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The Sacred Fire and its Importance in First Nation Culture

Explore the significance of fire in First Nation culture, its role in healing and spirituality, and the responsibilities of treating fire with respect. Discover how fire is a gift from Mother Earth that provides warmth, energy, and new life.

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The Sacred Fire and its Importance in First Nation Culture

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  1. Developed By Sharon Meyer NESD FNMI Consultant September 2015

  2. Cree First Nation Worldview The Creator created four things above Mother Earth: 1 – Sun 2 – Sky 3 – Moon 4 - Stars

  3. wind fire water rock Then the Creator made the four elements: 1 – wind 2 – fire 3 – rock 4 – water

  4. Traditional First Nation people call the sun ‘fire’ within the medicine wheel. It is an element that we cannot live without. The sacred fire is symbolic to the sun heating Mother Earth. It is a time for healing and used for many reasons. Respect is shown to the fire and the surrounding grounds at all times. A sacred fire is normally lit for 4 days and nights with a Fire Keeper in attendance at all times. Stones usually form a circle around the fire with four openings representing the four directions. Sacred fires will be unique in its teachings and an Elder or Fire Keeper is available to help share the teachings. First Nation Spirituality – Planting The Seeds Series http://the-office.com/bedtime-story/iroquois-fire.htm How Fire Came To Be

  5. Honoring Fire Mother Earth has bestowed the gift of fire to her children and provides warmth and energy. The gift of Fire is believed to be the giver of new life and is often associated with fertility. Fire is the element that requires the utmost care and attention since it can bring new life and take life away. Fire can devastate land during times of drought but can also provide a natural cleansing of Mother Earth. The element of fire provides the gifts of all sources of energy to her children. Assembly of First Nations – Honoring Fire

  6. Ways we can start a fire: Using friction Can you think of other ways to start a fire? Magnifying glass Keep us warm A match can start a fire Lightning can start a fire

  7. Ways we use fire: Fire can be used as a light source Help us heat and cook food Fire can keep us warm Fire to heat and boil water Grandfather rocks are heated before entering the sweatlodge What are other ways that fire can be used?

  8. Fire is one of the four gifts from the Creator and we must treat it with respect. Fire can be very damaging if it is not treated with respect. Housefire Forest Fires Fire can burn our skin Fire can be used as a weapon Burn food What other ways can fire be harmful?

  9. Web Resources: http://www.spiritsd.ca/learningresources/FNM%20Resources/Pre-K,%20Four%20Elements,%20Fire,%20Rock,%20Water,%20Wind.pdf Pre-K unit from the Prairie School Division that incorporates the teaching of fire http://www.sfmn.ales.ualberta.ca/en/Publications/~/media/sfmn/Publications/ResearchNotes/Documents/RN_E37_PikangikumFN_low.ashx Teachings from the people of Pikangikum First Nation of Alberta You Tube https://www.nfb.ca/film/how_people_got_fire 16:02 Legend – How People Got Fire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJGNmgy676I 2:24 Granville Online: Flight of the hummingbird

  10. Thank you for learning the First Nation way of understanding our place on Turtle Island and Mother Earth. Sharon Meyer – NESD FNMI

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