Ceremony is a major part of Wolastoqey life. Ancestors/Elders teach us that each ceremony opens a door to the spiritual world. There are many ceremonies practiced by ancestors in the past and traditionalists in the present. This lesson describes a few ceremonies which will help you to understand our spiritual worldview and, also learn Wolastoqey concepts and protocols related to ceremony. Go Learn! (Natakehkims).
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​Language of Ceremony audio


Nkisi Tehc / Can Do's

Upon completion of this lesson,

Tpostomun Latuwewakon/ Listening to Wolastoqey
 
  • I can learn how to smudge by listening to story
  • I can hear and recognize vocabulary for some body parts as I smudge
 
Wolastoqewatu/ Speaking Wolastoqey
 
  • I can name sacred medicines used in smudging
  • I can tell others about smudging in the language
 
Okitomon Latuwewakon/Reading Wolastoqey
 
  • I can read the text describing ceremonies
  • I can recognize written words and sentences
 
Wikhomon Latuwewakon/ Writing Wolastoqey
 
  • I can write body parts in Wolastoqey
  • I can write about ceremonies

Wolas-Talk lesson aid

Download Wolas-Talk
Use the web version of Wolas-Talk below by tapping Learn Wolastoqey, and select this lesson from the list.

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the Wolastoq Language and Culture Center is located on the traditional unceded and unsurrendered territory of Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet). This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Wolastoqey title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

"We are directed by the government to tell you that the English have no design to take your country or any of your lands from you: or to deprive you of any of your just Rights or Privileges"
(November, 1720, English Treaty Commissioner).

Note: The treaty Commissioners were appointed by the British Crown to negotiate treaties with Wabanaki nations in the 1700s. The Wabanaki nations included the Wolastoqiyik, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscots.
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