The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund: Stories

Mother Earth Needs our Prayers June 8, 2006

Rosemary Gosselin, PWRDF Representative Diocese of Huron

Standing: Rev.Ben Burry, Ronat John, Katharine Archibald, Shirley John, Ron John, Roland Gosselin. Front:Rosemary Gosselin, Tashayna Nault, Tamary Reid

First Nation Elder and Healing Drum Circle Bring Water Teaching to St. George's Anglican Church in Clarksburg, Huron.

The congregation of St. George's Anglican Church, Clarksburg, Huron, embraced native spirituality on Sunday, April 30th, in response to Primate Andrew Hutchison's call for "a baptismal renewal of ourselves and our systems."

With Water: Sacred Gift, Sacred Trust the focus, the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) Sunday featured Shirley John, an Ojibway elder from Saugeen First Nation. Known as 'Strong White Buffalo Woman' Shirley has carried water teaching all over Ontario, to Newfoundland, and to Hawaii.

In her talk, Shirley, one of Mother Earth's Water Walkers, whose goal it is to walk around the Great Lakes to draw attention to the need for clean water, recalled walking last Spring from Wasaga Beach to Goderich. She and her husband, Ron carried a large, heavy pail of water. "Nature is all about balance: it was important to have my husband with me. Sometimes the pail felt light. I couldn't have done the walk if I didn't walk closely with my creator," said Shirley.

Shirley came brought a group called the Healing Drum Circle, from the M'Wikwedog Native Cultural and Resource Centre in Owen Sound, which include her daughter, Ronat John, Katherine Archibald, Tammy Reid and lead signer Tashayna Nault. Each shared aspects of their culture and rituals.

Taking us on a close walk with her daily spiritual practice, the native elder stressed the importance of honoring the spirits of our ancestors and nature, "Make sure you talk nicely to the spirits in the water, and never get mad when you're cooking," she laughed.

Holding up a small vial of water, she urged us to be resourceful: "One day this will be very, very expensive for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren."

Ronat John, 'Seven Star Dancing Woman,'noted "women carry the water teaching because they hold water in their bodies for babies." Others spoke of healing herbs and roots, and described ritual smudging with sage as "a way to cleanse away negativity and take care of each other and ourselves."

Tashayna translated the meaning of the opening and closing songs, sung four times to honour the directions. Spirit helpers such as Grandmother and Grandfather are evoked, as are sacred animals such as Bear, Eagle and Turtle.

Before renewing baptismal vows, the M'Wikwedong women led us in a powerful Ojibway water ritual to the four directions. Each person had brought a vial of water for the common bowl, which was blessed and sprinkled over all. The congregation affirmed that "We remember Water is a sacred gift and a collective responsibility. We do care. We will respond."Later, Rev. Ben Burry carried the consecrated water outside to pour into the Memorial Garden, in honour of the ancestors.

Following the service, everyone had a chance to mingle and chat with our guests at a potluck luncheon. Rev. Burry welcomed the many newcomers at the well-attended service, especially the Sunday School children from Grace United Church.