Teepees and Storytelling
Teepee Teachings from Peeling Poles to Teepee Raising
In Cree and Anishinaabe teachings, the teepee is a woman with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders with her arms raised to the sky, giving thanks to Creator. I use the teepee structure to teach about Indigenous epistemologies, ontologies, axiology (ethics) and methodologies. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me.
The 15 poles represent:
- Respect
- Guidance
- Humility
- Happiness
- Love
- Trust
- Kinship
- Cleanliness
- Thankfulness
- Sharing
- Strength
- Good child rearing
- Hope
- Responsibility
- Interconnectedness
The poles represent the unique experiences and perspectives of each student. Although they are spaced apart around the perimeter, they meet and intersect at the top. The interconnections and relationships transform our growth and understanding. If one pole were erected without the others, it would fall to the ground. Therefore, we lean and support one another throughout our lifelong learning journey.
The teepee cover is the context that brings us all together, and represents the classroom. The fire in the middle of the teepee symbolizes our passion for knowledge and understanding, and the wood that fuels the fire is the content, readings, exercises, and conversations.
Hunting, Hides, and Drums
Drum-Making From Hunting to Final Instrument
Fish, Food, and Medicines
From Growing to Harvesting
