On November 1 on the east side of Cedar Lake, 30 local Native people and friends gathered to celebrate the change of seasons with a traditional ceremony of putting bear hides to sleep for the winter on a beautiful autumn afternoon. Richard “Crow” Wright, a Leech Lake Ojibwe tribal elder and Minneapolis Indian Health Board Addiction counselor, led the ceremony alongside Maria McCoy, a Turtle Mountain Ojibwe tribal elder.
According to the American Indian Family Center, “Dagwaagin (it is autumn/fall) and gilwaydin (the winter spirit) will soon be here. 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 Aki (Mother Earth).”
Wright gave thanks to Mother Earth for the harvest, explaining that in Native philosophy, everything on Earth is related and interdependent. As part of this ceremony, participants danced, drummed, and sang for Mother Earth. Participants also reflected on the suffering of others, including those affected by addictions that keep them from living life fully.
Wright discussed the ongoing healing of the Cedar Lake woods and his planting of cedar trees and juneberries to restore local ecology. Special thanks to Keith Prussing, with the Cedar Lake Park Association, who coordinated this meaningful gathering.
