.

A fire was lit and kept burning all weekend.

Saturday morning Deb (a medicine women and pipe carrier for her people) began by telling us 2016 is the Year of the Women.
She is a knowledgeable and dynamic speaker. I could hardly keep up taking notes on all her teachings.
This weekend was centered on "Spring" with the awakening of the earth and plants. We learned about which plants in Spring are used for cleansing and healing.

Grandma's grandkids came and spent a day, in between teachings Grandma helped the kids make turtle pouches with teachings for the little ones.

Time to go home. Everyone was not happy about it.

 

In between teachings we worked on our own crafts.

Windi began a pine needle basket.

I quilted in my very favorite place to quilt, outside!

Sunday morning drumming under the cedar tree.

Cedar is considered "Women's medicine".
We learned to make a tea. It is drunk to cleanse the body getting rid of the toxins and keeping you in good health.

Men drink it before going into a sweat lodge.

We clipped a few branches from the cedar tree.

Left tobacco as an offering of thanks.

Only using the small greenery, pull them off and put into a pot. No brown parts what so ever.

Filled the pot with water.

Brought the pot to a light boil, let simmer until "midah" comes to the top.

(midah means-let the oil come to the top of the pot).
Seep awhile, then strain through cheesecloth. Add honey if desired. Then enjoy a cup everyday, hot or cold.

Windi finished her basket rim with dried cedar and a handle made from one of the cedar branches.

We also went to the ancient ones cemetery. Hidden away in the woods, left natural so not to be disturbed. These are the few "steps" leading up to the burial ground. They try to bury their dead in hills being closer to the Creator. Many of the graves are from the 1700's.

Ones with markers, 1800's.

This one being the Chief from the area.

It's just beautiful left natural, columbine flowers growing all around.

One side of the burial ground is the baby side.

If you look closely you can still see a little bit of the sheep outline.

Back at the center we learned to make fry bread.

Those who know me know I'm on gluten-free diet so I wasn't able to have them. They smelled delicious! Next teaching weekend I'm bringing my own flour to make them.
 

We had wonderful infused drinks. This one was a simple honey syrup, oranges, limes and mint.
Over ice it is very refreshing.

Driving the country roads we came onto this wonderful old abandon farm house and roosting on top of the chimney

a turkey vulture.