Sacred Burning Ceremony at the Squamish Nation Shaker Church
We were invited by Michelle Dodds the Executive Director of North Shore Women's Centre to attend the sacred burning ceremony at the Squamish Nation Shaker Church on December 2, 2021, We were told to feel free to bring along others who are interested in experiencing a Sacred Burning and learning about Indigenous Culture - everyone is welcome. The Sacred Burning was to honor the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
They pointed out that the Squamish First Nations hold ceremonies to honor the death of a loved one. They believe, when a loved one passes away, they leave this world and the ancestors welcome them into the spirit world. The Sacred Burning is one of the traditional processes of grieving. Through the ceremony, we are reminded that they have crossed over and will be reunited with family members who have crossed over into the spirit world before us.
The burning is to honor the lives they lived on earth and to remember and honor them in the Spirit World. They no longer walk with us on earth, but we can still stay connected through the Spiritual work we do.
I found the ceremony very moving. I find myself wanting to know more about the ceremonys of the indiginous peoples. I know a lot of their traditions are passed through oral and not written means which means we need to listen and attend ceremonies when we are afforded the oportunity. I look forward to future oportunities to be attend additional ceremonies. I am thankful for the willingness of the indiginous people to include us in their gatherings.
If you would like to know a bit more about Sacred Buring click on the link to the downloaded file What is a scared fire. I also have downloaded a file to this blog which provides a few pictures and a bit about the ceremony we were invited to of December 2, 2021. It is named LVUC Burning Ceremony 2021. No pictures of the actual ceremony were included. It truly was a blessing being able to attend the Scared Burning.