13th Grandmother Moon Lodge's Annual Women's Gathering

June 27, 28, 29, 2008
It’s going to be another powerful gathering with 13 Grandmothers coming in the 13th year of Grandmother Moon Lodge!

Location: Grandmother Moon Lodge in St. Laurent, MB
Description: To celebrate the 13 YEARS women have gathered here at Grandmother Moon Lodge, we have brought together 13 GRANDMOTHERS to lead us on this healing journey through their teachings and stories from their own life’s experiences. Our families and communities are waiting for us to carry the wisdom of these grandmothers home. Our children need us. From our belly, to our breast, to our arms, to our eyes; they need our guidance and strength to give them their rootedness in the Earth Mother and Creator until they feel and believe it for themselves.

For more information: Grandmother Moon Lodge phone us at (204) 646-4053, or email us at grandml@mts.net
Registration Form

The Circle of Life Thunderbird House was designed by world renowned architect, Douglas Cardinal, OC. His design is reflective of the thoughts and wishes of the Aboriginal community of the City of Winnipeg. The design is reflective of the traditional forms of lodge types used by the aboriginal people of this area. It is round and tipi shaped with the head and wings of a Thunderbird embracing all who enter the ceremonial space inside. Please feel free to browse this site and learn more about the Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic.

The birth and delivery of the concept of the Circle of Life Thunderbird House was borne from a meeting of an Elders Council with Architect Douglas Cardinal in 1998 at the Aboriginal Centre. At this meeting, Mr. Cardinal conferred with the Council as to what this building might look like and after a full day of discussions and consultation, Mr. Cardinal submitted his concept of their discussions and consultation two weeks later with a model of what this building might look like. This was presented to the community in the Rotunda of the Aboriginal Centre by Mr. Cardinal. The concept and model were enthusiastically accepted by those gathered, of which there were no fewer than 300 people present.

While the Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic was designed to fulfill the needs of the aboriginal community it has evolved to be more than that. The grounds were consecrated by Elder, Linda Blomme, prior to beginning of construction. On at least four occasions during construction, the building and materials used to construct the building were blessed by other Elders from the community. The building also got its name through a sacred Naming Ceremony conducted by Elder, Mark Thompson on December 8, 1998 in the Aboriginal Centre. This was after the concept was accepted by the community and before construction started. As well, before each pile was put into the ground, tobacco was offered and placed in each hole to further bless the building. This is why the Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic is considered sacred and a requirement to have your shoes removed or covered when entering the Ceremonial space.

The Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic features four doorways representing all four people of the world by the colors of each doorway. North represents White, East represents Yellow, South represents Black and West represents Red. These are the four people of the world. There are no others. There is a blending of all these people and all are accepted.

This is why the Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic belongs to all people and is made accessible to all for their sacred gatherings and ceremonies. Our responsibility is to maintain the integrity and sanctity of the Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic. This means we are the caretakers of this sacred building. We need to support the Whaka Pimadiziiwii Pinaysiiwigamic to protect our inheritance of the knowledge and sacred teachings of our people. We have a sacred trust to share our knowledge with all people as given to us through our forefathers’ prophecies. We hold a knowledge and wisdom handed down to us to share with those who seek kindness, caring, sharing and truth: our four guiding principles.