Author Archives: South Wind

Spirit Names

Posted on March 9, 2013 by South Wind

At the moment of your death you will hear a name called out and spiritually you will know to fly swiftly towards the voice which summons you. The name called to you will not be the name you were known … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged Algonquin, Spirit Name, spirituality | Leave a comment

Singing Pebble Storytelling: 16 March

Posted on February 20, 2013 by South Wind

I knew an old man long ago, with leather-like skin, who would dip his fingers into a tin of Copenhagen snuff and then, with unwashed fingers, gingerly stuff a large pinch of it into a toothless mouth already overflowing with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Albert Dumont, Algonquin, Millhaven, poetry, stories, storytelling | Leave a comment

Sobriety and the Boulet Boots

Posted on February 17, 2013 by South Wind

I remember a summer day back in 1970, going into a shop in the Byward Market (Lowertown Ottawa) and telling the shopkeeper, “I want the meanest cowboy boots in the store and I don’t care about the cost.” The proprietor, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sobriety | Tagged addiction, Albert Dumont, alcohol, alcoholism, Boulet Boots, cowboy boots, healing, sobriety | 3 Comments

Humility – Curbing Violence Against Women

Posted on February 12, 2013 by South Wind

Humility – is it not the greatest of our grandfather teachings? It is impossible to claim to be surrounding oneself with the grandness of any of the other teachings without placing humility in the front, centre and back of all … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Tagged #IdleNoMore, Families of Sisters in Spirit, For Our Sisters, FSIS, grandfather teachings, humility, Indigenous, spirituality, violence, women | 1 Comment

Hero – Are You One?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by South Wind

A white man I have a lot of respect for mentioned to me recently that he doesn’t believe Chief Theresa Spence was really on a liquid fast for 44 days. “Looked too healthy at the end of it,” he snorted. … Continue reading →

Posted in Chief Spence, Spirituality | Tagged #IdleNoMore, Albert Dumont, Attawapiskat, Chief Theresa Spence, Ezra Levant, fasting, fasting ceremony, racist, spirituality, Sun Media | 1 Comment

Perpetrators of Hatred

Posted on January 31, 2013 by South Wind

The topic was Idle No More, and suddenly the peace was broken. The voice of a very angry white man cracked from the radio perched in my cluttered kitchen. “If there is one thing I can’t stand,” he growled, “it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Idle No More | Tagged #IdleNoMore, genocide, hatred, Idle No More, Indigenous, John A. MacDonald, racism, spirituality, victim | Leave a comment

Chief Spence: The Fast is Complete

Posted on January 28, 2013 by South Wind

Chief Spence has ended her fast, the ceremony is complete. But far into the many tomorrows will the benefits of her sacrifice run like painted mustangs on an open range. Our thoughts which bring tears, our tears which bring a … Continue reading →

Posted in Chief Spence, Spirituality | Tagged #IdleNoMore, Albert Dumont, Attawapiskat, Chief Theresa Spence, fasting, fasting ceremony, fasting ritual, Indigenous, peaceful, protest, spirituality | 1 Comment

Who is Guilty of Terrorism?

Posted on January 24, 2013 by South Wind

Our voices communicating honour for all life, the sound of our singing drums, the sight of our people dancing, the power of our circles and our growing pride are apparently terrorizing Canadians. This according to a definition of the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle No More | Tagged #IdleNoMore, Aboriginal, Albert Dumont, Chief Theresa Spence, Ezra Levant, Indigenous, John A. MacDonald, Residential Schools | 2 Comments

Chief Spence: The Fasting Ritual

Posted on January 22, 2013 by South Wind

The men of Millhaven Institution’s (CSC) Native Brotherhood have found a hero, perhaps for the first time in their lives. Chief Theresa Spence has become a mighty source of inspiration into their rehabilitation goals. Her messages to them is that violence only … Continue reading →

Imagine 60%

Posted on January 20, 2013 by South Wind

According to a recent poll, 60% of Canadians believe that the First Nations themselves are responsible for the misery and dysfunction found in their communities. This tells me that 60% of Canadians are a pretty hard-hearted bunch. What must they … Continue reading →

Posted in Idle No More | Tagged #IdleNoMore, Aboriginal, Albert Dumont, Attawapiskat, Chief Theresa Spence | Leave a comment