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The signs of Xwsit (autumn) are evident: the strong winds, the cooler temperatures, and the leaves that change from deep green to light green, to golden yellow, and finally to red. We notice the cottonwood buds start to flower and the salmon in the river. And when fireweed flowers have gone to seed, we know winter will arrive in six weeks.
These many signals are more than just a renewal of our interconnectedness to Mother Earth, they ensure our survival: they remind us to pick wild berries, such as rose hips, as well as leaves for medicinal teas; they remind us to hunt moose, caribou, deer, and geese. They tell us to prepare ts’al (smoked salmon), and to preserve the berries and meat to enjoy during the cold months to come.
Our interconnectedness to Mother Earth is also a reminder of our interconnectedness to each other, through our languages and cultural practices: powwows, dance, songs, feasts, and ceremonies. Being interconnected builds strength and reinforces the importance of providing not only for ourselves but also for Elders, other community members, and those less fortunate than us.
If you are interested in knowing about our publications, visit our website or subscribe to our mailing list to receive notifications of newly released NCCIH resources, podcasts, webinars, and our regular seasonal newsletters. Please enjoy and share our knowledge resources with your community and networks, and if you have not already done so, join us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Vimeo, YouTube, SoundCloud, or ISSUU to participate in updates as they happen.
As the winter months approach, take care as we ease into the cold and flu season, and we hope that you stay connected to each other and to the NCCIH.
Mussi cho/Ham i yaa,
Dr. Sheila Blackstock, Academic Co-Lead,
National Collaborating Centre for
Indigenous Health (NCCIH)
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