Ancestral Teachings
We Are Not Alone
By Elder Alo White
We come upon a fork on the road of life, and we are lost in mind, body, and spirit. What road should we take? The road leading straight ahead is about “SELF” and the one veering off is dark and dangerous.
Take a deep breath and ask spirit,
“Help me,” trust in the message, your feelings. Be brave, and walk straight ahead towards the good road about “self.” This path will not mislead you.
Have trust and do not look down, Instead,look ahead at new discoveries about yourself, Learn and share to others who might be standing on that fork. You are being guided. Spirit truly loves you.
Ancestral Way
By Elder Alo White
A long time ago, before the coming of the white man upon our lands, the Anishinaabe lived in harmony with Mother Earth. Everything was connected to the land and water.
They held deepest respect with the swimmers, 4 legged, flyers, and crawlers.
The connection with the creator was strong.
Knowledge was shared in the Midewiin Lodge.
To uphold survival of all things, the ancestors were people of the Midewiin way of life. Midewin simply means
“Heart way.” Consisting of sacred rights, duties and responsibilities of a way of being.
Spirit Bowl
By Elder Alo White
We all have a spirit bowl.. while alive we fill our bowl by doing good and walking the Ancestral way.
When it’s our time, our loved ones will look at the night sky and see the big dipper, they will remember and never forget who their ancestors were. We will stand in front of creator, he will ask about our bowl, which will be spirit form.
I made it my life commitment to fill my bowl.
It is an endless bottomless bowl… it is spirit, just like the Universe
In spirit… no one counts or keeps track. What is important is the physical, because spirit is always with us.
Just like the stars… no one can count how many or where the universe ends or starts.
Loss of a Loved One
By Elder Alo White
Time stops and you can not think about tomorrow. Overwhelming pain and grief.
It hurts your chest, breathing is fast. The shock of a loved one passing away. Sadness, hurt, pain and tears which seem never ending.
The unsaid words you should have said, even an “I love you”.
Maybe words of anger you said, which you now regret. Or not spending enough time and energy to listen. Guilt and sadness is overwhelming.
Spirit is with you, it is not your fault, creator has given your loved one time with you and then they have to go…
Spirit is the sun, moon, stars, wind, birds, 4 legged, crawlers, and swimmers. Allow them to sooth your tears.
Spirit is your every breath, sight, hearing and taste.
Spirits are your friends and family who will be there for you in this, your most darkest time.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
A Guest’s Last Visit
By Elder Alo White
In 2009, I quided a guest, a lady, all by herself. She and her husband had been coming up for over 20 years, always pre-paid, booking the same date for the following year.
Her husband had passed away that winter. His wishes were that she come by herself and visit all the shorelunch spots we used and then place his ashes in his favorite fishing hole.
I had always taken him to this place where it is a quiet bay with plenty of animals and fish. That day, she did not want to fish, but I took some walleye fillets and still cooked for her. She was pleasantly surprised.
After shorelunch we continued on with our day. The last stop was his favorite fishing hole. I did a ceremony and she released him to the water spirits.
She cried for awhile as I sat patiently beside her. Then an eagle swooped down right in front of us. I told her “The eagle acknowledges the spirit of your husband, John.
She said to me, “This will be the last time I will see you, I am never coming back.
I told her “I know.”
The following year I recieved a letter from her son. She had instructed him to write to me as she was getting ill.
She had passed away.
Lost Fishing Rod
By Elder Alo White
I had a guest accidentally drop his fishing rod in the lake. He said his mind was not focused on the task at hand and the rod just slipped from his hand.
When this happened, he was sad as it belonged to his late father.
I offered my words of condolences and said, “A good thing will come out of this.
I went back on my first day off, dragged the bottom with treble hooks and scored the fishing rod.
I sent it back to him by mail.
A month later. He called me to tell me how grateful he was that I had taken the time to recover his fishing rod. He remembered my words about “good things” and told me he got married to his high school sweetheart.
That made my guide year!
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Miigwetch!