A Message from the National Turtle Lodge Elders’ and Knowledge Keepers’ Council A CALL FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Sunday, June 6, 2021 10 AM PST - 11 AM MST - 11 AM CST (Regina) - 12 PM CDT

A Message from the National Turtle Lodge Elders’ and Knowledge Keepers’ Council A CALL FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Sunday, June 6, 2021 10 AM PST - 11 AM MST - 11 AM CST (Regina) - 12 PM CDT (Winnipeg) – 1 PM EDT - 2 PM ADT - 2:30 PM NDT Elder Dr. David Courchene, Jr. (Anishinaabe Nation) Grandmother Jane Meader (Mi’kmaw Nation) Hereditary Chief Stephen Augustine (Mi’kmaw Nation) Elder Ed Sackaney (Cree Nation) Elder Harry Bone, LL.D., C.M. (Anishinaabe Nation) Elder Allan White (Anishinaabe Nation) Elder Gerald Courchene (Anishinaabe Nation) Grandmother Florence Paynter (Anishinaabe Nation) Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud (Dakota Nation) Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing (Anishinaabe Nation) Knowledge Keeper Robert Maytwayashing (Anishinaabe Nation) Elder A.J. Felix (Cree Nation) Grandmother Patricia Felix (Cree Nation) Elder Morris Little Wolf (Piikani Nation) Grandmother Betty Ann Little Wolf (Piikani Nation) Chief Darrell Bob (St’at’imc Nation) Elder Dr. Barney Williams (Tia-o-qui-aht Nation) Knowledge Keeper Stephen Kakfwi (Dene Nation) Knowledge Keeper Antaurko (Inka Nation) The National Turtle Lodge Council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers recently came together virtually, from across the Nations, in light of the tragic news coming out of British Columbia. We are calling for a National Day of Prayer this Sunday, June 6, to offer a collective prayer, and intentions, in the unique spiritual traditions that exist across the country, on behalf of the 215 Children found at the site of a residential school in Kamloops, BC, for all Children who have been hurt, the Survivors, their Families and Communities who continue to live with the impacts of the residential school system today. This effort is in response to many calls from the People, who have been turning to the Knowledge Keepers from across the country for direction and spiritual guidance, in light of the recent news. Speaking in unity as one voice, the Knowledge Keepers will be offering leadership by lifting the Sacred Pipes collectively, lighting the Sacred Fires, and praying together in one spirit, in our Original Languages that are used to make a connection to the Creator. Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, our actions always begin with the power of the Pipe. We will receive further instructions on how we can move forward in the spirit of unity, as we begin in this way. The Elders and Knowledge Keepers wish to acknowledge the little Children, who through the recent discovery of their graves, have opened a doorway for healing for all Peoples in this country – for all the Residential School Survivors, their Families and Communities, as well as for the Canadian and larger world community, through the uncovering of the dark truth that took place in recent years. It is their hope and prayer that this will allow for greater healing and a New Relationship to be formed, based on love and kindness. The Elders have emphasized that it is our Ancestral way of life, our Ceremonies, our Pipes, Drums and Rattles, our Sacred Lodges and the comfort offered by Mother Earth herself, that hold the key to healing and moving forward. These Children would have been our future leaders, our Knowledge Keepers, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, our teachers. To honour these children, we need to focus on our Children today who have been left behind, many of whom are lost and need to come home. We need to bring them back to our ceremonies and our way of life, to provide opportunities and support so they can find their identity and become the future leaders in our homeland. Anishinaabe Elder Allan White from Naotkamegwanning (Whitefish Bay) First Nation has called for a Special National Gathering of Elders and Knowledge Keepers at the Turtle Lodge in July, to hold a special ceremony to honour the children and to seek further spiritual guidance and direction to help guide us in moving forward as a country. The Elders and Knowledge Keepers work in the spirit of establishing a New Relationship, by creating a peaceful, non-confrontational non-political environment and approach, focusing on taking a moral and spiritual approach, based on the spirit of love, kindness, and unity. Further details about this ceremonial gathering will be shared once the Elders receive the guidance and direction to hold this gathering. Until the time comes when we can meet in our Sacred Lodges again, we ask that you join us this Sunday, June 6, as we lift our Pipes, light our Sacred Fires, sing our traditional Songs, smudge, offer our Sacred Tobacco, and offer prayers in our own traditions in a collective way. In the spirit of love, healing, truth and a New Way forward.

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Click here to for the English version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvjgmBoH_-U L'aîné Philip Paynter partage son expérience avec le vaccin COVID-19. Ceci est la sixième partie d'une série

Click here to for the English version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvjgmBoH_-U L'aîné Philip Paynter partage son expérience avec le vaccin COVID-19. Ceci est la sixième partie d'une série de messages des aînés et des gardiens du savoir de la Turtle Lodge sur le #COVID-19, les vaccins et la médecine traditionnelle. Cliquez ici pour voir la première partie, où l'aîné Anishinaabe Dr Dave Courchene partage une déclaration au nom du Conseil national des gardiens du savoir de la Turtle Lodge : https://youtu.be/Fqz-vA1S-0I Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 2, où la grand-mère Anishinaabe Mary Maytwayashing partage son expérience avec le COVID, les vaccins, et l'importance de la spiritualité : https://youtu.be/rix7fyz9OIQ Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 3, où le chef des aînés Anishinaabe, le Dr Harry Bone, explique comment il est possible d'équilibrer la médecine moderne et la médecine traditionnelle et nous encourage à envisager de recevoir le vaccin COVID-19 : https://youtu.be/gxJjOsRRQB8 Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 4, où la grand-mère Anishinaabe Florence Paynter explique pourquoi il était si important pour elle, en tant que gardienne du savoir et locutrice de la langue anishinaabe, de se faire vacciner contre le COVID-19 : https://youtu.be/HbgWfhh2F0k Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 5, où le gardien du savoir Anishinaabe Robert Maytwayashing parle de sa confiance et de sa foi en l'humanité et de sa position sur le vaccin COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8EB3S2zMMc

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Click here to for the English version: https://youtu.be/MbMU8-ar8RI Le gardien du savoir Anishinaabe Robert Maytwayashing, de la Première nation de Lake Manitoba, parle de sa confiance et de sa

Click here to for the English version: https://youtu.be/MbMU8-ar8RI Le gardien du savoir Anishinaabe Robert Maytwayashing, de la Première nation de Lake Manitoba, parle de sa confiance et de sa foi en l'humanité et de sa position sur le vaccin COVID-19. Le gardien du savoir Robert est membre du Conseil national des gardiens du savoir de Turtle Lodge. Ceci est la cinquième partie d'une série de messages des aînés et des gardiens du savoir de la Turtle Lodge sur le #COVID-19, les vaccins et la médecine traditionnelle. Cliquez ici pour voir la première partie, où l'aîné Dr Dave Courchene partage une déclaration au nom du Conseil national des gardiens du savoir de la Turtle Lodge : https://youtu.be/eTUZnhkKQpw Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 2, où la grand-mère Mary Maytwayashing partage son expérience avec le COVID, les vaccins, et l'importance de la spiritualité : https://youtu.be/Ms9s9WFzIpw Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 3, où le chef des aînés, le Dr Harry Bone, explique comment il est possible d'équilibrer la médecine moderne et la médecine traditionnelle et nous encourage à envisager de recevoir le vaccin COVID-19 : https://youtu.be/oILT03qCL4Q Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 4, où la grand-mère Florence Paynter explique pourquoi il était si important pour elle, en tant que gardienne du savoir et locutrice de la langue anishinaabe, de se faire vacciner contre le COVID-19 : https://youtu.be/9XEcDv_hmPI

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Anishinaabe Knowlede Keeper Robert Maytwayashing, from Lake Manitoba First Nation, talks about his trust and faith in humanity and his position on the COVID-19 vaccine. Knowledge Keeper Robert is a

Anishinaabe Knowlede Keeper Robert Maytwayashing, from Lake Manitoba First Nation, talks about his trust and faith in humanity and his position on the COVID-19 vaccine. Knowledge Keeper Robert is a member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers. Cliquez ici pour la version française: https://youtu.be/F8EB3S2zMMc This is Part 5 in a series of messages from the Turtle Lodge Elders and Knowledge Keepers on #COVID-19, vaccines and traditional medicine. Click here to see Part 1, where Elder Dr. Dave Courchene shares a statement on behalf of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers: https://youtu.be/eTUZnhkKQpw Click here to see Part 2, where Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing shares her experience with COVID, the vaccines, and the importance of spirituality: https://youtu.be/Ms9s9WFzIpw Click here to see Part 3, where Elder Chief Dr. Harry Bone explains how it’s possible to balance modern and traditional medicine and encourages us to consider taking the COVID-19 vaccine: https://youtu.be/oILT03qCL4Q Click here to see Part 4, where Grandmother Florence Paynter explains why it was so important for her as a Knowledge Keeper and Anishinaabe language speaker to get the COVID-19 vaccine: https://youtu.be/9XEcDv_hmPI

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Ininiwak Elder Philip Paynter shares about his experience receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, while encouraging others to take it as well. Cliquez ici pour la version française:

Ininiwak Elder Philip Paynter shares about his experience receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, while encouraging others to take it as well. Cliquez ici pour la version française: https://youtu.be/dq9oo5vH0R4 This is Part 6 in a series of messages from the Turtle Lodge Elders and Knowledge Keepers on #COVID-19, vaccines and traditional medicine. Click here to see Part 1, where Elder Dr. Dave Courchene shares a statement on behalf of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers: https://youtu.be/eTUZnhkKQpw Click here to see Part 2, where Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing shares her experience with COVID, the vaccines, and the importance of spirituality: https://youtu.be/Ms9s9WFzIpw Click here to see Part 3, where Elder Chief Dr. Harry Bone explains how it’s possible to balance modern and traditional medicine and encourages us to consider taking the COVID-19 vaccine: https://youtu.be/oILT03qCL4Q Click here to see Part 4, where Grandmother Florence Paynter explains why it was so important for her as a Knowledge Keeper and Anishinaabe language speaker to get the COVID-19 vaccine: https://youtu.be/9XEcDv_hmPI Click here to see Part 5, where Knowlede Keeper Robert Maytwayashing talks about his trust and faith in humanity and his position on the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbMU8-ar8RI

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Click here for the English Version: https://youtu.be/9XEcDv_hmPI Grand-mère Anishinaabe Florence Paynter, du «Sandy Bay First Nation» explique pourquoi il était si important pour elle, en tant

Click here for the English Version: https://youtu.be/9XEcDv_hmPI Grand-mère Anishinaabe Florence Paynter, du «Sandy Bay First Nation» explique pourquoi il était si important pour elle, en tant que gardienne du savoir et locutrice de la langue Anishinaabe, de recevoir le vaccin COVID-19.   Grand-mère Florence est membre du «National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers». Voici la quatrième partie d'une série de messages des aînés et des gardiens du savoir de la Turtle Lodge sur #COVID-19, les vaccins et la médecine traditionnelle. Cliquez ici pour voir la première partie, où l'aîné Dr Dave Courchene partage une déclaration au nom du Conseil national des gardiens du savoir de la Turtle Lodge :https://youtu.be/Fqz-vA1S-0I  Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 2, où la grand-mère Mary Maytwayashing partage son expérience avec le COVID, les vaccins, et l'importance de la spiritualité : https://youtu.be/rix7fyz9OIQ Cliquez ici pour voir la partie 3, où le chef des aînés, le Dr Harry Bone, explique comment il est possible d'équilibrer la médecine moderne et la médecine traditionnelle et nous encourage à envisager de recevoir le vaccin COVID-19 :  https://youtu.be/IJ1h6OcwmJw

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By Elders Oshoshko Bineshiikwe - Blue Thunderbird Woman, Osawa Aki Ikwe (Florence Paynter); Zoongi Gabowi Ozawa Kinew Ikwe - Strong Standing Golden Eagle Woman (Mary Maytwayashing); Nii Gaani Aki

By Elders Oshoshko Bineshiikwe - Blue Thunderbird Woman, Osawa Aki Ikwe (Florence Paynter); Zoongi Gabowi Ozawa Kinew Ikwe - Strong Standing Golden Eagle Woman (Mary Maytwayashing); Nii Gaani Aki Inini- Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene); Giizih-Inini- (Dr Harry Bone); Zhonga-giizhing - Strong Day (Wally Swain); Naawakomigowiinin (Dennis White Bird); Kamintowe Pemohtet- Spirit Walker (D'Arcy Linklater); Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater). At Turtle Lodge (Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba) on November 28 2015. The Great Binding Law was presented by Anishinabe, Nehetho (Cree) and Dakota Knowledge Keepers on November 28, 2015 from their place of strength, the Turtle Lodge, in response to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' request for them to offer guidance and leadership in response to the National Energy Board's request for input on possible pipelines entering their territory. Here is the video of part of their presentation (the sacred ceremonies which preceded this presentation were not recorded on film). Filmed by Symon Ptashnick

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Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter, from Sandy Bay First Nation, explains why it was so important for her as a Knowledge Keeper and Anishinaabe language speaker to get the COVID-19

Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter, from Sandy Bay First Nation, explains why it was so important for her as a Knowledge Keeper and Anishinaabe language speaker to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Grandmother Florence is a member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers. Cliquez ici pour la version française: https://youtu.be/HbgWfhh2F0k This is Part 4 in a series of messages from the Turtle Lodge Elders and Knowledge Keepers on #COVID-19, vaccines and traditional medicine. Click here to see Part 1, where Elder Dr. Dave Courchene shares a statement on behalf of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers: https://youtu.be/eTUZnhkKQpw Click here to see Part 2, where Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing shares her experience with COVID, the vaccines, and the importance of spirituality: https://youtu.be/Ms9s9WFzIpw Click here to see Part 3, where Elder Chief Dr. Harry Bone explains how it’s possible to balance modern and traditional medicine and encourages us to consider taking the COVID-19 vaccine: https://youtu.be/oILT03qCL4Q

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A crisis is unfolding off the West Coast of the United States. Whales, just like this one, are getting entangled in fishing gear as they swim along their migration routes. Once entangled, these

A crisis is unfolding off the West Coast of the United States. Whales, just like this one, are getting entangled in fishing gear as they swim along their migration routes. Once entangled, these whales can drag heavy traps and lines for weeks — if not months — before they fall victim to their wounds. As they struggle to swim, feed, and make it to the surface to breathe, the tough ropes cut deep into their flesh and bone, leading to life threatening infection and disease. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Join Oceana in protecting whales from deadly entanglements in the Dungeness crab fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.

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Africa’s giraffe population has plunged almost 40 percent in the past 30 years. Meanwhile, the United States' market for giraffe parts is accelerating their decline -- more than 21,400 bone

Africa’s giraffe population has plunged almost 40 percent in the past 30 years. Meanwhile, the United States' market for giraffe parts is accelerating their decline -- more than 21,400 bone carvings, 3,000 skin pieces and 3,700 hunting trophies were imported over the past decade. In 2018, we sued to win Endangered Species Act protection for giraffes. We're not going to stop fighting until giraffes are safe from extinction. Join us with a gift to our Endangered Species Act Protection Fund today: https://biodiv.us/2KZ0cPa

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