Timeline for my Stories of the White Eagle Sun Dances

2001, age  47

Spring, first trip to Elsipogtog/Big Cove reserve, for May fast with my teacher Two Feathers.

Summer, return to be a supporter/helper, for Two Feathers & the other dancers, met MigMaw and Blackfoot Sun Dancers for the first time. 

During public sweat Lodge, I receive msg.s for in Clarence Pattles nephew Eugene. 

While making my flesh offerings, at the North side of the Arbor during the 3^rd day, Karen & Evangeline, the Women Leaders, invite me to dance.

During the dance out blessing, their pipe stems electrify my heart.

Autumn return for October fast.

First Four Years : As a fasting pledger from 2002-2005

2002 East Year ‘New Beginnings,’age 48

Spring 2002, we hold a four day Bear Fast and build our own Lodge at home.

Summer, my first Sun Dance as a dancer

Autumn,  returned to Big Cove for the fast

2003 South Year,  age 49 

Spring the May fast

Summer the Sun Dance

Autumn the October fast

2004 West Year, age 50, 

Spring fast in May

Summer Sun Dance in July

Autumn fast in October

2005 North Year, age 51

Spring fast in May

Summer Sun Dance in July

Autumn fast in October

Second Four Years : As a leader helper from 2006-2009

2006 East Year, age 52

2007 South Year, age 53

2008 West Year, age 54

2009 North Year, age 55

Helped out at almost every May & October fast. 

2010 Another 4 year cycle begins:
East Year, as a leader helper, age 56

2011 South Year, age 57.

2012 West Year, age 58

2013 North Year, age 59.
At this point, I will be the same age Evangeline was, when she passed. I pray to Creator for the help necessary so that, by then, the book Every Day Is Sun Day: The Wisdom of the Sun Dance, will be done, and available to others.
My intention is that it will continue raising funds, for the continuation of the Sun Dance we all owe so much to, once I too have passed on. 

Writing a Sun Dance book, one day at a time

Welcome to a new Sun Dance blog, born on this first day of 2012. It is my hope that these ceremonies, the Sun and our Creator, will help you find what you are looking for...in a good way. 

This blog is my humble attempt to protect and preserve the memories of our sacred Sun Dances, which continue to be celebrated each summer, across Canada and the United States. 
As it is forbidden to film or photograph these ceremonies, the Sun Dances are not well known in today's world, despite the many good things that come from them; including healing of all kinds, continuing sobriety, and recovery from all sorts of traumas. 

I wish to leave a written record of the White Eagle Sun Dances in particular, for those are the ones I am most familiar with, having taken part in them since 2001. Held continuously since 1999, in New Brunswick, Canada, on the Elsipogtog First Nation reserve, these ceremonies are lead by William J. Nevin, a Migmaw (aka MicMac) Sun Dance Chief, and his leader helpers from many other tribes. 

During the last decade, participating in the White Eagle Sun Dance ceremonies, has been my greatest honor. I will remain eternally grateful, to all my Sun Dance sisters and brothers, for the opportunity to join them in the Arbor each July. (And to help with the preparation fasts, each May and October.) Our families, friends and supporters must also be remembered and saluted here too. Thanks to them, and their many contributions, these ceremonies continue to spread their blessings within, and well beyond, our individual communities. 

These writings are my effort to give something in return for all the received blessings. It is also my intention to honor the dying wish of our Women's Sun Dance Leader, Evangeline Francis, who told me, 'We need more documentation of the Sun Dance,' during our final hospital conversation, before she passed in 2009. 

To these ends, I am going to review, rewrite and share in this blog, 10 years worth of documentation, in the form of my personal journal entries and notes, kept during the years we danced together. Hopefully, one day, these blog entries can be published under the same title, Every Day Is Sun Day: Honoring the Wisdom of the Sun Dance. The world needs the 'good news' these ceremonies can provide to those most in need of hope and help.  

I am not saying that all the worlds' problems can be solved if everyone becomes a Sun Dancer, but despairing people need to know some of us do care. Some of us are praying for your healing and for Mother Earth's, and we have been willing to go without food or water, for four days, and to make other sacrifices as we dance our prayers, on behalf of others... 

In addition to doing what we can for those in need, we Sun Dancers also take a vow to have no enemies. This is another 'wisdom' the world could use... I'll explain more about these things in future entries. In keeping with that vow however, I want to say at the outset, it is not my intention to offend anyone by writing about the Sun Dance. After ten years of dancing myself, I am very aware of the respect and care these ceremonies deserve, in written and spoken communications. So do not fear that this will be some 'tell all' blog. 

Neither am I claiming to be an expert on anything, except my own Sun Dance experiences. This blog is simply an account of one woman's spiritual Journey, and an homage to those she met along the way. I hope my readers will help make this a better blog (and eventual book) by asking me questions and contributing clarifying comments.  

Perhaps you will also join me, and support the Sun Dance ceremonies, in whatever way you can. That's all for now. More to come. 
   
Omset nogama, a Mi'kmaq expression, which means in English, 'All My Relations'