Three Fires, One People Gathering Details

Aanii Boozhoo Relatives,

We are calling upon helpers to support a Four-Day Ceremony taking place simultaneously on the north and south shores of the Straits of Mackinac--the Heart of Turtle Island--this fall. Protected under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, this gathering will include sacred fires, daily ceremonies, feasts, teachings, and offerings made for the water, our ancestors, our people, and all of Creation.

Lodge building will take place Monday through Wednesday, September 29 – October 1, with sacred firelighting and the first sunrise ceremony on Thursday, October 2. The ceremony will continue through Sunday, October 5. For those who are able to stay, cleanup will take place Sunday, October 5 – Monday, October 6.

This is NOT a protest. This is NOT a political gathering. This is ceremony.

Important Things To Know

Lodging: Arrange your own accommodations. No camping at ceremony sites. Reserve at Wilderness or Straits State Parks or nearby hotels.
Camper/RV/Tent/Chair: Bring your own shelter, camping equipment & chair
Offering: An offering for the bundle, if you are able.
Feast Bag: Bowl, cup, utensils, napkin (no disposables).
Food: Meals provided for feasts. Food contributions welcome.
Clothing: Come as you are, dress in what is comfortable.
Ogitchidaa / Staff Carriers: Please bring your staffs and standards (ground placements).
Ceremony Guidelines: Bring yourself in a good way. No pictures or video of ceremony! No drugs, alcohol, or dogs.

What to Bring:

This gathering is carried by all of us. If you are able, please consider bringing items for the bundles, offerings, or to help support the lodge and community. None of this is required — these are simply ways to contribute to the prayers and to care for one another.

Bundle Offerings for the Water & Ancestors

For the Water & Ancestors
Copper (float copper or pennies)
Medicines – semaa (tobacco), wiingashk (sweetgrass), giizhik (cedar), mashkodewashk (smudge)
Lightning stones
Petoskey stones
Quartz or amethyst
Shells (e.g., abalone)
Traditional foods: dried corn, hominy, wild rice, maple sugar candy, jerky, fish, venison, buffalo

Bundle Offerings for the Little People

Miniature items
Small food offering

Supporting the Lodge

The lodge is carried by all who come. These are not requirements, just offerings to consider that can help with the lodge build, the ceremonies, and the gathering as a whole. Some items may be used during the days together and then returned to you (like tools and supplies).

Bring what you can to help care for the space and each other:

Yourself – your presence, your songs, your teachings, your willingness to share knowledge
Tarps and blankets
Food, snacks, coffee, tea, and water
Firewood
Tupperware to take food home
Flashlights or headlamps
Medicines (tobacco, cedar, sweetgrass, sage)
Basic tools: shovel, scissors, knives, axe, splitters, maul, hatchet, etc.
Clean-up supplies and trash bags