A few weeks ago, George and I were discussing the work we are doing at Culturally Committed, and he shared with me:
"When I think about planning our direction with our CC family, I often think about our Nation's canoe races. For canoe pullers, training season starts long before they sit in their canoes. They train their bodies and minds to be ready. They meet on the beach, and strategize. They take note of who shows up to training every day and who is not making it a priority. Strategy happens on the beach, with clear communication so the paddling team knows exactly what the plan is. That way, when they hit the water, they are ready. Their paddles are in unison. They have prepared, and are strong and centered for the journey. Each person has a responsibility to the whole to bring their best when they are on the water. This isn't the time to practice."
His words about teamwork and preparation reminded me of our own journey at Culturally Committed, especially as we gathered this weekend for our 2nd annual Uplifting Our Mentors event. Our time together offered a blend of strategic planning and socialization, woven through with cultural experiences.
I want to raise my hands to Mentor Dan Elliott of Stz'uminus for opening and closing our circle in a good way. During our opening, Dan prepared 13 boughs to brush each of us off with - a mixture of cedar, balsam, and spruce. These 13 boughs are symbolic of the 13 moons that comprise the traditional lunar calendar followed by Indigenous peoples, representing the passage of time and cycles of renewal. Dan’s intention was to remove any negativity we were carrying so that we could approach our work with purified hearts and minds. I was struck by the scent released from the boughs during the brushing; the air in the room was perfumed with the fresh scent of the branches. It occurred to me that not only was the good medicine in the boughs brushing negativity off our bodies, but the molecules were also infiltrating our noses, lungs, and breath. It was flowing in our bloodstreams. I felt the positivity of that energy pumping through my veins.
The following morning, our crew met just before sunrise at Transfer Beach, in Stz'uminus Territory. Here, Thomas George Jr. of Halalt led us through the process of spirit bathing, a traditional practice that facilitates healing and strengthens the body, mind, and spirit. While cold water plunges have recently gained popularity in the Western world, the First People have known about the power held in this practice for generations. Spirit bathing helps cleanse the individual on multiple levels, encouraging renewal and balance. Before heading out into the water, Thomas provided each of us with a handful of traditional medicine and instructed us to release it into the water at the end of our final dip. By doing so, we were releasing anything we needed to let go of and cleansing our hearts and spirits.
The water felt cold as I took my first steps in, but seeing my friends moving forward in my periphery gave me the strength to keep moving. After a few minutes, I noticed how the discomfort of the cold had melted away, and I was able to turn my thoughts to my breath and prayers, practicing the ritual that Thomas had shared with us. Following the bath, I felt renewed and energized, and expressed my gratitude to Thomas for sharing his teachings with us.
A few hours later, we all gathered around my kitchen table with our friend, Hwiemtun Fred Roland from Quw'utsun. Hwiemtun mesmerized us as he walked us through the challenging practice of splitting cedar strips and weaving beautiful baskets, while simultaneously braiding in stories and teachings: memories of George's late grandmother, his experiences teaching students in other parts of the world, and tales about the adventures he experienced during Tribal Journeys. The room was at first noisy with laughter and talking, then quieted down to focused silence as we each concentrated on the process of weaving. In the end, most of us walked away with a beautiful basket (Dan's deconstructed into more of a mat, we all had a good laugh at that!), and we wound down our day plotting our course for the future.
This weekend’s activities, from the spirit bathing to the basket weaving, demonstrated the strength of our community and the intentionality we bring to our work. To me, it feels like Culturally Committed is growing through its teenage years. When I first had the idea for this space, it was definitely driven by my experiences as a healthcare provider. However, as we have evolved, it's become clear that the work we are doing is relevant to a much broader audience. As we look to the future, we are moving to make our space more inclusive and want folks to know that if they are looking for a place to build sincere relationships, feel safe in their unknowing, and learn about cultural safety and reconciliation, we are here for them.
Thank you to the Mentors, both local and those who traveled, for dedicating so much time and energy to connecting this weekend. Your contributions are valued, and your friendships are cherished. To our Mentors who couldn't be here, we missed you dearly and hope you can attend the next gathering.
Comments