Bringing Ceremonies to the Youth: Turtle Lodge Dave Courchene Jr.

"Built in 2002 based on a vision received, the Turtle Lodge is founded upon spiritual, land-based teachings that bring balance to life. It has been built for our children ~ the center of our lives. Our fundamental goal is Mino-Pi-Mati-Si-Win – A Good and Peaceful Way of Life. The Turtle Lodge is based on the Seven Sacred Laws and the Eight Paths of the Medicine Wheel, the ancient universal values of the Anishnabe People of Turtle Island (North America).

The Turtle Lodge offers Children, Youth, Adults and Elders the opportunity to come together in a sacred environment for:

• Traditional teachings
• Ceremony
• Healing
• The sharing of Indigenous perspectives on how to have a good and peaceful life.

The Turtle Lodge is a place for sharing our universal and ancient knowledge, and also, a place for sharing among people of all races and nations."

David Courchene  (Nii Gaani Aki Innini – Leading Earth Man)
Anishnabe Nation, Eagle Clan (Manitoba, Canada) 


"Dave Courchene - Nii Gaani Aki Innini (Leading Earth Man) has travelled internationally, carrying a message of hope and peace.  Dave shares ancient Indigenous knowledge that he believes can act as the foundation in supporting the New Life that Mother Earth is now entering, and that the Elders have confirmed has arrived.

He has created a special place for sharing ancient Indigenous knowledge - the Turtle Lodge - built based on a vision he received many years ago. Indigenous people have always relied on visions and dreams to give guidance and direction in life.

Dave was recently honoured by Indigenous leaders and Elders at the 2010 International Indigenous Leadership Gathering for the work associated with his message and vision, including the work he has done inspiring young people.  His recent work has involved initiating International Roundtables Supporting Ancient Indigenous Knowledge at the Turtle Lodge (May 2010) and the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC (September 2010), which have been co-led by US Congressman Dennis Kucinich. He delivered the Opening Keynote and conducted the Opening Ceremonies at the 2010 G8 Summit on World Religions.  In the Spring of 2011, Dave will be initiating Makoose Ka Win and the Vision Quest rites of passage to take young people of all cultures entering adulthood back to the land and the Elders to find their uniqueness and promote peace."
 Taken from the Turtle Lodge Web site: http://theturtlelodge.org/index.html
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Dave will be holding the Makoose Ka Win and the Vision Quest this coming June 10 to June 14, 2011 in Sagkeeng, Manitoba. The ceremony will be a Right of Passage for the young woman and man.

This is something that our community (the Indian community) truly needs. For years the act of "killing the Indian" through main stream government policies and institutionalized religion has been practiced  on the Aboriginal community. It is because of Dave and other Teachers, and Elders that Indian people are still able to feel good about who they are. This ceremony and gathering is something that I hope the youth will embrace.

Good for you Dave and keep up the journey.