The Wisdomkeeper Collection: Gifts from the Grandmothers, #1

By John Wisdomkeeper

Traditional recipes gathered from the Grandmothers of all cultures as I traveled the Canadian Prairies and listened to the stories and shared the food of elders.

Most of these recipes have been passed down by word of mouth, like the talking stories of First Nations culture. A grandmother, Lillian Mack, assisted me in testing and working with the recipes, adding hints and updating some of the ingredients so they could be used in modern kitchens where some of the traditional ingredients might not be readily available.

The herbal remedies are shared with the cautionary note that they should never be prepared or used for medicinal purposes without the guidance and instruction of a medicine teacher or a herbalist.

The Talking Stories are in the nature of First Nation's stories told to children similar to the European tradition found in Aesop Fables.

The Healing Journey stories relate my personal travels on my journey from drug and alcohol addictions to training with Grandfather as a Shaman sharing my traditional culture

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Feb 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780228607670

John Wisdomkeeper

Twenty five years ago I left behind a broken life and began my travels on the red road. Through many journeys and hours and hours listening to the stories of the elders, both Native and non-Native I began to gather their stories and traditions and from the meals shared with them I recorded their personal favorites into a collection that could be enjoyed by future generations. Thanks to 94 year old Lillian Mack for updating many of the recipes with ingredients that might be found by modern cooks.

Book preview

Smudging

Whenever our ancestors were suffering from the black clouds of depression, they used a smudge to cleanse themselves from the despair.

The smudge is a good way to prepare to rid ourselves from crippling emotions.

Find a calm, quiet place - go off alone into the woods if possible.

Gather some sage and grasses and prepare your smudge in a seashell or other suitable container.

Wash yourself completely with the smoke, and make certain to offer the smoke to each of the four directions.

Now lie back and very quietly reflect upon the problems you are having. Lift the problems off of your own shoulders and send them out to each of the four directions.

As you leave your place of smudging and meditation remind yourself that the problems have been sent out to each of the four directions and each solution will come to you in its time.

The Vision Quest

In traditional times Native people used the Vision Quest as a way to reach inside of the dark places in their own spirits and come to terms with the anger and resentment that had accumulated there.

The Vision Quest is a time of deep meditation and searching for direction. Alone, isolated from other people, we learn to spend time with nature, teaching us that we do not have to have human contact in order to keep us from being alone.

Mother Earth has many lessons to teach us, and it is only when we are alone and away from the distractions of modern life and other people that we can shut out the physical noise that surrounds us and open our inner ears to hear the lessons that Mother Earth has to teach us.

A Medicine Man or Native Elder can instruct you in the procedure for preparing for a Vision Quest. A Vision Quest should only be attempted under the guidance of a Medicine Man or Native Elder. Now, in modern times it is even more important that we begin to re-experience some of the traditional ways of dealing with extreme emotions.

The Pow-Wow

Ceremonial gatherings where Native people learned to get along with each other and to accept the different ways of other tribes were a part of traditional life.

In continuing these traditions we hold the Pow-Wow. In our Pow-Wow celebrations, we gather together to dance and listen to drummers and singers and share with each other the lessons of our ancestors.

It is during these celebrations that our youth learn about their culture and traditions and experience the feeling of oneness and community that comes from being with other Native youth, sharing experiences, respecting each other’s cultural practices.

Native youth learn they are not alone, but that they are part of a distinct Nation deserving of respect and honor.

Just as it is important for Native youth to learn to be alone and to meditate and draw strength from Mother Earth, it is also important for them to socialize with other Native people and to hear the teachings of Native Elders so they can understand their own place in the Native community.

Sacred Pipe Ceremony

Smoking the Sacred Pipe has always been a part of our Native culture. Originally the pipe was smoked in friendship amongst the Native peoples to create the unity that was necessary for a strong Nation.

Our nation is scattered and fragmented within urban society, and it is important that Native youth find opportunities to participate in and be a part of those ceremonies that offer them the comfort and support of their cultural traditions.

Friendship Centers, Healing Circles and Native Elders in urban communities will know where and when a Pipe Ceremony is being held, and will gladly guide the young person to one of these ceremonies.

The Healing/Sharing Circle

In traditional times members of Native tribes would gather into a Circle to discuss the needs of the tribe. Individuals with concerns would share them with the Circle, and the other members of the tribe would help the individual to work out their concerns

In modern times members of Native communities gather together into a Circle with other people from their community who are going through difficulties

Each member of the Circle helps the other members deal with the problems they are experiencing.

It is understood by all that what is shared in the Circle stays in the Circle so that everyone can feel secure that their problems and issues will not be discussed outside of the Circle.

Where to begin if you want to start your own Journey

Attend a sweat lodge ceremony

Participate in drumming or cultural dancing activities

Attend a pipe ceremony; visit a Medicine Man

Participate in a healing/sharing circle

Get involved in a cultural theatre project

Set up a schedule of creative enhancement activities

Share your feelings in a healing/sharing circle

Native counselors help youth gain pride in themselves

Smudging is a way of releasing negative emotions

A Vision Quest leads you to the root of your feelings

Native cultural group stress the unity of Native people

Knowing your cultural history brings respect

Learning cultural skills will give you confidence

Drumming is a powerful outlet for self-expression

RECIPES FROM THE GRANDMOTHERS

It is traditional for First Nation’s people to give thanks, and acknowledge our relationship, to the plants, animals, birds and creatures from the water, to show respect for their giving their spirits in order for others to survive. Traditionally elders say prayers to commemorate this sacrifice at a feast gathering. During these gatherings the people share their recipes and often demonstrate the preparation and cooking of food. Elders passed on food gathering and preparation guides to younger members of the tribe. Because of this tradition of passing on the wisdom from generation to generation, First Nation’s people became increasingly skilled in the art of drying and preparing foods, herbs and berries with each passing generation. The Medicine men and women of the tribes were gifted healers trained by generations of ancestors in the art of using the gifts of Mother Earth to heal the people of their tribes.

BUFFALO OVEN STEW

2 lbs. of buffalo meat, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 T. fat

1-1/2 T. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 cup flour

1 large onion, chopped

1 can stewed tomatoes

4 carrots, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

4 potatoes, chopped

Brown buffalo cubes and onion in fat on high heat. Reduce to simmer. Mix flour, salt, pepper and paprika sprinkle over browned meat; stir and gradually add water to form gravy. Place mixture in casserole dish. Add tomatoes, carrots, celery and potatoes and sufficient water to cover (leave room in the dish for the biscuit topping to be inside the rim of the dish). Place into baking dish, bake at 350 for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Cover with biscuit topping and return to 425 oven to brown topping.

Biscuit Topping

1-3/4 cups flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup shortening

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

Sift dry ingredients. Cut in shortening to consistency of cornmeal. Beat egg with milk. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients. Pour in milk mixture. Stir until dough binds together. Place on floured board. Pat into circle, place on top of Buffalo Stew fit to edges of pan until snug. Bake at 425 for 15 min. or until top is lightly