4D MODEL
INTRODUCTORY WISDOM FROM OUR MATRIARCHS
A Holistic Framework for Safe Wellness: Connecting the Essentials
“I hold dearly the beautiful Vision that is woven into the framework of our belief in spirit at the Centre of all life. The belief that we are all related, connected in a quest, a desire for wholeness. A wholeness embodied within a way of seeing, relating, knowing and behaving that embodies a vision of wellness and a belief in healing.
The First Fire of the Anishinaabe Seven Fires Prophecies tells us about a time when the Anishinaabe people were in great danger. This prophecy told the people to find strength in the teachings and traditions and compelled them to rise and move from the Eastern ocean shores of Turtle Island, and turn inland for safety and security. What a powerful, spirit directed journey our ancestors embarked on!
When I reflect on these prophecies, I am so grateful for the insights and instructions that remain there for us now. There are important teachings for today, for the challenges before us. The remembering of this ‘call to action’ from long ago—asked our ancestors to move away from their homeland and travel great distances into unknown territory.
We are now called to action again, to turn inward to our own personal landscape, our own lodges, our teachings and medicines. It is essential for us to take up this course of action on behalf of ourselves and all our relations in the Four Directions (.pdf). We need to take care of each other by continuing to follow the recommendations; stay home, practice appropriate physical distancing, and be vigilant around disinfecting and general hygiene.
We know our ancestors were thinking of the Seven Generations to come when they made that great challenging journey. We are the generations that they were thinking of, as they persevered, carried their bundles and cared for one another. They lived out their lives with creation, careful to take up their place, taking only what they needed, practicing reciprocity.
We are practicing reciprocity, guided by the beautiful gifts of kind honest sharing and respect when we take up this call to action. These are the values and beliefs in the sacredness of life, inherent in our blood memory. Now, like then, we need to move away from the comfort of the known and familiar. Like our Ancestors, we rise to the challenges, striving to protect life for ourselves and for those yet to come, as was done for us.”
KAHONTAKWAS DIANE LONGBOAT
Skennen-Peace
Kasehstenhsera-Power
Kanikonhri:yo-Good Mind
“It is in the most challenging times of life that we find our true values and self-reflect on our true character. We are now witness to the fulfilment of prophecy foretold by ancient ones of our Nations. Change has come to humanity on a global scale. And yet, Turtle Island is the place where peace lives. As Onkwehonwe people, our spiritual leaders teach us that we are spiritually protected in our homelands. We find ourselves living in the times of the fulfillment of our prophecies and we see the evidence daily. As these difficult days pass, we will thrive again. We are fortunate enough to be witness to the changes coming to humanity all over the world.
While the teachings of our Nations across Turtle Island foretold of this illness, they also gave instructions to strengthen us. The Seers and the gifted ones warned us in 2012 that a great sickness would come that would affect the lungs of the people. Medicines were spoken of to prepare the body and ceremonies offered to ensure that respected the interconnectedness of our spirits to all elements of well-being. We were reminded to take care of our emotional (heart) and mental (mind) well-being. It was prophesied that we would come under great stress during this great sickness.
The time is now for all Onkwehonwe people across our homelands to share the medicines of our Traditional Healers for physical strength, to keep a focused daily spiritual discipline for the well-being of the mind and our emotions, and to maintain faith in the Creator holding infinite power.
Spiritual leaders, Chiefs, Clan Mothers and Faith Keepers are at the forefront at this time to guide the people when many are experiencing fear, loss, death and dying, and they help us through the immense change that is causing much global disruption in families and communities.
Ceremonies from across our Nations have been offered throughout April and March 2020 and many will continue to be shared virtually—in ways where safety; physical distancing, self-isolation or quarantining is required. This continues to be done to renew medicine societies and to virtually gather whole communities to pray together at specific times. Sacred Fires have been lit throughout our homelands, healing dances and healing songs have been sent with prayers throughout Turtle Island.
The wisdom and the directions from Traditional Healers, Medicine Society Leaders, Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Oral Historians are clear: return to the land in safe, central-family, physically distant and individual-centered ways, take care of our Elders, youth, children and babies, those at greater risk, gather the medicines, and keep the ceremonies going daily”.
“Believe in the infinite power of the Creator! Be strong and make our Ancestors proud! “