Developed By Sharon MeyerNESD FNMI Consultant September 2015

Wind- Traditional First Nation people call the air ‘wind’ within the medicine wheel. It is an element that we cannot live without.

The East gave peace and light, the South gave warmth, The West gave rain and the North, with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance….The Wind, in its greatest power whirls.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pubs/abo-aut/spirit-spiritualite-eng.htm

THE FOUR WINDSWe are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear theirvoices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. Theyhelp us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come,bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send ourgreetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.

http://www.nativewomenscentre.com/files/Traditional_Teachings_Booklet.pdf

Summer

Fall

SpringWinter

In First Nation teachings the air is named wind because air stands still but wind has and makes movement. Many of the powwow dances are based on the movement of wind:

Grass Dance:One of the first dances that prepares the powwow gathering. Traditionally a man’s danceand their role is to prepare the dance grounds for the other dancers. They make sure to flatten the grasses for the dance area and make sure the surface is free from any bumpsor holes that could create foot or ankle injuries. The fringes on the regalia represent the grass and the movement is like the wind moving the grass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeRyoHj_IQAMens Grass Dance Special, First Nations University of Canada Powwow 2011 1:48

Men’s Fancy Dance:This dance represents how the wind moves on earth. The men wear many colors in their regalia to represent the show of colors like lightening flashes, wind storms such as tornados. Many of the movements in the dance involve lots of twists and twirls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzzdnsrWC6YLumbee Spring Pow Wow 2012 Mens Fancy Dance 1:23

Women’s Fancy Dance:

Like the men’s fancy dance the women represent howthe winged ones move in the wind. They represent the butterflies and bird world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLR_OcWgGfUWomen's fancy dance 1:02

If interested in learning more about powwow dances please refer to the NESD powwow bundle and/orCurriculum corner –> Instruction –> FNMI art -> FNMIDance

The Wind has many names or is part of causes that have other names:

Wind

breeze

typoon

blizzard

puff

cyclone

Plow wind

whirlwindhurricane

chinook flurry draft

blowtornado gust

Can you think of other words that involve the wind?

Wind is helpful by:

Helping us dry clothes

Helps fly a kite

Provides wind power

Helps us to stay cool

How has wind helped you in your life?

Wind can be destructive by:

Wind galesTornado

Plow wind

Dust storm or sand storm

Hurricane

Wind can help spread wild fires

Can you think of other ways that wind can be harmful?

http://www.spiritsd.ca/learningresources/FNM%20Resources/Pre-K,%20Four%20Elements,%20Fire,%20Rock,%20Water,%20Wind.pdfPre-K Prairie School Division unit on the elements – includes the wind

Other sources about the wind:

http://www.anishinabek.ca/download/Through%20the%20Eyes%20of%20a%20Child%20-%20FN%20Enviro%20Health.pdfA document ‘Through The Eyes of a Child’ refers to environmental concerns using the elements of the medicine wheel. Ontario based but excellent reference to Mother Earth.

http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore91.htmlLegend - The Origin of the Winds

http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore101.htmlThe Warm Wind Brothers vs. The Cold Wind Brothers http://sinixtnation.org/content/coyote-meets-wind-and-some-othersCoyote Meets Wind and Some Others