I met her at the annual Wabun Youth Gathering where she was providing teachings on the dream catcher.

This summer I learned much about dream catchers from Marcia Martel-Brown of Brunswick House First Nation. My elders have been able to tell me something about those days but most of my learning has come from traditional elders, healers, medicine men and people who have a more intricate knowledge of the ancestors. It was surprising to me that we had a spiritual way, culture and traditions before the coming of the European. I did not really understand when I was young that it had not always been that way. The missionaries had brought this belief to the people of the James Bay coast and to Native people right across North and South America. We were brought up with a spiritual belief that was really more religious and based on the Roman Catholic faith. When I was growing up in Attawapiskat I rarely had the opportunity to learn about Native culture and traditions.

I always learn so much when my walk leads to someone with a lot of knowledge about my people and their traditions and culture. I was lucky to meet some very interesting traditional First Nation people this summer.

First person dream catcher