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Have questions or need additional information? Find answers here!

FAQs

What should we bring when coming to a circle?

Most circles held will have instructions on what to bring with you (if anything is necessary) but it is also recommended to bring an offering of tobacco for the circle facilitator and fire keepers. Most importantly, come with a sober mind and open heart. Please abstain from any substance usage before attending.

What does “all nations” mean?

All Nations means that regardless of your cultural background, whether you are Indigenous or non-Indigenous, you are welcome to attend CSL events and programming. The healing we offer will always be accessible to community members.

What is a bundle?

A bundle is a collection of sacred items that an Indigenous person may carry. Bundles are sacred and each item within them carries significant meaning to an individual. Because bundles are sacred, do not touch or photograph a bundle without permission.

What is a feast bundle?

A feast bundle is made up of a plate or bowl, cutlery, a cup, and often a bag to carry these items in. Generally, these are brought when you are attending meals, after a sweat ceremony or joining into community events that involve food.

 

What should I bring to a sweat lodge ceremony?

For all information around sweat lodge ceremony and what to bring, feel free to use download our PDF at the end of this page.

 

Are the lodges wheelchair accessible?

Some wheelchairs may be able to navigate the land site's terrain but due to the uneven ground at the sites, not all chairs will be able to.  Should you wish to inquire about an accessible ceremony or meeting with one of our staff, feel free to reach out via email and we would be happy to work on accommodating your needs.

 

Where is Crow Shield Lodge located?

Crow Shield Lodge operates out of three land-sites, and two indoor lodging facilities. When signing up, the details on where to find each site will be included in event descriptions.

 

1044 Christner Road, New Hamburg, ON
N3A 3K6

10 Huron Rd, Kitchener, ON N2P 2R7

3738 Hessen Strasse, St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0

101 David Street, Kitchener, ON N2G 1Y1

69 Stirling Ave N, Kitchener, ON N2H 3G4

Additional Information

Moon Time

Moon time (menstruation cycle) is a time of personal ceremony for women. During moon time, bodies are producing their own medicine for healing and cleansing; traditionally, people with menstrual cycles would spend their moon time alone as it is such a powerful form of medicine. Moon time medicine is incredibly potent, and can actually cause harm to others who are trying to heal through ceremonies like sweat lodge or fasting.

 

We ask that any persons with menstrual cycles please respect this teaching and not attend CSL events during your moon time, and that you use that time to reconnect with your body and spirit in a good way. 

Tobacco Ties

One of the four sacred medicines used widely by many First Nations across Turtle Island, semaa (tobacco) is used as an offering in many situations such as prayer or requesting services from an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or other Indigenous community members. When receiving teachings or attending lodge, it is important to show respect by bringing a tobacco tie with you.

 

To learn to how to tie a tobacco tie, download our PDF at the end of the page.

Accessing Tobacco

Ceremonial tobacco, like other sacred medicines, can be received through trade for other goods of purpose or sometimes purchased on a reservation. It is best to source tobacco from somewhere it is grown traditionally.  If you are unsure where to access traditionally grown tobacco, loose-leaf tobacco such as pipe tobacco is perfectly acceptable- this can be found at any local tobacco retailer. Being in an urban area, we understand that these sacred medicines aren’t always accessible, which is why we always remind lodge attendees that it is about the intention when giving tobacco, and not necessarily about where you accessed it from.

Photography

When attending Crow Shield Lodge land sites, we ask that no photography of the sweat lodge, ceremony or sacred fires be taken when visiting. While we appreciate seeing the photos of community members enjoying their time on the land, it is important to our traditional teachings that this is respected.  If you are ever unsure please ask the Elder, facilitator or CSL staff person on site.

Support Service Animals

We do not allow animals out on the land sites. While we understand that this may cause limitations to those who wish to attend our programming, it is an important part of ceremonial practices that should be adhered to. To discuss this particular protocol further, feel free to reach out to our team and we will be happy to elaborate.

Support Community Year-Round

Throughout the year,  we often see questions of whether or not it is appropriate to wear Every Child Matters shirts after September 30th. The answer to that question is a resounding yes - wear them all year long if you choose to! By wearing the shirts outside of a day of significance, you show that you’re taking a small step toward personal reconciliation.

 

Another question we see is “What else can we do?”.

The way to answer that is to continue on your own personal path of reconciliation and healing. This can look different to many people, but it starts with understanding.

 

Our team has compiled a list of resources for you to explore and a list of local Indigenous organizations that work to provide cultural connections for the Indigenous community members and pathways to building a healed community.

 

 

Food Banks

Emergency Food Programs

Cambridge Self Help Food Bank 

Food Bank of Waterloo Region

It is important to uplift Indigenous voices through film, television and print. In addition, viewing and reading books written in a different lens can also help to broaden your understanding and knowledge on both Indigenous history and cultures.

Local Community Organizations and Support Services

Mental Health Resources

  • 21 Things You may not know about the Indian Act - Bob Joseph

  • Unreconciled -Jesse Went

  • Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer

  • Five Little Indians - Michelle Good

  • North Wind Man - Clarence Cachagee and Seth Ratzlaff

  • Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day - Kaitlin Curtice

  • It was never going to be okay - Jaye Simpson

  • Indian Horse

  • We Were Children

  • Reservation Dogs

  • Frybread Face and Me 

  • Smoke Signals

  • Little Bird

Books to read

Films/Television to watch:

How to Tobacco Tie:

Resources about Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Indian Residential School Survivors, Sixties Scoop, and the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons:

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Witness Blanket

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

PDF DOWNLOADS:

Sweat Lodge Info:

 

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at the contact information below!​

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