Traditional Healing and Wellness Bundle: Bringing Spirit
Posted on July 14, 2023
The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council’s Traditional Healing Advisory Committee (THAC) recenty gathered with a noble purpose: to assemble a traditional bundle and name that would aid and enhance their important work. This sacred collection of items holds deep significance, supporting ceremonial practices and promoting cultural practices within the Organization and with our Member Sites.
Listening to the words of our knowledge keepers, our youth, and language carriers, the importance of including ceremony into this process is paramount to ensuring we do things in a good way.
To include ceremony in the work that is being done, we must always remember those who have gone before us and those who are yet to come. When we hold and gather in ceremony, we invite our ancestors, and spiritual helpers to join us and guide us in the work we do. In ceremony, there are many spiritual aspects that need to be taken care of. When tobacco is offered, it is done with thought and clear purpose in what is being asked. When we invite our ancestors and Spiritual helpers. We must also ensure we close ceremony and send them home in a good way.
As the bundle was being built, a new energy was coming together. Some traditional knowledge keepers will tell us a bundle is like a baby. You care for the bundle as you would a baby. You honor the spirit within each item. Each item is now given a purpose in the work that is going to be done. Not too long ago, many of our traditional bundles had been destroyed or were forced to be hidden. Today, we carry a pride in our hearts when we see a bundle come out and each item is brought out to do its work.
After the gathering, all IPHCC staff who were present at the gathering sat together in a circle to share thoughts on how we can best honor the bundle until IPHCC can offer a dedicated space.
For two hours, we sat in circle, and let our hearts guide the discussion. A consensus was reached that the bundle needed to go to our youth. In our hearts we knew the bundle needed to be placed with someone who is a vital part of the work that is being done is to ensure these ways are carried on by our next generation.
Tobacco was offered and the question was asked “Will you carry the bundle?”
Our youth, Neebin Prince, accepted the tobacco with honor. We sat together again, and shared teachings of caring for a bundle, and answered all her questions that she had. Afterwards, as we left the lodge, we took notice of the beautiful sunset colors of pink, yellow, silver and blue skies.