Walking Out, Winds, and Elders’ Wisdom

Sat, Aug 31

A group of three people seated at a table under a large tent, holding a religious mass. A man in a plaid shirt reads from a book into a microphone, while the woman next to him, wearing a vibrant yellow scarf and floral skirt, also reads attentively. The third man, seated beside her, has his hands folded on the table. In the foreground, attendees are listening, some wearing bright hats and scarves. The tent is decorated with greenery, and the scene conveys a sense of community and spiritual reflection.

The next morning began with another nation holding mass at the big tent. I love how each nation does things differently, but everyone has appreciated and attended each other’s services.

An elder stands with a ceremonial tobacco pipe during a traditional tobacco pipe ceremony, an important cultural ritual. They are dressed in a checkered shirt and headband, and nearby, another elder assists with the ritual preparations. Sage burns softly on the table in front of them.

Right after mass, they held a tobacco pipe ceremony, and many of the elders participated. Sage was burning, and some elders began preparing for the Walking Out ceremony.

Walking Out Ceremony group (elder woman in red coat): An elder woman, wearing a vibrant red coat and traditional cap, sits comfortably in a mobility scooter. She smiles warmly, clearly enjoying the ceremony. Behind her, a man in a red jacket stands with his arms crossed, as a dark sky looms in the distance.

A Walking Out ceremony is a little like a baptism, but it’s typically done for young children.

A lone eagle soars high in the sky, its wings fully spread as it glides effortlessly in circles. The bird appears small against the vast expanse of the blue sky, symbolizing freedom and a spiritual connection with nature.

As preparations were being made, a large golden eagle flew in wide, westward circles overhead. One of the elders commented that the camp might have disturbed her hunting grounds but hoped she wouldn’t mind too much.

A group of older adults sit outdoors near a large white tent, bundled up in jackets and colorful blankets. A man in a blue camo hoodie speaks animatedly to the seated group, which appears to be listening attentively. The sky is overcast, and the gathering conveys a sense of community amidst traditional cultural elements.

Johnny and Louisa B. Saganash offered to lead the Walking Out ceremony.

An older man, a young child in traditional plaid clothing, and an older woman sit together outdoors. The child sits on the man’s lap, holding a cup, while the woman, draped in a colorful shawl and blanket, smiles. The backdrop features evergreen trees and a cloudy sky, with a calm outdoor setting.

A seated elderly man wearing a blue jacket and black beret looks off to the side, smiling, while holding an umbrella. Behind him, another man stands in the background, dressed in a hoodie. A large white tent and an overcast sky fill the scene, creating an atmosphere of community gathering.

A man assists a young child, who is learning to walk on a ground covered in green fir branches. The man, dressed in a black vest and baseball cap, holds the child’s hands as they take steps. The child, bundled in a blue knit hat, stands near some wood and greenery, with seated people and cabins in the background.

The same man continues to help the young child walk outdoors. The child, wearing a winter hat and boots, takes cautious steps across a patch of fir branches, as onlookers in colorful clothing watch from behind. The setting features an outdoor gathering with a mix of cultural and natural elements.

Aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents all play important roles in the ceremony, as it’s designed to connect the youngest generation with traditional ways.

A close-up of a young boy, Cohen, wearing a bright red jacket, gazing curiously off to the side. His face is calm, and his eyes reflect natural light. The blurred background hints at an outdoor setting with soft, overcast skies.

One of the children, Cohen, was particularly curious about my camera. He was eager to be part of everything, and his energy was infectious.

Two older women, each holding a young girl by the hands, guide them as they walk on a bed of pine branches. The young girls, dressed in bright red sweaters and colorful skirts, hold small evergreen sprigs. A crowd of people sits in the background, watching the ceremony unfold in an outdoor setting.

A man helps a young boy, who is being held by another man, hold a rifle. The scene takes place near a pile of wood and pine branches, with people watching the ceremony from behind. The boy is bundled in a blue hat and winter boots, while the men guiding him wear casual outdoor clothing.

A smiling toddler in a red plaid skirt and brown sweater is supported by two adults holding her hands as she steps on a bed of pine branches. The adults, dressed in colorful clothing with traditional designs, stand next to a small evergreen tree as part of the ceremonial scene.

A woman, dressed in a white and blue traditional outfit, gently holds the hands of a young girl in matching attire as they walk on a bed of pine branches. The girl clutches an evergreen sprig in one hand, while onlookers behind them, including elders and other participants, observe the event in an outdoor setting.

Each aspect of traditional Naskapi life is symbolized in the ceremony. For the boys, a small stuffed caribou represents their first hunt, and for the girls, a branch from a pine tree symbolizes their first tent. Pine boughs are used to line the floors of tents, giving off a fragrant and soft scent. One of the grandfathers helped a young boy fire a blank from a rifle, symbolizing the boy’s first hunt, and this helps ease the pressure for future hunts as they grow older.

A man holds the hand of a young boy as they walk across a bed of pine branches during a traditional ceremony. The boy is dressed in a vest and blue sneakers, and an older woman in a colorful scarf and skirt stands nearby, smiling. The setting is outdoors with a backdrop of trees and people seated, watching the event.

The same man and young boy continue their ceremonial walk over pine boughs. The boy holds a green cloth and a small stuffed animal representing a caribou as they pass a pile of chopped wood. People in the background, some taking photos, observe the significant moment under cloudy skies.

The most important part of the Walking Out ceremony is when the child takes their first step off the carpet of boughs. This step symbolizes their journey out into the world, but importantly, they are never alone—family is always there to support them.

A group of young children, seated in a line, wearing colorful knit hats, traditional outfits, and cozy boots, look ahead with curious expressions. They sit on a bed of pine branches outdoors, next to a small evergreen tree. The background is blurred, with some chairs and an elder watching the event.

Elders and two adults sit behind a group of young children who are seated on pine branches. The children are dressed in vibrant, traditional clothing with colorful hats, and the elders are smiling, observing the scene. A large tipi structure and an evergreen tree are visible in the background.

A group of three women and two young children pose outside a tipi. The children wear matching blue knit hats and red sweaters while being held by two of the women. The adults are dressed in traditional skirts with colorful designs, smiling as they celebrate the ceremony together.

A woman helps a young child, who is dressed in traditional clothing, kneel beside a small evergreen tree during the ceremony. The child holds a doll, and a stuffed caribou toy rests nearby on a pile of logs, symbolizing elements of traditional Naskapi life. Behind them, a tipi stands under cloudy skies.

It’s an adorable and joyous event. Elders take pride in dressing their grandchildren in the traditional clothing they wore as children, and the entire family embraces the child with love and pride.

Four people stand in front of a building's door, smiling for the camera. Three of them are standing while one person sits on the steps in front. They are dressed casually, wearing hoodies, jeans, and T-shirts. The backdrop is a modern building with a glass door, and the group appears relaxed and friendly. This is part of the Wapikoni team, collaborating with the Naskapi Nation to record and produce music and videos.

After the ceremony, I headed back to Kawawachikamach to shower, do some laundry, and meet with Rui Silveira, Elayna Einish, and the rest of the Wapikoni team. They’re here to help the Naskapi Nation and Tepatshimuna Matimekush Lac-john Natives record and produce music and videos for free.

An elderly woman, wearing a colorful red headscarf with floral designs, reaches out from a car window, holding someone’s hand firmly. Her expression is warm and affectionate as she leans slightly out of the car. The image captures a tender, intimate moment between the two people.

The same elderly woman, still holding onto the other person’s hand, appears deeply connected and emotionally engaged in the moment. Her grip is strong as she leans out from the car window. The background shows the interior of the vehicle, with warm sunlight reflecting inside.

When I returned to the Elders’ Gathering, I ran into David and Susan Swappie riding in Seasi’s truck. Susan, as is her habit, grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go, repeatedly saying, “ᔄᔾᒥᑎᓐ, ᔄᔾᒥᑎᓐ, ᔄᔾᒥᑎᓐ… (I love you, I love you, I love you)” in Naskapi.

An elderly man sits in the passenger seat of a car, wearing a baseball cap with "Kawawachikamach" embroidered on it. His expression is calm, looking out the window. In the driver's seat is a woman smiling, also wearing a cap and sunglasses. They are dressed warmly, and the scene appears to capture a relaxed moment between the two.

An elderly woman sits in the back seat of a car, holding a white to-go container with a meal of bread and other food. She wears a jacket with a colorful Naskapi patch on the sleeve and a red floral headscarf. Her expression is content, as she enjoys the meal in a cozy setting.

They hadn’t eaten yet, but Seasi told me she had some submarine sandwiches. After I laughed at her for feeding them “white people food”, I ran and got them plates of fish, wapachi, and fresh bannock.

We sat together for a while, talking, while David watched the crowds, calling over family and friends to chat with them. It was good to see them out and enjoying the gathering.

Later that evening, the Elders Gathering beauty contest took place, where couples from each community competed in a hilarious dance-off. It was lighthearted fun, and everyone had a great time laughing and cheering.

I ended the night practicing recording the northern lights as timelapse.

Sat, Aug 31

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