Thunderbirds

Just as the waters of St. Mary's River in Baawaating were once rushing rapids, so too were there once people who walked with lightning in their eyes. Whenever they looked at the people, they would kill them with a strike, and so they were asked to cover their faces. Even so, there were moments when their lightning escaped, and so they were asked to return to the waters. They did so to protect the people, and, from the waters they merged with, emerged all the many birds. 

The thunderers remained looking over the people from the skies where they formed into storms to bring life. Sometimes, you can see their wings in the clouds or their talons in the lightning. Veterans who have protected Turtle Island say you can see them by honing your peripheral vision.

For generations, the thunderers brought forth rain and fires that renewed the lands and the waters for the plants, the animals, the fish. However, the unsatisfiable greed of another people brought about such vast changes to the lands and the waters that the people cried out for the return of the thunderbird people and their searing lightning.

And so they walked among the people again, through the people, in their hearts, in their eyes, in their voices, in their songs, and in their motion.

Reflection
Listen to stories about thunderbirds and then reflect on your own or with a community.

• What teachings are related to thunderbirds?
• What is the meaning of thunderbirds to you?
• How do you imagine thunderbirds look and sound?

Toxins

Just as there are many forms of people, so too are there many forms of snakes. There are those which the people put out tobacco for and those which we are to be mindful of.

As we were warned, there would be a generation when there would come to be a snake that would threaten to swallow us whole, a snake with a hunger which could never be satisfied, brought forth from under Grandfather Rocks by the grabbing hands of another people. 

The women, they would hold the ground, and with their songs and good intentions would care for the waters just as the waters care for us, bringing forth a gathering of those who walk as lightning.

Reflection
Learn about Enbridge pipelines and alternative energy sources, then reflect on your own or with a community.

• What are the risks posed by pipelines?
• What are alternatives to oil?
• What do you imagine a future that is not reliant on oil looks like?

Tar Sands

Reflection
Learn about the Alberta tar sands and then reflect on your own or with a community.

• What are the risks posed by the Alberta tar sands?
• What steps need to be made to renew the lands, waters, and air?
• What do you imagine a future where the Alberta tar sands are healed looks like?

Prairies

Reflection
Learn about the oil spill in the prairies and then reflect on your own or with a community.

• What is the current state of pipelines in Saskatchewan?
• What are the risks posed by pipelines running through Saskatchewan?
• What do you imagine in a future where there are no pipelines in the prairies?

Great Lakes

Reflection
Learn about Line 5 under the Mackinac Bridge, inform yourself about the risks, be aware of Indigenous comments, and then reflect on your own or with a community.

• How would an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac impact the Great Lakes?
• What can be done to request the removal of Line 5 under the Mackinac Bridge?
• What does a future without pipelines in the Great Lakes look like?

Call to Action

Regardless of where you are and what level of involvement works for you, there are many ways you can help protect the Great Lakes from further harm. Importantly, several Michigan communities and tribes have passed a resolution to stop the flow of oil through Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. You can contribute by taking action too.

Reflection
Take action and then reflect on your own or with a community.

• What form(s) of action did you take to protect the Great Lakes?
• What was your experience?
• How do you feel your action contributed to protecting the Great Lakes?