THINGS TO DO

Sept. 30: Join Michael Garron Hospital for sacred fire

Michael Garron Hospital is inviting everyone to join Elder Little Brown Bear and community members as they offer a sacred fire at the Bear’s Den All Nations Traditional Medicine Sweat Lodge on hospital grounds on Sept. 30.

The event to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will take place from sunrise to sunset.

You can drop by the sacred fire any time during the day, though pipe ceremonies will take place four times during the day: 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.

For Indigenous people a sacred fire is a practice considered to be a spiritual doorway to communicate with ancestors in the spirit realm, allowing one to heal, feel grounded, and connect with community. A firekeeper maintains and tends to the fire.

Traditional medicines will be available for those who wish to send prayers through the sacred fire.

Elder Little Brown Bear will also cut and supply 1,000 pieces of orange cloth for community members to tie to the Sweat Lodge or fence to acknowledge the unmarked graves of those children recovered on the properties of Indian Residential Schools.

Attendees can also take the opportunity to sign the hospital’s pledge board on-site at the Bear’s Den All Nations Traditional Medicine Sweat Lodge or contribute a virtual pledge by sharing an act of commitment to Truth and Reconciliation on social media using the hashtag #OrangeShirtDay and tag @MGHToronto on Twitter.