This is the story
of Meesingw
In order to truly
understand ourselves and our relationship to the environment, we have to walk
our understanding back to creation – to the time when we, Lunaape (human
beings) were created = back to the time when we made our first treaty with
creation.
It is said that
everything in creation was here prior to human beings coming into this
world. All the ayayasak (animals), awehlahooshak (birds), axkookusak
(insects), mihtukwak (trees), miixuskwal (grasses), nameesak (fish) – all of
nature was here before human beings and they all lived in harmony with each
other. They understood their relationships and relied on their
interdependence on each other to live in beauty.
There came a time
when Kiisheelumukweengw (Creator) called a Great Council of creation
together. It is believed that all of creation lives in families just as
humans do and each family of creation has their own chiefs – the birds have
chiefs, the fish have chiefs and so on and so on. This Great Council that
was called consisted of the chiefs of everything in creation. At this
meeting of chiefs, Kiisheelumukweengw told of his vision to create Lunaape
(human beings).
Kiisheelumukweengw
explained to the chiefs that these human beings that he/she was going to create
were going to be very pitiful – that they were going to be dependent on the
rest of the family of creation for everything. They were going to need
food, heat, clothing, shelter and medicine just to survive. Creator
also said that the human beings also needed to be shown by the animals -
teachings on how to treat and support one another.
After the Great
Council completed - the chiefs returned to their homes they discussed the
Creator’s vision of Lunaape coming to creation. As they met with each
other – it was the animals that became concerned with the fact that these new
human beings were going to come and just take and take and take. The
animals knew it was going to be a huge sacrifice. It was going – in fact
to be their own family members that were going to have to offer their lives in
order for human beings to exist.
With this concern
in mind the animals came together and collectively decided that it wasn’t such
a great idea for humans to come into creation – especially if they were just going
to take and take and take. The animals decided that they should go to
Kiisheelumukweengw and tell him/her that they didn’t think it was a good idea
for Lunaape to come into creation and that he/she should rethink his/her vision
to bring human beings into creation.
But who was it that
they should send to Kiisheelumukweengw to deliver their message. The
animals looked at each other and no one wanted to question the Creator.
So it was finally decided that the animals should ask the most respected warrior
that they had – Meesingw.
There is no English
translation for the word Meesingw – the closest we have to compare in todays
worldview is what people call the Bigfoot. Meesingw is a spiritual being
known as the keeper of the animals – their protector – the one who looks out
for them. Meesingw is a giant – some say Meesingw is a bear/human like
being. Our representation of Meesingw is a red and black mask we use in
our ceremonies.
Meesingw accepted
the request of the animals to go speak to the creator and so he travelled to
the place of the creator. When Meesingw got to the Creator he told
Kiisheelumukweengw of the animals concern for their families and explained that
the animals believed in was not a good idea for Lunaape (human beings) to come
into creation – that creation didn’t need them – it was fine without them.
Kiisheelumukweengw
understood their concerns but did not agree that he should go against his
vision to create human beings. Meesingw pleated with the Creator to
change her/his mind. Kiisheelumukweengw said to the Meesingw – Do you
think that you can do my job – that you should be Creator. Meesingw
seeing no other way to convince Creator said yes if that’s what it takes I can
do your job.
Kiisheelumukweengw
said to Meesingw – if you can prove to me you have the trust of Creation to do
my job – you can do it. Meesingw said how do I prove that to you.
Kiisheelumukweengw said – Do you see those mountains over there – They are the
oldest relatives that you have in creation – They have been here the longest –
if you can convince them to move one inch you can have my job.
Meesingw turned to
the numoxoomusak (grandfathers) and began to pray to them. Meesingw
danced and sang songs – Meesingw pleated with them – he begged them to move –
but they would not. Exhausted he turned to the Kiisheelumukweengw and
said I cannot get them to move. Kiisheelumukweengw said to Meesingw –
Turn around and look at your grandfathers.
When Meesingw
turned around the mountains instantly travelled forwarded right into Meesingw’s
face – flattening it – which is why it is flat today. Meesingw knew at
that moment that the Creator’s vision of Lunaape coming into creation was what
was meant to be. Kiisheelumukweengw at that time ensured Meesingw that
Lunaape (human beings) would be given instructions so that they would always
understand the sacrifice that animals – that all in creation would be giving
for their existence.
Once human beings
were created Kiisheelumukweengw called a Great Council of Creation again.
At this council each Chief from the different families stepped forward and
committed their future generations as gifts to human beings from that time
forth forever. Each chief stepped forward and explained what food,
medicine or other type gift their family had to offer the Lunaape.
Kiisheelumukweengw
then explained that Lunaape should honour that relationship and always teach in
celebration their future generations to remember the importance of everything
in creation. This is why the Lunaape Bighouse – our ceremonial lodge
exists. It is a lodge where Lunaape gather to celebrate life through
teachings, dance and songs of creation. The Bighouse represents creation
in is form with 12 Meesingw masks outlining the different moons and realms of
creation.
Because of Meesingw
– Lunaape entered into this first treaty with creation. This treaty
outlined the four laws of the Lunaape – Kindness, Honesty, Respect and Sharing.
Lunaape are to follow these laws in all of their relationships with the many
families of creation. In October the time of harvest – the Lunaape hold
their Gaamwing Ceremony – a 12-day ceremony during the full moon inside their
Bighouse lodge.
Bighouse lodges are
just being reestablished in Lunaape communities’ across Turtle Island.
Due to colonization, these lodges have not existed for almost 100 years – but
now are being revitalized by some Lunaape families.
We have chosen to
name our environmental organization in honour of Meesingw to remind us in our
organizations work to remember our ancestor’s original instructions from
Kiisheelumukweenw and the Natural Laws of Creation that govern our
responsibilities and interdependence within it.