CEREMONY GROUNDS Seasonal Ceremonies ( Spring - Summer - Fall - Winter)

Welcome to the Lil ' Peguis Ceremony Grounds

This is a place of healing, cleansing and thanksgiving for Anishinabe man and woman.  You are welcome to camp on the grounds, being aware not to disturb traditional grave sites, the buffalo wallow by the gate, and not to camp in the low spots, in case of rain.  We do not provide babysitting service, cleaning crews or food.  Everyone is expected to fully share the experience in an enjoyable way, taking personal responsibility for one's health, safety and cleanliness.

Our ceremonial preparations usually start before camp day.  Building the lodges are done by both men and women.  The poles of the Teaching Lodge are cut, trimmed, and placed in the ground, and bent by the men.  The women then tie the poles together to create the frame of the Teaching Lodge.  (This is the same format for Sweat Lodges also.

(This is already been done for these spring ceremonies).

Camp day is set aside for you to set up your camp, ensuring you have everything you need for the four days that follow.  The building repairing and covering of the lodges need to be completed on this day.  The waterdrum carriers must cleanse themselves in the turtle sweat lodge before sundown on camp day.  The Midewegon or Teaching Lodge needs to be covered and the sacred fire lit.  The men gather and deliver the wood (usually by the truckload) and the rocks needed for the sweat lodge ceremonies.  The women clean the Teaching Lodge, and the surrounding grounds.  Building and maintaining the sacred fire is the responsibility of the men, although it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that is kept clean and that no foreign objects such as paper or cigarette butts are put into it.   This is the same teaching for all fires.

Bringing water to the Lodge for each ceremony is the responsibility of the women.  Once the sacred fire is lit, the Little Boy Waterdrum (and guests Waterdrums ) are made ready.  When all the physical preparations are completed, we gather in the Teaching lodge for a welcoming feast a preparatory remarks from the drum carriers.  Each day usually has a Sunrise or Morning Ceremony, Mid-day Feast and Ceremony, and Sweatlodge Ceremonies, Memorial Feasts or Sharing Circles in the evenings.  This can be subject to change depending on need expressed by the participants.

While at the ceremony grounds, participants need to be dress appropriately.  Long skirts or dresses for the women, and ribbon shirts for the men.   It is recommended that rain gear  be packed for spring, summer and fall ceremonies.  We should show the Creator, ourselves, and each other, how thankful we are for the great clothing we receive.

For the sweatlodge ceremony, women wear a flannel nightgown covered by a blanket (which you'll probably want to sit on in the sweat) and the men wear shorts and or towel and blanket.  These cloth articles that you wear or carry into the lodge should be washed separately from your other laundry.

Please don't bring anything metal into the sweatlodge !  All jewellery , such as watches and earrings as well as glasses and other personal articles need to be left at your camp, or in a secure place in your vehicles.  Jewellery and metal zippers, clasps and grommets on you or your clothing can cause burns and this would seriously disrupt your participation in the ceremony.  Don't wear make-up or perfumes, as the odor from these can be very hard for the other participants once the ceremony is in progress.  Security for personal belongings is your responsibility.  We will not be responsible for any losses or injury that may occur.

Because of the enormous power of the women, we ask them not to come to the ceremonies in the time from four days preceding their moon time until four days after.  Women starting their moon time during the ceremonies are requested to go to the moonlodge provided for them.

Offerings of tobacco or cigarettes are accepted at these ceremonies. They will be shared by all in attendance.  All participants are expected to provide their own food for the time at ceremonies, and to provide food for the lodge feasts.  Feast food cannot be tasted beforehand, and cannot contain pork or pork products.  (See the women at the lodge for suggestions for feast food so that there is not an abundance of one or two items)

Please bring your own plate, bowl, cup and cutlery to the lodge for each feast.  Men will carry the food into the lodge, and serve everyone, but it is the responsibility of the women to prepare the food, and to clean the lodge after each feast and ceremony.

Persons wishing healing should approach one of the helpers if possible four days before the ceremony to find out what will be needed.

Please don't bring cameras, tape recorders or notebooks.  This experience is to record in your heart, mind and spirit only.

We will expect all participants to stay the full four days of ceremony, as your help and participation is needed up to; and including the final dance.- out on the last day.

We look forward to sharing with you the cleansing, healing and renewed commitment to life from the Midewegon , the Sweatlodge , and the song-teachings of the Little Boy Waterdrum .

Let us form a strong circle of faith in our ceremonies and in our lives.

From the Little Boy Waterdrum at Lil '  Peguis and to all who answer to the sound of his voice.

Meegwetch!

How to get there:

From Colville Road (highway 212) in East Selkirk turn North at the Bronze Boot Village Tavern onto St. Peter's Road (Highway 508).   Approximately 10 miles or 16 kilometers North of the Tavern, St. Peters Road turns east toward Highway 59.  Do Not Turn East!

Instead, proceed North on the gravel road for approximately 6 miles or 10 kilometers.  The Lil ' Peguis ceremony grounds are 1/2 miles, or almost one kilometer past the sharp corner at the marsh gate.  The entrance to the grounds is marked.  Turn North into the driveway among the trees and proceed carefully.