LEARN
gina'masuti
Learning at Asitu'l~sk
Asitu'l~sk stands for learning, for exploration, and for all time. Whether guided by us or a self-exploration adventure, when a guest at Windhorse you are free to experience all the land has to offer. All guests are asked to respect the land and its inhabitants. Take a moment to be grateful to those who have kept the land safe, appreciate those caring for it now, and stay considerate of those who might benefit from this place in the future. Asitu'l~sk invites you to connect with the earth, care for the land and all its beings, and learn from its teachings.
Programming
Use the space, enjoy the space.. how can we host you? What do we offer? List of past and current programs - use blog posts for events?
Msit No'kmaq (All My Relations)
Msit No'kmaq ("Mm-sit Noh-goh-mah"): Like most Native American beliefs, the Mi'kmaq traditional spirituality is animistic. This does NOT mean that we worship animals - the term 'animism' means that we recognize and acknowledge the living spirit within all things. As one would expect, this encompasses the entire animal kingdom, but we also acknowledge the spirit within plants, and within the rocks and waters of our world. We also do not 'worship' these things. Instead, we recognize that their spirits and our own are akin to each other, and we treat these spirits with the same respect we wish for ourselves. As in many Native American traditions, this respect is expressed verbally with the phrase "All My Relations," which acknowledges our connection with all things around us. In Mi'kmawi'simk, this translates as Msit No'kmaq ("Mm-sit Noh-goh-mah") which is one of the most meaningful phrases in the language. In practice, the respect is expressed in the way we deal with the world around us. We will not kill an animal unless we are in danger, or require it for food, and then we give humble thanks and an offering (usually tobacco) to its spirit for giving its life for us. In exactly the same way, we will not kill a plant unless we have need of it for some purpose, and again we will make an offering in recognition of its sacrifice. In fact, we will make an offering to Mother Earth if we dig a hole, in recognition of the fact that we are disturbing her skin. Native spirituality demands that we recognize our place in the world around us, and never forget that we are surrounded by other beings who were created by the same supreme being that created us, and are just as deserving of life as we are. Stated simply, we take nothing we don't need, we waste nothing, and we offer thanks for everything we do take.
The 7 Sacred Teachings
The Seven Grandfather Teachings, also known as the Seven Sacred Teachings, form the foundation of what is now considered the Indigenous way of life. While many Indigenous communities can differ in beliefs, which have been passed down through generations by traditional teachings, the Sacred Teachings have always been about human conduct towards others. These teachings have formed a bond between First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people.
Kesaltimkewey (Love)
Kitpu (Eagle)
To feel true love is to know the Creator. Therefore, it is expected that one’s first love is to be the Great Spirit. He is considered the father of all children, and the giver of human life. Love given to the Great Spirit is expressed through love of oneself, and it is understood that if one cannot love oneself, it is impossible to love anyone else.
The Eagle was chosen by the Great Spirit to represent this law, as the Eagle can reach the highest out of all the creatures in bringing pure vision to the seeker. Although the supplier of the greatest and most powerful medicine, love can also be the most elusive of the teachings, as it depends upon a world that acknowledges the importance of spirituality.
Ketleweywaqn (Honesty)
Maqsitajit (Sabe)
Long ago, there was a giant called Kitch-Sabe. Kitch-sabe walked among the people to remind them to be honest to the laws of the creator and honest to each other. The highest honour that could be bestowed upon an individual was the saying, “There walks an honest man. He can be trusted.”
To be truly honest was to keep the promises one made to the Creator, to others, and to oneself. The Elders would say, “Never try to be someone else; live true to your spirit, be honest to yourself, and accept who you are the way the Creator made you.”
Penoqe'k (Humility)
Paqti~sm (Wolf)
Recognizing and acknowledging that there is a higher power than man and it is known as the Creator is to be deemed truly humble. To express deference or submission to the Creator through the acceptance that all beings are equal is to capture the spirit of humility. The expression of this humility is manifested through the consideration of others before ourselves.
In this way, the Wolf became the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and once hunted, will not take of the food until it can be shared with the pack. His lack of arrogance and respect for his community is a hard lesson, but integral in the Indigenous way.
Kepmite'taqn (Respect)
Mestakepekejit (Buffalo)
The Buffalo, through giving its life and sharing every part of its being, showed the deep respect it had for the people. No animal was more important to the existence of Indigenous families than this animal, and its gift provided shelter, clothing, and utensils for daily living.
Native people believed themselves to be true caretakers of the great herds, and developed a sustainable relationship with the Buffalo, resulting in a relationship that was a true expression of respect.
Teliaqewe'l (Truth)
Mikjijk (Turtle)
To know truth is to know and understand all of the original laws as given by the Creator – and to remain faithful to them. It is said that in the beginning, when the Creator made man and gave him the seven sacred laws, the Grandmother Turtle was present to ensure that the laws would never be forgotten.
On the back of a Turtle are the 13 moons, each representing the truth of one cycle of the Earth’s rotations around the sun. The 28 markings on her back represent the cycle of the moon and of a woman’s body. The shell of the Turtle represents the body real events as created by the Higher Power, and serves as a reminder of the Creator’s will and teachings.
Mlkikno’ti (Courage)
Muin (Bear)
The Bear provides many lessons in the way it lives, but courage is the most important teaching it offers. Though gentle by nature, the ferociousness of a mother Bear when one of her cubs is approached is the true definition of courage.
To have the mental and moral strength to overcome fears that prevent us from living our true spirit as human beings is a great challenge that must be met with the same vigour and intensity as a mother Bear protecting her cub. Living of the heart and living of the spirit is difficult, but the Bear’s example shows us how to face any danger to achieve these goals.
Ns~tuo'qn (Wisdom)
Kopit (Beaver)
The building of a community is entirely dependent on gifts given to each member by the creator and how these gifts are used. The Beaver’s example of using his sharp teeth for cutting trees and branches to build his dams and lodges expresses this teaching.
If he did not use his teeth, the teeth would continue to grow until they became useless, ultimately making it impossible for him to sustain himself. The same can be said for human beings. One’s spirit will grow weak if it is not fulfilling its use. When used properly however, these gifts contribute to the development of a peaceful and healthy community.