“Happy Winter Solstice” to you all, or as Elder Florence James says, “Uy Tumxuytl!” (Good Winter Month).

Christmas was brought to Turtle Island by the Christian faith. Until contact, the Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island celebrated the Winter Solstice, a re-energizing of the moons. Here are a few Winter Solstice videos that show us how Indigenous culture is. It’s all rooted in place, so each origin story reflects the place on Turtle Island, which is different from place to place but all based on or through an Indigenous lens/cultural value system.

(Please replace DOT with a . in the URLs below)

Winter Solstice - We create our world down here to reflect the stars above.
Found at.
https://youtu.be/TKVgK9n_xcA?feature=shared;

The importance of Winter Solstice in Indigenous Culture - Found at: https://youtu.be/SPiAScxmng4?si=9M-tfuN1d5tH06Zf;

Nanabush & the Spirit of Winter - A sense of reciprocity. Found at: https://youtu.be/RWmoGpD9SQs?si=FmZqnyIy9ZRUufPm;

Along with a couple of resources to watch over the long days ahead are:

An update on the TRC (Truth & Reconciliation Commission) by the AFN (Assembly of First Nations): https://afn.bynder.com/m/2fb4a0c35e36cfb2/original/TRC-Report-Card-2024.pdf

The TRC and it’s '94 Calls to Action' are something I’d like to explore more in 2025.

The passing of Murray Sinclair - https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6554986

An amazing Indigenous person, one of his life’s missions was to see a change in the Indigenous peoples' plight on Turtle Island, specifically Canada, as chairperson of the TRC.
I’ve started his latest book, a fantastic storyteller sharing the final leg of his journey, which his daughter has edited. The editor shared this note. “Structured around the four questions that have long shaped Senator Sinclair's thinking and worldview--Where do I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? Who am I?--Who We Are takes readers into the story of his remarkable life as never before, while challenging them to embrace an inclusive vision for our shared future.”

Found at
https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9780771099106/murray-sinclair/who-we-are

What has always amazed me about Murray was his ability to be firm and honest yet remain so positive in his messaging and the ongoing resilience of the Indigenous People in spite of the past 150 years of colonialism to the contrary.

Feel free to share your reflection with me on any of these Winter Solstice insights. Enjoy and embrace your family—my best wishes to all of the residents and looking forward to 2025.

Huy ch q’a siem, 

Doug Fenton