Sep 8

Early Morning; putting the finishing Touches on the Vermont Indigenous Heritage Center Sweat lodge in preparation for Brian Altavater's sweat lodge ceremony and teachings. Brian, his wife Denise and their grandson Gavin traveled from Sipayik (Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation in Maine to be with us for the Labor Day Weekend for a mix of hiking, ceremony, singing and teaching with Alnobaiwis.

After the Mid-day sweat lodge and following an Indigenous style lunch including Three Sisters Soup, cornbread, blueberries and other delicacies, Bran and his family sat with us for teaching.  Denise (left is telling us about her experiences with David Gehue, the tent shaker who passed in 2010.  The Shake Tent is our most sacred ceremony and it was important for Alnôbaiwis to begin to understand its nature and its lore. Gavin, in the center also shared his version of the Passamaquoddy Creation story. Brian Altavater shared stories of the minor miracles, adventure, and the Shake Tent in Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Alnôbaiwis ready for a tour of Northwestern Vermont Sacred sites  with Brian (left).

Checking out the Abenaki history and ecology Kiosk at the Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge.

Hiking the Maquam Creek trial and Lowland Swamp forest Ecosystem in the wildlife Refuge.  Many turtles, two eagles, a beaver, chaga fungus, medicine herbs and lots of Highbush blueberries.  Brian had never seen any blueberries other than the Maine Lowbush variety.