Nanaboozhoo (Greetings in the Name of Ojibwe First Teacher)!
Through research of the Seasonal Pedagogy and the Memory Teaching Bundle, Dr. Gokoomis (Grandmother) Jacque shared memories of a Gokoomis Wiigiwaam (Grandmother Lodge/Bush Shelter) built in the 1940s behind her family cabin at the edge of the bush, just past the border of Shawanaga First Nation.
The Gokoomis Wiigiwaam was built following the Sacred Circle of the Four Directions (East, South, West, North), the Four Seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), the Four Races of Human Beings (Asian Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, Black Peoples, White Peoples), and the Four Sacred Medicines beginning with Asemaa Nitam (Sacred Tobacco First). The 13 Poles connect to the 13 Moons of the Anishinaabe Seasonal Calendar.
These first teachings connect back to Nanaboozhoo (Ojibwe First Teacher), his Gokoomis (Grandmother), and the Wiigiwaam they shared at the beginning of his time on Doodoom Aki (Mother Earth) which you can read more about in The Mishomis Book: Voice of the Ojibway by Edward Benton-Benai.
When Gokoomis Jacque was about 7 years old, her Gokoomisag (Grandmothers) took her to support the Mishomisag (Grandfathers) who would come to the edge of the bush on the north shore of Magnetewan River. It was there that they built a Mishomis Wiigiwaam (Grandfather Lodge/Bush Shelter) which was a half wiigiwaam with the entire Eastern Doorway open to Mishomis Giizis (Grandfather Sun) and the Seven Grandfather Teachings (Wisdom, Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility, Truth).
When the Old Bush Teachings or Chi Gete Inaakonigewin (Very Old Anishinaabe Law) of the Gokoomis Wiigiwaam and the Mishomis Wiigiwaam are brought together they create a Metigwaake G’kinoo’amaagegegamik (Bush Teaching Lodge) where all the Teachings of the Four Directions, Thirteen Moons, Seven Grandfather Teachings, Seven Fires, Seven Stages of Life Healing Lodge (etc.) are present.
Gichi Miigwech (A Great Big Thank You)!