My spirit name is Maheehkan, Wolf in my traditional language, Cree.
By Michael J Paul-Martin
My spirit name is Maheehkan, Wolf in my traditional language, Cree. I carry a sacred bundle, a Mikiso Wing, an Eagle Wing. I carry a Mikiso Pipe, an Eagle Pipe.My clan is Muskwa, the Bear. I was born in Atisawiyanihk, The Tan Hide Place in my mother’s father’s traditional territory. I carry a heavy load for my people, on behalf of my people. I am a writer, in both Cree and English. I speak Cree fluently, and I read and write Cree syllabics. I have a BA in English Literature from Southern Alberta, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot. I won an Achievement Award at the Aboriginal creative writing school, the En’owkin International School of Writing in Penticton BC. I have supporters in both the Native and non-Native communities in Toronto, in fact right across the country, wherever I have traveled. I have volunteered for many years. I have successfully completed a leadership training program at St. Christopher House in west side Toronto. I respect myself. I am respected among the Mashkegowuk, the Muskeg People -- my people. I come from the west coast of James Bay, the traditional muskeg and salt waters of Northern Ontario. I am a dreamer, a poet. I am an artist, a social activist. For many years I worked with the elders, the trappers, the hunters, the parents – in a traditional land use and occupancy study, an intensive fieldwork and survey. I helped the Mashkegowuk in the beginning development and formation of a ground-breaking mega resource development and extraction policy. The Creator talks to me. Mother Earth talks to me. My ancestors are with me. All the creatures talk to me, they are all around me. I continue to pray, to Mother Earth, I feel her pain. I pray to my Grandfathers and Grandmothers, to the Fire and Water Spirits, and to the Clouds and the Wind, to all heavenly Spirits of the Skies. I have survived, not only the severe dysfunction of my family, my community, my tribe – but I also survived 12 years of residential school, where I entered as an orphan at the age of 3. I have confronted my sexual abuse issue, and have dwelt with my deep shame, my anger, and my resentments. I am a younger brother, an older brother, an uncle, a father, a relative, a cousin, a friend, and a healer and a seer. I have been a social worker, both at home and in the city. I believe in myself, and what I say counts. I carry myself beautifully, and in a sacred manner. I am proud. I stand proud, with my head up. I walk proud. I have pride in my people, The Mashkegowuk, The People of the Muskeg. I carry a sacred hand drum. I pray with it, sing with it. I dance because of it. I rejoice with the sacred hand drum. I am responsible --I have self-government, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency. I believe – in humour. I conduct ceremonies and rituals. I am a fire keeper. I conduct Sweat Lodge ceremonies, Pipe ceremonies, and Community Circles. I pray in Cree. I pray in English. I burn sweetgrass and sage. I offer cedar and tobacco. I light the candle. I ask for forgiveness. I practice tolerance. Years from now, when I am ready to go to the Spirit world, I will do so with dignity, with no regrets to have lived the life given to me by my Creator. I have humility. I have courage. I have vision. And I have wisdom.
