Did you know that the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre has a gift shop? …did you also know that a lot of their inventory comes from Indigenous businesses?
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If you stop by we have a lot of Indigenous-made and designed items for sale inside! Some of the items are from local makers in the community such as the moccasins from Snowear Bound or the earrings and bracelets from Prairie Joy Designs.
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Stop on in and you might find something you absolutely love.
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•WALK WITH RESILIENCE•
The tipi at the Brandon Correctional Centre discusses resiliency and Indigenous Veterans. You can find this tipi at 375 Veterans Way in front of the centre. Every tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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Resilience teaches us to bounce back from hard times. One who is resilient can manage challenges in a positive way. Being resilient is like grass. When we step on grass, it folds over but it can stand up again. Even when grass is cut, it keeps on growing. We are strong like grass.
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We are able to be most resilient when we nurture the 4, foundations of self:
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Physical Awareness
Mental Awareness
Emotional Awareness
Spiritual Awareness
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We acknowledge the land on which we stand is Treaty 2 territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinoabea, Cree, Oj-Cree, Assiniboine. Dakota and Dene Peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. We pay respect to the Elders, recognize the uniqueness and contributions of each Nation and acknowledge that we are moving forward together on a path towards reconciliation.
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•WALK WITH RESILIENCE•
The tipi at the Brandon Correctional Centre discusses resiliency and Indigenous Veterans. You can find this tipi at 375 Veterans Way in front of the centre. Every tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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Resilience teaches us to bounce back from hard times. One who is resilient can manage challenges in a positive way. Being resilient is like grass. When we step on grass, it folds over but it can stand up again. Even when grass is cut, it keeps on growing. We are strong like grass.
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We are able to be most resilient when we nurture the 4, foundations of self:
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Physical Awareness
Mental Awareness
Emotional Awareness
Spiritual Awareness
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We acknowledge the land on which we stand is Treaty 2 territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinoabea, Cree, Oj-Cree, Assiniboine. Dakota and Dene Peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. We pay respect to the Elders, recognize the uniqueness and contributions of each Nation and acknowledge that we are moving forward together on a path towards reconciliation.
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#indigenoustourismmb #Indigenoustourism #Indigenousculture #Indigenousexperience #exploreindigenoustourism #indigenoustourismcanada #Manitoba #discovermanitoba #travelmanitoba #exploremanitoba #Manitobatourism
•4 SACRED ELEMENTS•
The tipi at the Riverbank Discovery Centre discusses the 4 Sacred Elements. You can find this tipi at 545 Conservation Drive near the North West area of the building by the River. Every tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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All four of the Sacred Elements are used by every living thing, four legged, two legged, ones that fly, crawl, live in the water and grow on Mother Earth. Indigenous people use the 4 Sacred Elements Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically and Mentally every day and in all ceremonies.
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FIRE- (Peta)
We need fire to cook food, heat the water, and heat the homes. Fire is in the sky with the sun, stars, Moon and the Milky way.
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Water - (Mni Wiconi) - The Moon plays a big role by controlling the tides (High and Low) on Earth. The water creates the landscapes and the valleys. The landscapes are changed by plowing down forests, bushes, marshes and shrubs that help to clean the water. Without these we risk flash floods and polluted water.
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Air - (Tate),
The wind helps the trees and plants grow by carrying the seeds for pollination and also helps the birds, butterflies and insects to fly. The air moves clouds and storms that may produce tornados, heavy winds or hurricanes. The winds comes from the 4 directions to help all living
things, it brings the 4 seasons Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. The fire needs air to burn and water needs air to help the
living things in the water to breathe.
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Mother Earth - (Ina Makan) The Earth needs fire, water and air to give life. Earth provides all human beings and all life on Earth food, medicines, homes, clothing, and fuel for fire, all the things we need to survive. Mother Earth is so precious and very Sacred to us. We human beings need to take care of her and treat her with Respect.
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•RELATIONSHIPS GRANDPARENTS & YOUTH•
The tipi at Crocus Plains Secondary School discusses Youths, Elders and their relationships. You can find this tipi at 1930 1st St. Every tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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The relationship between our Grandparents and Youth continues a system of knowledge: Language, Cultural Practices, Indigenous Governance and Ceremony. Our Grandparents' knowledge and guidance serves as a teacher, healer, advisor and counsellors for our youth.
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The teachings from grandparents are like seeds, those who receive them can choose whether to nurture them.
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Grandparents and Youth play an important role in each other's lives.
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Role of the Grandmother/Grandfather: To teach our youth how to grow, love, respect, and live in a good and sacred way.
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Role of the Youth: To listen and respect our Grandparents. To look after our Grandparents when they are old just like they did for us. Also, keep the positive traditional cycle going for future generations.
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•MEDICINE WHEEL TEACHINGS•
The Tipi at the Brandon Friendship Centre discusses the Medicine Wheel & the teachings it provides. You can find this tipi at 205 College Ave. Each tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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The Medicine Wheel is an ancient symbol that reflects values, worldviews, and practices of Indigenous people, and it represents the wholeness of creation. The Medicine Wheel represents equality and harmony, and used for the purpose of achieving balance, connection and holism. Holism considers the whole - all four aspects of the Medicine Wheel - not just the components. The vision of being healthy is attained by addressing all aspects of the self and issues that influence health and well-being.
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All aspects of the person are connected, and interplay with each other, and there is an interconnected relationship among the aspects of the wheel. One must understand how each aspect connects with the others to attain balance and harmony. The Wheel is a symbol of ourselves and the four areas that we try to take care of for our health and well-being. We can use the Medicine Wheel for our own healing or to assist others on their healing journey. It is important to remember, however, that what works for one individual may not work for someone else.
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The Medicine Wheel is a framework for providing direction and meaning to the individual on the journey towards self healing and personal growth. The Medicine Wheel can be used as a model for harmony and holistic healing. We can heal our body, mind, spirit and emotions through talking, laughing, yelling, yawning, shaking, and sweating. These ways of healing are considered by the Indigenous people as natural processes to achieving good health and a good life.
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•MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS•
The tipi at Stanley park discusses Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. You can find this tipi at 1410 Princess Ave. Each tipi in the city has a plaque. This one reads:
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Since the 1980's, the number of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people is estimated to be well over 2,000.
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In 2001, a father and his young daughter were out hunting moose near the Highway of Tears in British Colombia where many women have experienced violence or disappeared. That is when they started the Moose Hide Campaign a grassroots movement of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children.
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In 2005 the Native Women's Association of Canada launched Sisters in Spirit, a national campaign to raise awareness around the increasing numbers of MMIWG. Yearly Sisters in Spirit marches, vigils and community committees have formed to look at the issues facing Indigenous Women Women & Girls at risk of violence from an intimate partner or a stranger.
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Many Cultural Ceremonies have started over the years to celebrate the lives of the
MMIWG. Women’s drum circles have formed to help with healing and are a big part of the SIS events each year. Honour songs are sung by Traditional male drummers. October 4 of each year is the day set aside to honor the lives of all the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls in our country.
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In 2013 WWOS a commemorative art installation of over 1,800 pairs of moccasin vamps (tops) was created and the vamps were donated by hundreds of caring and concerned individuals to draw attention to the Missing and Murdered Women, Girls and Two Spirited people across Canada. In 2014 three hundred vamps dedicated to the children that did not come home from Residential School were added to the installation.
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•LANGUAGE•
This tipi is located in front of Green Acres School and Brandon School Division office. It discusses Language. You can find this tipi in front of the building at 1031 6th street. Each tipi one our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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Indigenous Languages help us connect all people to Mother Earth. Who we are and what our languages mean to us, is within. My heart and my soul have always missed my language.
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•HEALTHCARE•
This tipi is located outside of the Prairie Mountain Health centre and it discusses the four Sacred Medicines: Sage, Cedar, Tobacco and Sweetgrass, modern medicine and their intersections. You can find it on the North entrance to the building near 504 Russel St. Each tipi in the city has a plaque. This one reads:
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Booshoo, Tánsi, Ho, Han, Taanshi
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This site is located on the original lands and traditional territories of the Cree, Dakota, Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Metis. We honor the Treaties and the historical and present relationships to the land held by the Dakota and citizens of the Metis Nation. Indigenous people that utilize the health services from this location come from the Cree, Dakota, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Metis, Dene and Inuit nations.
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When it comes to health - the past often has something to say about the present.
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Indigenous populations of this area are diverse, yet as a group they experience poorer health status and health outcomes. Colonization impacts include diseases, assimilation policies, loss of lands, relocation, family separations, banning of traditional healing ways and ceremonies, discrimination and systemic racism. Intergenerational trauma of past harm is still felt today, and contributes to challenges and gaps in health. Despite this, Indigenous people are strong and resilient with a firm belief of Spirituality and that everything is inter-connected to the natural elements of Mother Earth. Cultural knowledge and beliefs help safeguard ancestral connections to languages, songs, teachings, ceremonies and traditional healing that still occurs today.
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•WALKING WITH OUR SISTERS•
This tipi is found on BU campus grounds on the eastern side of the Knowles-Douglas Building, alongside 18th St. Each tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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Walking with our sisters is a commemorative art installation of over 1800 pairs of moccasin vamps (tops) created and donated by hundreds of caring and concerned individuals to draw attention to the Murdered and Missing Women and two-spirited people across Canada.
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Over 1200 Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada have been reported missing in the last 20 years. Many vanished without a trace.
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Moccasin vamps are the top part of the moccasin that often contain adornment of some type, whether beads, quills, embroidery or other materials. Whether fully beaded or partially, different nations have developed their own variations on the size, style, shape and choice of imagery on the vamps. The vamps (“Uppers”) are intentionally not sewn into moccasins to represent the unfinished lives of the women and children, whose lives were cut short
when they were taken from us. Collectively together the vamps represent all these women and girls; paying respect to their lives and existence
on this earth. They are not forgotten. They are ‘sisters, mothers, aunties, daughters, cousins, grandmothers, nieces, granddaughters,
wives and partners.
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There are 300 vamps dedicated to the children that did not come home from Residential School, that were added in Sault Saint Marie in 2014.
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Please check out our previous posts to find out the meaning behind these beautiful “forever tipis” you see around our city.
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#indigenoustourismmb #Indigenoustourism #Indigenousculture #Indigenousexperience #exploreindigenoustourism #indigenoustourismcanada #Manitoba #discovermanitoba #travelmanitoba #exploremanitoba #Manitobatourism #brandonbringsyouback #brandontourism
•ASSINIBOINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE•
Another day, another local tipi highlight. Today we have Assiniboine Community College: East Campus located at 1430 Victoria Ave E here in Brandon. Each tipi has a plaque. This one reads:
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Assiniboine Community Colleges are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and Treaty No. 2, the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge their welcome to the students who seek knowledge here.
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ACC is a proud signatory of the Indigenous Education Protocol for Colleges and Institutes of Canada. As a Signatory, we agree to the seven principles shared on the plaques inside this memorial tipi.
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Please check out our previous post to find out the meaning behind these beautiful “forever tipis” you see around our city.
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ACC Indigenous
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•TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION•
This tipi is located at Knox United Church and is about Truth and Reconciliation. You can find it at 451 18th St. along the front of the building. Each tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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The TR says reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in this country. In order for that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, acknowledgment of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes and action to change behaviour.
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We cannot perpetuate the paternalistic concept that only Indigenous peoples are in need of healing. The perpetrators are wounded and marked by history in ways that are different from victims, but both groups require healing.
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How can a conversation about reconciliation take place if all involved do not adopt an attitude of humility and respect?
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We all have a story to tell and in order to grow in
tolerance and understanding we must listen to the stories of others.
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“Reconciliation is about forging and maintaining respectful relationships. There are no shortcuts.” -Justice Murrav Sinclair
It is easy to recognize the message of grace and dignity of First Nations Women represented in the Woman’s Traditional style of dance, honouring themselves and the Women of the past. To watch this dance, one at first recognizes its simplicity. It is in the precision and grace of every movement made that you are able to sense the meaning of the dance. Woman’s Traditional is a dance of true honour and dignity carried in the Woman’s posture and short steps. It is a dance most often done by older Women in the community and the tone of the dance is set by the oldest Women dancing, with others following lead.
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When we watch demonstrations, often the most prominent visual and meaningful features is the Regalia adorning the dancers. We are drawn to its beauty and the feeling of intentional meaning behind each of the different pieces of Regalia on the dancers. It is together that the dance, the dancer’s regalia and their spirit come together to create a most sincere expression and representation of one’s self.
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Regalia is collected over time by the dancer, piece by piece. Regalia is often made by hand and beading is done by themselves or friends and family which is a slow labour. Regalia is also sometimes gifted to the dancer from others.
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Regalia is a way of self-expression, presenting your features, stories and spirit to others. It can be symbolic as Tracy’s is, representing the Thunderbird story as a message of anti-bullying. The Thunderbird in some traditions was told to have protected a young one from abuse from peers. This was something of deep meaning that Tracy wanted expressed. There are many other meanings to be found in her Regalia such as the colours, the Jade charms and the beading. Regalia is very personal and intentional as a way of sharing your story and expressing yourself.
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Thank you to Tracy Mears who shared the meaning behind her Regalia and gave me permission to take and share these videos on Indigenous Peoples Day 2023.
Busy day today at the Riverbank Discovery Centre as we host the Doors Open Brandon Indigenous Component. There will be a raffle held inside today for some pretty cool prizes that you see in the video and free sunflower seeds for everyone! Come buy some tickets when you stop by for our short films viewing that will take place at 4 until 6 TODAY. Tipi teachings will be happening soon beside the fusion credit union stage at 2! See you all soon!😁
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#indigenoustourismmb #Indigenoustourism #Indigenousculture #Indigenousexperience #exploreindigenoustourism #indigenoustourismcanada #Manitoba #discovermanitoba #travelmanitoba #exploremanitoba #Manitobatourism
•AKICITA•
The tipi located on the Brandon Police Service grounds talks about community warriors. You can find this one at 1020 Victoria Ave in front of the building. Each tipi in our city has a plaque. This one reads:
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In the Dakota teachings Akicita is a Warrior or Police Officer who cannot go out to battle any longer so they have a responsibility in the tribe or camp to keep peace and protect the tribe or community.
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Another role is to take the young boys under their wing who may have lost their father. Akicita’s main roles is to take on the Father figure for these young men when their fathers go to war.
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Some warriors or hunters don’t come home because they are either
killed or badly injured in battle or in a hunting accident. A lot of boys become fatherless, and this is where the Akicita take on the father roles to these young boys and start to teach them about becoming a man, a warrior or hunter themselves. They also train them how to treat and respect a woman. These young boys get a lot of positive teachings just like the other boys that still have fathers.
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The Akicita has a big role in the tribe or community; they find positive role models or mentors for the young boys and the tribe. They are highly decorated and well taken care of Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, Spiritually and looked up to by everyone in the camp.
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As you can see, these Akicita play a very important role in protecting the community just as the Police Officers do today.
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Please check out our previous posts to find out the meaning behind these beautiful “forever tipis” you see around our city.
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#indigenoustourismmb #Indigenoustourism #Indigenousculture #Indigenousexperience #exploreindigenoustourism #indigenoustourismcanada #Manitoba #discovermanitoba #travelmanitoba #exploremanitoba #Manitobatourism #brandonbringsyouback #brandontourism
