Developed By Sharon Meyer
NESD FNMI Consultant May 2021
Cree First Nation Worldview
The Creator created four things above Mother Earth:
1 – Sun
2 – Sky world
3 – Moon
4 - Stars
wind
fire
rock
water
Then the Creator made the four elements:
1 – wind
2 – fire
3 – rock
4 – water
Ceremonial First Nation people call the sun ‘fire’ within the medicine wheel. It is considered to be one of the 4 sacred elements that we cannot live without.
The sacred fire is symbolic to the sun heating Mother Earth. Fire is used in many ceremonies for healing.
Respect is shown to the fire and the surrounding grounds at all times. In an open fire stones are
usually placed in a circle formation with four openings representing the four directions.
The longest sacred ceremonial fire is lit for 4 days and 4 nights with a Fire Keeper in attendance at all times.
Various Sacred fires are unique in its teachings and an Elder or Knowledge Keeper is available to help share the teachings - contact your First Nation school representative. First Nation Spirituality – Planting The Seeds Series
http://the-office.com/bedtime-story/iroquois-fire.htm
How Fire Came To Be
Honoring Fire
Mother Earth has bestowed the gift of fire to her children and provides warmth and energy.
The gift of Fire is believed to be the giver of new life and is often associated with fertility.
When a baby is born they are gifted a home fire within them – this is attached to your
emotional and spiritual being.
Fire is the element that requires the utmost care and attention since it can bring new life
and take life away. Fire can devastate land during times of drought but can also provide a
natural cleansing of Mother Earth. The element of fire provides the gifts of all sources of
energy to her children. Assembly of First Nations – Honoring Fire
Ways we can start a fire:
Can you think of other
ways to start a fire?
Magnifying glass
Using friction
Keep us warm
Lightning can start a fire
A match can start a fire
Ways we use fire:
Fire can keep us warm
Grandfather rocks
are heated before
entering the sweatlodge
Help us heat and cook food
Fire to heat and boil
water
Fire can be used as a light
source
What are other ways that fire
can be used?
Fire is one of the four gifts from the Creator and we must treat it with respect. Fire can be
very damaging if it is not treated with respect.
House fire
Forest Fires
Fire can burn
our skin
Fire can be used as a weapon
Burnt food
What other ways can
fire be harmful?
Thank you for learning the First Nation way of understanding our place on Turtle Island and Mother Earth.
Sharon Meyer – NESD FNMI
Pre-K unit from the Prairie School Division that incorporates the teaching of fire
Teachings from the people of Pikangikum First Nation of Alberta
Web Resources:
https://www.nfb.ca/film/how_people_got_fire 16:02
Legend – How People Got Fire
You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJGNmgy676I 2:24
Granville Online: Flight of the hummingbird