What does Tasewaang mean to you? It means something different for everyone; it is personal. Whether you come from down by the river or up the hill in Sagamok, Tasewaang is a ceremony held every year between October 30 and November 1, to recall loved ones who have gone on to the spirit world. Family, friends and relatives are invited to share in a feast held for the recalled loved one. A handmade wreath made from Princess pine, cedar, and red willow and decorated with flowers, is also a traditional part of this special ceremony. Michael Abitong, Carol Bob, Gordon and Steven Bennett, Education Department staff members, provided knowledge and information on the teachings of Taasewaang within their instruction both in the classroom and during the land-based learning with students. This story represents some of the knowledge they shared, as well as what staff and students of Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik did to learn more about this Anishinaabe Aadziwin custom.
Traditionally, wild game and food harvested from the land, as well as favourite foods loved ones enjoyed during their life - maybe chocolate or Chinese food for example - are served to the guests who have come together to recall stories and memories. A small portion of this food is reserved to offer to the loved one in the spirit world through a sacred fire, to give them strength. It is sustenance for them to continue guiding and protecting those in this world. Michael Abitong, Land-Based Learning Coordinator for Biidaaban, noted that the tradition of the foods is important to Tasewaang because “the feast is to feed the ones on the other side with the foods they enjoyed here and for them to enjoy those same foods in the spiritual world.” Michael added, “This food, along with tobacco, is offered to the sacred fire, and this creates smoke and aromas from here that get carried to the spirit world to let our loved ones know we are thinking of them. Fire is a visible sign to those in the spirit world to come back here to join us, their family, and friends, as memories and stories are shared about the good things they brought to our life. It is an act of honouring all that we think of them and love about them; about remembering their presence here and never forgetting them and how they contributed positively to our life and community.”
Carol, Anishinaabemowin Language Teacher for Biidaaban, also shared knowledge of the tradition. “Some may have feelings of missing their loved one, questions about the spirit world, and might be struggling dealing with grief, or loneliness - not understanding where or why they have gone. The ceremony of Tasewaang helps us to heal ourselves in by valuing their love and meaning to us and feeling the presence of our loved one more intensely around us by doing all these actions,” Carol shared.
Michael, along with senior students from Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik, gathered red willow, princess pine, and cedar boughs from nearby bushland. This supported learning about the traditional plant life used to make wreaths for Tasewaang, as well as how and where to harvest it in a respectful and responsible way. They offered tobacco and gave thanks to Creator for the boughs harvested. The boughs weresmudged prior to children using them to create the wreaths. The tradition of wreathmaking, learning the processes, listening to those sharing knowledge about the tradition, and experiencing teachings about Tasewaang happened at every grade level in Biidaaban from October 23rd to the 30th. On October 30th,the school’s students and staff travelled by bus to the Old Cemetery to lay their wreaths and participate in Tasewaang ceremony together.
Shkode (Fire) was burning warmly, inviting everyone together in a circle for the Tasewaang ceremony. Miigwech to Michael for being the Fire Keeper for this gathering. The Niiwin kchi mshkikiin (four medicines)- semaa (tobacco), giischkaandak (cedar), mshkodewashk (sage), and wiingashk (sweetgrass) - were placed in front of the fire. As the buses arrived, the cemetery was suddenly alive with children and teachers moving about with intention, seeking to locate the gravestone of their family member or friend. Students from every grade had created handmade wreaths, each unique in design and appearance. Some were round, others oblong. There were small wreaths and larger ones, creations with a long red willow branch attached to the side making a sort of hand hold for carrying and a prop stand to offer the wreath support and make it stand upright when placed on the ground. The wreaths were decorated with brightly coloured silk flowers, streamers of ribbon or lace, sparkly items, or anything the maker was inspired to include.
The ceremony was an opportunity for all present to recall their loved one who had gone on to the spirit world; the world after one passes away and leaves this one. Following the opening drumming and song by Mr. Jason Solomon, Carol shared emotion-filled prayers and thoughts with the group about the relevance of the gathering for this traditionally acknowledged feast day. As she held the bowl of tobacco out, everyone was invited to take some, pass by the fire, one by one, offering their semaa (tobacco)and intentions to the fire, and to then go and place their wreath in remembrance and honour of what their loved one meant to them and brought to their life.
Tasewaang – a spiritual journey of healing and remembrance for those of us here and those of us who have travelled on. The discussion that took place at the school and at the old cemetary helped to bring the school community together to understand the meaning behind Tasewaang ceremony, to be involved in it personally by creating wreaths, and to have the space to open up and share their personal story with teachers and peers through the learning and discussion opportunities. Biidaaban’s staff having organized this day of recognition and week of wreath making and learning space, allowed students to discover another of their traditional ceremonial gatherings, the relevance behind it, and to connect with themselves and their community to encourage healing and self-identity.
