Elders of all nations are calling for a traditional ceremony. In the old, traditional, and spiritual ways of this ceremony, the people are not provided honorariums, only a chance to give back to what is given.

Dagwaagin (it is autumn/fall), and giiwaydin (the winter spirit) will soon be here.
We heal the Earth (manidoo aki), dancing upon her with soft moccasins.
Those gitigaanan (gardens/farms) are to be put to rest.
We put makwa (bear) to sleep.
In the way of The People, we dance on her.

We welcome the grass dancers, the jingle dress dancers, the traditional dancers, the butterfly dancers, and the garden keepers.

Bring your bear rugs, your sacred items, rattles, drums, and next year’s seeds. American Indian Family Center’s Imnizaska will be the big drum.

Nations have always provided a Thank you Manidoo Aki ceremony for what we have harvested from Mother Earth. Nations are spiritual people as seen in our language of recognizing that we are all related. Everything on Earth is dependent on each other.

Let’s dance and sing to thank our Mother for what she has provided. Makwa is put to sleep at this time of the year. Bear healings come out in the spring, offering new life, in many ways, of healing to our people.

“Bakakinnanishkwande” You are all welcome in our Healing Circle facilitated by the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis’ Indigenous Spiritual Leader, D. Richard Wright/ Wii-Sug Indigo of Zagaswajimekaag (Leech Lake Reservation). Makwa doodem a’aw Wii-Sug Indigo.

When and where: Wednesday, September 21, 2022, from 4:00 PM to dusk at the Indian Mounds Burial Site, a sacred burial place of a thousand years (10 Mounds Blvd, Saint Paul, Minnesota).

*Please bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on. Women are encouraged to wear skirts. Food will be provided.