Lisa M. Mushall - February 7, 2007

The Lodge

On a crisp cool evening, at the end of December, I entered a Maahdodosawin, the Sweat Lodge. I humbly crawled in the lodge on my hands and knees. I greeted my Creator, grandfathers, grandmothers, and all my ancestors who walked into the spirit world before me. I said, “Boozhoo, Gitchie Manito Babamadis Migwan Ikwe indizhinikaaz. Migizi indoodem. Odaawa-zaga’iganing indoonjibaa.” “Hello, Creator my name is Traveling Feather Woman. Eagle is my clan. Lac Courte Oreilles Reserve is where I am from.” I felt the coolness of Mother Earth against my body as I entered the lodge. I smelled the burning of sage, and I immediately felt a relaxing sensation throughout my whole body. The piney-mint, freshly picked green cedar that was placed on the ground throughout the lodge pressed into my knees and the palms of my hands. I crawled in clockwise and sat in the eastern direction of the lodge.

Gwayaknoodin, Right Wind, my younger brother, entered the lodge behind me. The rest of the people followed. Niiyaandiwed, Little Snowbird, the man who poured the water, told the doorman to start bringing in the sacred items. First, Niiyaandiwed asked for his sacred Opwaagun, Pipe. Next, he called for the Dewe’igan, Drums followed by the Shiishiigwan, Shaker. The sacred items were handed in one at a time, clockwise, never crossing one sacred item over another. Then the doorman brought in the seven grandfathers, one at a time, which were heated by the sacred fire. Finally, Niiyaandiwed called for the cedar water contained in a large silver pail. After all of the sacred items and grandfathers were in the lodge, the door closed. There was total darkness except for the glowing reddish orange of the grandfathers.

The first door Niiyaandiwed honored Waabanong, the Eastern direction. He called in the Migizi, Eagle spirit, the one who carries our prayers to the Creator. Niiyaandiwed, with a gentle but firm voice asked Gwayaknoodin to sing the Eagle song. My brother cleared his throat. Then he started to sing and drum. Gwayaknoodin singing was so beautiful. It sounded sweet and sorrowful at the same time. I felt the vibration from Gwayaknoodin buffalo hide drum as he beat it with his drumstick. The energy of the drum went straight through my body and into my heart and soul. Soon my heart and the drum were beating as one. Gwayaknoodin sang the “intro”, then everyone joined in and we sang together. As we sang, Niiyaandiwed scooped the life-giving water out of the pail with a copper ladle and poured it on the heated grandfathers.

Water splashed, sizzled, and popped on the smoldering grandfathers. Ambers glowed red, they appeared to be dancing in the center of the lodge. Soon after, the lodge filled with searing steam as everyone continued to sing. Niiyaandiwed continuously poured the blood of Mother Earth onto the grandfathers. The heat and steam from the grandfathers became almost unbearable. The gritty ash smoke from the sage, sweet grass, and heat filled my mouth with every breath I took. I felt all things that were impure leave my physical body and soul. After we finished singing the Eagle song, Niiyaandiwed told the doorman to open the door of the lodge. The door opened and everyone inside sighed with relief in the fresh, clean, frosty winter air.

Seven more grandfathers were called into the lodge through the second door. Niiyaandiwed honored Zhaawanong, the Southern direction, and called in the Waawaashkeshiiwag, Mikinaakoog, Deer and Turtle spirits. We prayed for the children and asked that they may have a long life and much wisdom. Seven more grandfathers were brought into the lodge through the third door. Niiyaandiwed then honored Ningaabii’anong, the Western direction and called in the Mukwu, Bear spirit. We prayed for healing for everyone. Through the final door, seven grandfathers were again brought into the lodge. Niiyaandiwed honored Giiwedinong, the Northern direction, and he called in the Bugwajininii, Wild Man spirit. We prayed for family and ourselves. With each direction honored and each spirit called upon, the lodge became increasingly hotter.

In the lodge, I felt a sense of belonging which I had never felt before in my life. When I crawled out of the sweat lodge, I felt reborn into the world. I became cleansed of all that is impure and negative. I am thankful to the Creator that he gives me the opportunity to see the world in a new way. I am no longer fearful of the unknown. Life is a beautiful journey.