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Next week, the Awen Gathering Circle will be lit with the colours of the arctic sky as part of the Winter Solstice gathering and ceremony led by The Blue Mountains resident Muckpaloo Ipeelie, who is Inuk.
On Dec. 21 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. all are welcome to attend and participate in the change of seasons ceremony, hosted by the Collingwood Indigenous Circle and the Town of Collingwood.
As part of the event, Ipeelie will share Inuit cultural teachings and throat singing. Colourful lights, inspired by Aurora Borealis will shine on the Awen Gathering Circle structure.
Opichi Commanda, an Anishinaabe fire keeper, and a regular participant in the Collingwood change of seasons events, will be speaking about the practice of keeping a sacred fire, and the role it plays in the gathering, in wellness, and in healing.
Warm cider will be served, and those attending are encouraged to wear an Indigenous-made clothing or accessory item to be entered into a raffle.
Ipeelie is one of the founders of the Collingwood Indigenous Circle and has been part of the change of seasons event organizing team since the first one in March, 2022.
Her goal, and the goal shared by the circle, was to offer an opportunity for Indigenous people living in and near Collingwood to come together for a gathering and build relationships. It also expanded to include non-Indigenous people.
“We have been yearning for this connection for a long time,” said Ipeelie as she introduced the first ceremony on March 20, 2022. “Today is also a celebration that we have found each other here in Collingwood.”
Since then, the ceremonies have continued four times a year, at the change of each season. Each one has featured Indigenous culture and teaching, and has been open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous attendees.
Jennifer McFarlane, who has also helped facilitate the change of seasons gatherings, will be sharing at the Dec. 21 event this year as well.
Attendees are encouraged to participate in the practice of reciprocity. Traditional gifts of gratitude, offered to an elder or teacher to thank them for their lesson, include items such as tobacco, sage, cedar, or sweetgrass. Tea and coffee are also often given as gifts.
There is no cost to participate, and all are welcome. Visit www.collingwood.ca/seasons or www.
