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MI'KMAW CULTURE |
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THE ORIGIN OF THE SWEAT LODGE
I would like to share his words: "I am researching on title claim for Mi'kmaq, and it is important we reclaim specific locations that have a long standing cultural, traditional and spiritual value to us, so it is important to share the stories because many of the stories are reinforced and validated with actual historical and archaeological evidence." The following is the legend as he heard it: It is very important to note that the place where the petroglyph is located in Bedford Basin is called Kepe'k, which in Mi'kmaq means "the place where the water narrows." Halifax Peninsula, where Point Pleasant Park is located, was known to the Mi'kmaq as Amntu'kati, which is "a spirit place" or "the place of spirits," and Amntu'apsi’kan is "the Spirit Lodge." If you follow the Halifax Peninsula around it comes to a small cove that is protected from the rough seas, it is Wejkwe'tukwaqn which means "to come to a legend," or "where the legend comes from." It is the place where our legendary warrior Amntu' (which means "the spirit") resides at his Lodge and guards the Eastern Door to protect the Lnu'k (the people) from any dangers that come from the open sea.
The hill that over looks the Bedford Basin where the petroglyph is found
is called Wejkwapeniaq, which means "the coming of the Dawn." While Wa'so'qlji'j was
sitting on the hill of Wejkwapeniaq admiring the rising sun and the
coming of the dawn to start a new day, the great spirit Niskam came down
from Wa'so'q to speak to him, and reminded him that the Lnu'k of
Mi'kma'kik are the keepers of the Eastern Door, and must always remember
that we came from the grandmother earth. When our time is done our
bodies must go back to the mother, but our spirits will rise and sit
with our ancestors, all our relations - ms So Wa'so'qlji'j asked Glooscap to gather all the leaders of the seven districts of Mi'kma'ki to come. The great Chiefs of all seven districts came to Wejkwapeniaq, where Wa'so'qlji'j and his brother Amntu' gave them the teachings of the Amntu'apsi’kan - the spirit lodge. They told them this is the womb of our grandmother earth, and you shall come and sit in council to cleanse yourself and honour the ancestors who have gone before you and be humble and the spirits will come and give you guidance so you may lead your people in the righteous way. You shall pray to each of the four directions, and for each direction there are seven Nu'kuntew - grandfather stones made of lava rock, the oldest of all stones - to represent each of the seven districts, for a total of 28 Nu'kuntew. So the great chiefs crawled into the womb,
along with their leader, the Grand Chief of all seven districts. The
Grand Chief did as he was instructed and poured the water on the
grandfathers, and they cleansed themselves so their minds could be empty
of all things that are bad and harmful. Then the ones that are gone
before them came to them and gave them the teachings and instructions of
our ancestors, all our relations. Ms As instructed, the district chiefs took these teachings back to their districts, and then sent four of their most spiritual elders to go in all four directions to pass the teaching on to others. This is why you see the eight X marks in the petroglyph: they represent the seven district chiefs and the Grand Chief who is the greatest Chief of them all. And the lodge door is always an Eastern Door, to honour Wejkwapeniaq - the coming of the dawn!
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