Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

As Mother Earth awakens the people prepare to plant the seeds given to us by the

Creator. The Faithkeepers will call a meeting to set the ceremony. The Chiefs and Clan Mothers are invited to come as well as all the other Faithkeepers. A man will open the proceedings with Ohenton Karihwatehkwen after which all the Faithkeepers will gather to one side and set the date of the Seed Ceremony.

A male Faithkeeper will be chosen to enlighten the Chiefs and Clan Mothers of the date chosen. The Chiefs and Clan Mothers will deliberate as to wether this is a good date or not. If it isn’t a good time to have the ceremony then the Faithkeepers will find one that is acceptable. Once the date has been accepted the Faithkeeper will set the ceremony.

The man will start by saying the time has come to prepare our gardens. People will gather at the long house and bring their seeds so they can pass through the ceremony. The man will say that Peach Stone Game will be played to determine who will be planting our gardens and how well they will turn out. The man will tell what dances will be heard and what kind of food the people will bring to eat.

The following dances will be heard on that day provided there is time after Peach Bowl

• The Great Feather Dance

• The Thanksgiving Dance

• The Women’s Dance

The following food items will be needed to feed the people.

• Washed Corn for soup

• Fried bread or biscuits or cookies

• Strawberries for drink.

ON THE DAY OF THE SEED CEREMONY

When all the people have gathered a man from the wolf side of the long house will ask if there is anyone who can enlighten the people on what is to happen today and how the ceremony will be run. A man from the bear side of the long house will stand and say yes we have someone who can tell the people what will happen and announce the man’s name. If they can’t find anyone to tell what will happen then the task will be returned to the opposite side of the house to make known the proceeding of the ceremony.

The elder will start by saying a man will be chosen to open the proceedings. A man and woman will be picked to gather all the seeds and bundle them together and place them on benches by the men’s stove. There will be a table and four chairs in the middle of the floor. The Peach Bowl will be played and a certain number of KAHEN:TAS will be announced. A man and woman from each side will be picked to sit in the center of the long house and witness the playing of the Peach Stone Game. At this ceremony the Peach Stone Game is played men against the women.

It is a time of great happiness for the Creator and for our people. It is said that if the women win, the gardens will be plentiful. However if the men win, people have to work very hard to have plentiful gardens. Our people are very humorous and like to tease but when it comes time to plant everyone helps.

Once the game is done the men who will do the singing will be announced and just as soon as they are ready the people will dance the Great Feather Dance. Depending on the amount of time left, the Thanksgiving Dance and the Women’s Dance will also be heard.

The men who will pass out the food will be announced once all the dancing is done. The men will do the soup, drink, and bread once the announcing is done and people will eat. The closing will be said after all have eaten.