www.ignitingfire.org

2006 I g n i t i n g the F i r e

4 days of Drums, Ceremony, Teachings & Song

"What has taken place in one of our most sacred

sites known as Manitou Api * ( Bannock Point, Whiteshell Provincial Park Manitoba Canada )

has been nothing less than historical.

Not only have we initiated the gathering, but now we will also write our own history as it happened,

from our perspective. We will not rely on anyone else but ourselves to begin the writing of our own history.

The event that has occurred here upon this sacred site has deep significance & ramifications for the future.

The strong presence of the elders ensured a special gathering.

Through their knowledge, wisdom & leadership, the gathering became a true spiritual experience.

It was spiritual in the sense that the environment they created through

ceremony & song was truly loving and peaceful.

The protocol of Elder influence was reflected in the gathering, as it had been in the old days.

As the Elders led the gathering, we felt at ease, knowing & feeling that things would run the way they were

meant to be. To the Elders, the beginning of the day was always most important

& that was giving thanks & gratitude to the Great Spirit & the Grandfathers.

In the evening when the drums from the Four Directions sounded,

you instinctively knew, the sounds would carry the collective voice of the people.

The voice of the people wanted life; they wanted peace.

The way of the drum has always been to carry the wishes & the dreams of the people.

That evening, whoever was present knew that at that time, in this special sacred place, this Centre,

these drums would be a part of an awakening that was happening around the world.

What made it even more spectacular & eventful was that it was fulfilling prophecy:

The Red Man would initiate this movement; it would be the light from the East, a new beginning.

What was real & evident was the Four Directions were present to celebrate life in a most sacred place,

Manitou Api*, the "Place Where the Creator Sat". Many had wondered why the temperature dropped so quickly

& the wind became so strong.

The elders knew. It was the arrival of the ancestors;

they came in with the wind. The cold was only there to show and make us feel their presence.

It was very difficult to contain oneself, when the drums were sounding & the people dancing. "

*Manitou Api refers to a central sacred site of North America, part of which is located in the petroform site of

Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park,

where First Nations traditionally gathered to share teachings and wisdom.

Manitou Api means "where the Creator sits". The name Manitoba was derived from Manitou Api.

Geographically, Manitou Api is located in the centre of North America.

There are a number of petroforms at this special site, including one in the shape of the turtle.

The turtle also represents Turtle Island, which is another name for North America.

According to First Nations teachings, the Turtle represents the teaching of Truth.