Circles

Pow-Wow’s, Sweat Lodge’s, Gatherings, Ceremonies, Elders, Medicine Man and Woman, Chief, Warrior, Clan, Brave, and Circles of all kinds. These make up the world of a Native American both First Nation and Métis. Our lives are governed by the code for sacred living, honoring all that is created. We have lived and now live knowing who we are what our relationship is to the Creator and Mother Earth. We live with a series of circles, where we teach, play, learn and age.

Powwow is when different tribes or clans come together to celebrate an event. Maybe a good hunt and to share the bounty from Mother Earth. Maybe it is a time when many tribes come together, usually once a year, to make marriage contracts and weddings with a give-a-way for the new couple to gain in the wealth of the families. It is also time when a tribe does ceremony because of a season ritual. Maybe it is harvest time, planting time, hunting time. Maybe it is a ceremony for the rite of passage from a boy to a man or a girl to a woman.

Sweat Lodge is for the healing of the body, mind and spirit of an individual. There is a Sacred Way to make these healings work. Songs to sing, herbs to use and a pipe to smoke for prayers to travel on to reach The Creator.

Women’s and Men’s circles are gatherings in the interest of bonding, sharing, and creating ritual. The origins of these circles are ancient, but they are as modern and important as when they were first created. There are no hard and fast rules to form a circle. Some circles invent their own agendas, goals, and ceremonies. Some circles are open to new members at all times, while others are by invitation

In a typical circle, the members sit in a circle. Generally, for the sake of cohesiveness, an Elder or Chief leads the circle. . One circle leader may choose to teach a rite using song to release negative energy, while another leader may feel inspired to lead a silent meditation. On the other hand, a circle may choose to focus over the long term and gather around a particular intention, such as working to determine a way for healing Mother Earth.

At their best, circles perfectly illustrate the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The work that can be accomplished, within the loving embrace of our brothers and sisters, is far more powerful than what we could achieve on our own. If you are not already part of a circle, you may want to start or join one. It need not be just your blood family. Friends holding concerns about some idea or other can meet and through prayer and meditation make a difference in the community or neighborhood. Follow your intuition as to those with whom you would like to work, reach out to them, and set a date to begin. After that, stay focused on what you are concerned or thankful for.

Our church community is an example of such a circle. When we gather here to glorify The Creator, we act in consert to make our lives more Christ-like. Here we are able to listen to the Elders of the past sharing their sage advice on how to live with each other as well as what to do when we come to a crisis. Here we learn to love one another.

When we share our wealth with the greater circle by the tithe of our bounty, we become part of a circle that helps provide the funding for the many circles our votes have elected to support. Other circles help provide us with a grounding in the Church Community.


Sharing our time and support can be shown by participating in the Friendship Gathering after Mass in the Fellowship Hall.

Shareing our time by volunteering for any one of the many circles (committees ) needed to be manned to help lead the way in our greater Circle called St. Luke’s/San Lucas and to Vancouver.

When I was a small child, I lived in a village governed by a circle of Elders who held the wisdom of my People. I was expected to participate in village life with both my time and my funds. At six years of age, I sold newspapers on the corner of Main Street and Bond Ave, giving a share of what I earned as a gift to the greater circle. I taught by living example to the younger children the values taught me by my Elders.

When the time came to share a story, I knew to share a story from my young life. Other children shared their day’s adventure as well.

By the time I moved away, I had been taught the value of Family. Not only the Birth Family, but also this included close family from all walks of my life. I knew the necessity of giving my time, my funds and to share my life with others. I was taught that, because I have little, I am blessed. My best is to share my Knowledge with those younger than me. As an Elder, I must share my life experiences or there will be no one to tell the history and teach the Medicine Way and tell the stories to the next generation. Then they will be lost and not know their Way to the land across the other side.

Being generous with what we have, is nothing more than being rich with what abounds from Mother Earth. Returning the blessings we receive freely shows our love for our Church, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our Family as well as ourselves.
If we are able, after Mass, instead of leaving, try something new and join your church family in a shared circle of love and fellowship. Join us in the Fellowship Hall for a cup of hot drink and some small treat.

It is pledge time, when you can see your opportunity to share what you have, as the old woman in the parable of the two coppers. You will be blessed 10 fold for your gifts. Share of your learning by joining in a circle of friend who have a like interest, or maybe experience a new interesting talent by learning from someone who is sharing his or her talents.

To become a part of your church family is to become part of a circle for health, wealth, companionship and spiritual growth.

May the Great Spirit be with you as you travel this life and may Mother Earth heap gifts upon you beyond measure; I pray this day in His Name. Amen!