Time To SUNDANCE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dXifXFwOHY

It is interesting how someone's loss gets you thinking of your own loss.

Today the community of Swan Lake First Nation lost a good person. Elder Joe Esquash had his funeral service today.

JOSEPH ESQUASH

JOSEPH ESQUASH Beeshegogun (One Feather) Peacefully, at the Notre Dame Foyer, on Saturday, June 6, 2015, Joseph Esquash, of Swan Lake First Nation, passed away at the age of 91 years. Joseph leaves to mourn his children, James (Flo), Gerald (Linda), Charlotte, Yvonne and Dorothea (James); 20 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; one sister Francis (Charlie Montagne), one sister-in-law Vina Swain; one brother-in-law John Swain (Theresa); two sons-in-law, Elvis and Lionel, and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and relatives in Canada and the USA. He was predeceased by his wife Rose-Marie (nee Swain) in 1967; his parents, Louis and Sophia (nee Walker); nine siblings, Elizabeth (Gilbert), Charlie (Mabel), Mary (Frank), George (Edna), Theresa (Tom), Lena (Gordon), Agnes, Alice and Alexandra (Tony); one son-in-law Ernest Daniels, Sr. A Traditional Wake will be held at the Swan Lake First Nation Hall on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 4:00 p.m with David Blacksmith officiating. A Traditional Feast will be held at the Swan Lake First Nation Hall on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 12:00 noon. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Mariapolis Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. with Father Armand Le Gal officiating. Interment to follow in the Mariapolis Parish Cemetery. Grandpa Joe was a sundance teacher to Spruce Woods Sundance Family. As well as Matheson, Chisasibi, Whapmagoostui, Moose Factory, Merritt, East Main, God's Lake, Grand Rapids, Norway House, Roseau River and Henvey Inlet Sundances. Our grandfather received the Horse Ceremony when he was eight years old and he was a singer at many sundances in Canada and the USA. All his life he carried the songs of our ancestors and shared his teachings.


The Sundance Ceremony that the Old Man passed on to many is starting tomorrow in Spruce Woods, Spirit Sands Manitoba. This is where Joe taught it to his Grandchildren and his friend David Blacksmith.

This Lodge has traveled to many places and it is through that Lodge many people seek comfort, healing, guidance, prayer for their people.

My Girl will be dancing.