By N. Dicecco
At the core of the First Nations belief system is the philosophy of giving of one’s self or personal belonging to others in order to sustain the circle of life within the universe. As a child protection worker, this philosophical belief it clearly demonstrated by the caring and nurturing a native foster parent gives to the children placed in their home. Be them children within their own cultural or others, Read the rest of this entry >>
By Erin Cox
When attending an important celebration in today’s society, like a birth or a marriage, it is the guest who brings a gift to show their happiness for the occasion. But for the Kwakwaka’wakw people, the opposite is true. “When one’s heart is glad, he gives away gifts. Our creator gave it to us, to be our way of doing things, to be our way of rejoicing, we who are Indian. The Potlatch was given to us to be our way of expressing joy” – Agnes Alfred of Albert Bay (1980).
A potlatch is a ceremony intrinsic to the social and spiritual community of the Kwakwaka’wakw located in British Colombia. These ceremonies are thrown for all important celebrations of their community. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Erin Cox
When attending an important celebration in today’s society, like a birth or a marriage, it is the guest who brings a gift to show their happiness for the occasion. But for the Kwakwaka’wakw people, the opposite is true. “When one’s heart is glad, he gives away gifts. Our creator gave it to us, to be our way of doing things, to be our way of rejoicing, we who are Indian. The Potlatch was given to us to be our way of expressing joy” – Agnes Alfred of Albert Bay (1980).
A potlatch is a ceremony intrinsic to the social and spiritual community of the Kwakwaka’wakw located in British Colombia. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Roma Breese
“We’re not here to serve ourselves – Dikée Aankaawu (creator) made everything for a purpose and that purpose is to serve others, – like the moose serves us, the wolves, bears, even the plants in both its life and death – all things, all of nature same thing – it is about serving others – we do so in life and in death.” Pete Sidney, Elder – Carcross/Tagish First Nation
Some time ago, I was privileged to visit White Horse, Yukon and even more honoured to spend a day in Carcross with a First Nation community. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Ruth Brago
First nation believes that to give should not be a duty in which individuals get to choose whether or not they want to help someone, such as their neighbour. Giving to First Nation people is not a chose to them but instead it is their beliefs and traditions which forms their community and makes the world a better place for everyone. They do not divide themselves up into individuals but sees themselves as one big family, meaning if one person succeeds in life they all do. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Rachel Belo
Having been adopted into a community of Plains Cree Indians at the age of 21 my Uncle John experienced firsthand how philanthropy and giving are manifested among First Nations peoples. For nearly a year, John stayed in an Indian (Native) reserve 72 miles north of Saskatoon. With the perspective of a Toronto ‘outsider,’ John saw in the Plains Cree Indians a strong sense of community sharing unparalleled in the typical Western society to which he was accustomed. Read the rest of this entry >>