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Services Currently Provided by Blue Sky Community Consultation
• Gatherings, sharing of culture;
Our grass roots approach has partners supporting
this endeavor from as far away as: Kenora to the
Ozhaawashko-giizhig
west; Sudbury to the east; Kettle Point First Nation (Blue Sky)
• Promotes access to Elders, Traditional to the south; and, Constance Lake to the north.
Healers, Teachers; We have had four large community gatherings Traditional Teaching Lodge
acknowledging this support. An example of the
support being realized is best described by the Elder,
• Cultural Awareness programs; INFORMATION PORTFOLIO
Mary Michano, of Ojibways of the Pic River First
Nation and her experience of the gathering in her www.blueskyteachinglodge.ca
• “Spirit” awakening, holistic dialogue; community on September 20, 2006:
• Anishinabe experiences; “It was nice to be with the group. The Circle was
very powerful and so many of our people carry
• Promotes access to Traditional teachings, the seven sacred teachings. Our First Nation
Traditional ways are always our strength and we
ceremonies; as First Nations are very proud of that. It is so
important to gather, share and give the
• Promotion and awareness of teachings to each other. We rebuild ourselves
environmental stewardship; so then we can pass it down to our children’s
children to continue the sacred circle and
gatherings in other First Nation communities.
• Sharing of history, storytelling;
Our Creator always walks with us and guides
our people. We are very strong by the direction
• Promotes access to Traditional medicines,
we are given. Creating and focusing on our
medicine walks; and, Turtle Lodges in our communities will make our Corporation Contacts:
people stronger. Our ways of life are given to us
Norma Fawcett, Elder, President
• Presentations to workshops, classes, and by our loving Creator. We are very special
people. Other Nations are always looking for Lake Helen First Nation
conferences. Tel: (807) 887-2205
healing and the strength that we have. Others
Fax: (807) 887-2162
are looking up to us as First Nations. Yes the
Status of Development of Blue Sky: project is very good. We are always rebuilding Cindy Crowe, Vice-President
ourselves to see more clearly. I hope I can play 1306 Victoria Avenue East
Blue Sky is seeking $44,148.50 in funding to a role and be a helper with the Teaching Lodge. Thunder Bay, ON, P7C 1C2
complete: consultation with focus groups; formalize Anything I can do. Thanks.” Tel: (807) 473-9851
Fax: (807) 939-2750
Board of Directors; market assessment including Cell: (807) 627-5768
Spirit Buffalo Woman Looking to the West
surveys; feasibility study; and, business plan. crowe@tbaytel.net
Vision Statement Purpose of Blue Sky Desired Components of the Teaching Lodge
With the help of the Creator, we will bring all four Blue Sky is not just a vision, but a reality which is This facility would ensure that the Elders,
Nations together to promote: love; respect; helping to rebuild cultural and Spiritual Traditional people and teachers in the area would
courage; honesty; wisdom; humility; and truth. connections. The primary goal of Blue Sky is to always have a location to meet and gather, share
With an army of helpers, we will achieve these provide an environment for individuals from all teachings, promote good healthy lifestyles,
teachings through gatherings sharing knowledge cultures and walks of life to gather; share inspire a sense of pride in the Anishnabe peoples
and creating awareness. Anishnabe culture; traditional teachings and stories and preserve the Anishnabe language and culture.
Norma Fawcett, Elder, Red Rock Indian Band from Elders; and, the Spiritual laws. This medicine wheel illustrates the four
components proposed for Blue Sky:
Spiritual Laws: Seven Sacred Teachings Focused on building peace, unity, and
The Anishinabe were given seven sacred laws that understanding, Blue Sky will encourage and provide
were to act as a spiritual foundation. These laws the opportunities to experience and learn about the
offered direction for anyone wishing to have a natural, historical and cultural characteristics of
balanced and peaceful life. Each law was represented unique environments while preserving the integrity
by an animal: and sustainability of those sites and stimulate the
economic development opportunities.
LOVE - Represented by the EAGLE
RESPECT - Represented by the BUFFALO Blue Sky has been travelling to various
COURAGE - Represented by the BEAR communities in the region to create awareness,
HONESTY - Represented by the SABE (bigfoot) recruit new members as well as bring our goals to
WISDOM - Represented by the BEAVER others. As a result of these community and event
HUMILITY - Represented by the WOLF visits and to respond to the growing interest,
TRUTH - Represented by the TURTLE membership and development of Blue Sky, the
Watching the animal world offered the Anishinabe organization is currently in the process of acquiring
teachings that kept him\her in balance with the a building to act as our main meeting spot. We
The following offers a “snapshot” of what a typical
natural laws. Blue Sky will incorporate these partnered with Lakehead University students to
day could look like:
Spiritual Laws into all activities. complete studies to help us move forward in
determining location and development options. • Archaeologist teaching class how to respect,
preserve and display artifacts;
History of Blue Sky
We have worked hard to involve community, • Native veterans sharing war stories;
A meeting was held with some Elders of the Lake government, corporate, tourism, academic and • Elders made fresh blueberry pie;
Helen First Nation on October 11, 2005. There resource-based voices and recommendations in
• brook trout are spawning and you can view them
was an exchange of ideas and the direction from the at a viewing area through a webcam;
moving forward and have had many successful
Elders was to move forward with this project to • fire burning in the centre of the Gathering Area
developments to date. We have developed a and the Elders are sharing teachings with all races
gather more information. Our organization has working foundation with strategic stakeholders, of Nations, young and old alike; and,
recently become incorporated under the name community partnerships, inclusive membership and • Elders from Pays Plat First Nation are showing
Ozhaawashko-giizhig Traditional Teaching Lodge. governance with very little financial support. youth how to make mukluks.
