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Lesson Two: Curtis Clearsky 48 Feasting is an important cultural celebration that occurs throughout dierent times in a year (13 Moon cycle) for many dierent reasons. Feasts occur after ceremonies. Such as at the end of a Pow-wow, to conclude a Naming Ceremony, after a funeral, and more. Feasts also occur during special occasions like birthdays, first thunder of the year, and weddings. Even during holidays. A feast can also occur to give thanks to the Creator, to our ancestors, or even for the community. Like all important cultural practices, feasts begin with an oering of tobacco, and all attendants smudge. Next, before everyone eats a Spirit Dish is made. A Spirit Dish is made to connect us to the Creator and to our ancestors. A Spirit Dish is made up of tiny portions of the food that is being served. Placed on a biodegradable plate or placed upon birch bark. The Spirit Dish is then placed in nature to feed the spirits who work so hard to protect us. Sometimes there are specific practices and protocols during a feast. For example, women usually prepare the feast, and Elders eat first. Traditional foods are served at feasts such as wild rice, corn, berries, bannock, and wild meat/fish. The Medicine Wheel is made up of four quadrants. The top quadrant is called the Northern Door- way. It is usually labelled on the outside with an "N" or as North. The right-side quadrant is called the Eastern Doorway. It is usually labelled on the outside with an "E" or as East. The bottom quadrant is called the Southern Doorway. It is usually labeled with an "S" or as South. Finally, the left-side quadrant is called the Western Doorway. It is usually labelled with a "W"or as West. The North quadrant of the Medicine Wheel will be labelled Wild Meat. The East quadrant will be labeled Berries. The South quadrant will be labelled Corn and in the West quadrant label it Wild Rice. Start in the East. Like the Sun rising, we always start in the East (right-side) when using a Medi- cine Wheel graphic organizer. Berries are an important part of the feast because they symbolize life. In the Anishinaabe culture, strawberries represent women and blueberries represent men. Eating them together represents the life that men and women create together. We eat berries at the feast to celebrate life. Next, in the South, we talk about the importance of corn. Corn is important in a feast because it symbolizes Mother Earth, what we receive from Mother Earth and reminds us to respect nature. As we eat the corn, we are to be thankful for all the food we can receive from Mother Earth's soils. In the West, we talk about the importance of wild rice. Wild rice is important in a feast because it represents water. Wild rice grows in shallow waters and the plant can reach great lengths, up to ten feet. Eating wild rice reminds us of the importance of water for all life. We need to respect water and remember that water is sacred. Without water, there would be no us. Finally, in the North, we talk about the importance of wild meat/fish. When we eat wild meat/ fish we should be thankful towards the animal for sustaining our lives. We need to respect all animals and where they live and grow. Wild meat/fish also represents relationships and sharing. In the circle of life, all living things depend on one another. Such as friends, family, and class- mates depend on each other. Making relationships very important. In relationships, we can show love and thanks by sharing. In a feast, the sharing of food is extremely important. As people get together to feast, usually everyone brings something to share with one another. Anishinaabe Feast Teachings Teachers Guide (Optional)