The Tradition of Winter Council |
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Every year we come to winter council, we acknowledge our achievements
Of the past year and strategize our plans for the upcoming year. Recently, I had wondered what really happened traditionally at Winter Council, how did it come together, no phones, faxes, or computers, just the winds and the inner knowing of the old ones. The answers came to me in the gentle voice of my Elder, Grandmother Parisha. The people begin to gather, and traveling winter villages began to spring up as if by magic. People arrive from near and far, and the air stirs with excitement as they prepare for the 28 days of Winter Council. Each family or clan has a hearth fire where all will gather to eat, craft, and socialize. It is a time of sharing, of ideas, of remedies old and new, how to blend a new color, different ways to tan a skin so it would be even softer: the key to everything is sharing. The people want to show all the new skills they have learned over the past year, so all can grow and help better one another. Someone passes a busy fire, and notices a craft being created, or a salve being made that is new to them. Curiosity and interest are shown, and an invitation is extended to stay a few days, and learn these new gifts. Appreciation and gratitude are always expressed but in a silent and quiet way. It will be noticed if a person’s moccasins were worn, or maybe their hair ribbons were looking a bit bedraggled. Whatever is the need will appear at their door without a word being spoken. Yet all will know gratitude has been expressed. Some people will arrive broken and weak with sickness, and the healers among the people greet them as they arrive. No one is made to feel wrong or a pariah. They are taken across the river from the camp so the sickness will not spread. Fires are lit, food is cooked, remedies and healing salves lovingly prepared and administered to the new arrivals. The Old Ones and the Grandmothers will weave beautiful hangings to cover the walls of the shelters, and as they create them they sing and weave prayers into the fabric of their work. The Old Ones always know exactly how many broken ones will arrive, and always the right number of houses and wall hangings are prepared in a loving and caring way. Healers share their knowledge of healing and of the various herbs and the special places in which to find them. Some herbs are easier to find on your moon time’ an old one will say, and a young girl listens and easily finds the plants she was looking for. All is done in the spirit of sharing and cooperation. It is the time when marriages take place and useful gifts are given, or be taken back to the new clan, and all are celebrated. A moon lodge is built for women on their moon time, and the men come and sit outside the moon lodge and play beautiful love songs on the flute, to the women nestled inside. Warriors come and hang small gifts in the trees, honoring this sacred and powerful time of woman. Inside women anoint each other with scented oils, comb and braid each other’s hair, and nurture with gentle touch, stories and song. We move now to the council where many are gathered for the elections.People stand who have been weak in their responsibilities in the past year and relinquish their seats to ones who can fulfill it in better and stronger ways. One would never give up his or her seat to another who is weaker, but to someone who has strengths in their particular area and is deemed more capable. This is done in a ceremonial way, and a handing off takes place. The person stepping down is always willing to assist the new one until they are comfortable in their new seat of responsibility. All is done in a pure and good way; everything is done for the good and benefit of all. Important information is shared and passed on, many interesting and new things are learned and shared. Goods are bartered and traded, songs and dances shared and enjoyed: it is a time of laughter and fellowship and joyful education. People love to watch the dancing young people as they whirl like the wind in strenuous fancy dancing, while the Old Ones look on and dream and remember. Others who have passed on are remembered in the dancing, and a space is left for them so their spirits can join in the dances. By the evening fires women cuddle for warmth and friendship, and children snuggle with their grandfathers and grandmothers as the end of a happy, exiting and nurturing 28 days are drawing to an end. It is the time of going home again, to share all the magical gifts of Winter Council, to remember and dream the dreams of Winter Councils past and the many still to come. Stikayi |
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