The First Nations Garden

seeds flying
on the longest day
of the year—
I too am looking
for a place to land



The First Nations Garden of the Montreal Botanical Garden was the place to be on June 21st. Not only was it the summer solstice, but it was Aboriginal Day in Canada, a tradition begun in 1996 as a way of celebrating native cultures. That Aboriginal Day is held on the same day as the solstice is no accident—marking the day “the sun stands still” has been an important part of Native culture from earliest times. For the past 5 years, the Amerindian Garden has played host to the Solstice des Nations, which also serves as the kickoff event of the Fete National du Quebec.




The ceremonies began at dawn with the lighting of a bonfire. At 10AM, a traditional fire ceremony began. Mohawk elder Sedalio Fazio made a dramatic entrance.

heating the skin
of her drum
over the bonfire
a medicine woman
in ceremonial dress

She has a powerful, stirring voice and chanted to the accompaniment of her drum.

painted bear head
on her drum—
while the elder chants
the wind
sings its own song

The fire ceremony was conducted by Dominique Rankin, an Anishnabe elder, who spoke in French and Sedalio Fazio in English.



asking the Creator
for permission
to speak English
she welcomes us
to Mohawk territory

She spoke the words “Mohawk territory” with such authority that a gasp rippled through the crowd of well over 100 people. It was a shock to be reminded that we were indeed on Mohawk territory, but we were welcomed and invited to become part of “one mind.”

Madame Fazio appealed to all the various elements of the earth—water, fish, birds, animals, grasses, medicines, flowers, insects, worms, fruits, and the four winds, four directions, and four seasons.

grandmother moon
guiding all the cycles
the wise woman says
this is as far as I can go
with this prayer



The traditional Fire Ceremony, which celebrates the beginning of the solar cycle, was the highlight of First Peoples national day. We were each given a few grains of tobacco and instructed to make our silent prayers, then toss the grains into the bonfire so that the smoke from our prayers would rise to the great Creator.






invited to put their prayers
into the fire
all races,
forming a friendship circle
men, women, children




summer solstice--
into the fire
to be carried
up to heaven
all my prayers

The ashes would later be gathered and taken to the St. Jean Baptiste Day bonfire on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City on June 23rd.

A number of political representatives were present at the ceremony, as well as a strikingly attractive young woman, inuk singer Elisapie Isaac, who was one of this year’s spokespersons for the event.



kicking off her shoes
and running across the grass
she exclaims
I am a woman
of the tundra

Here are a few last thoughts on the solstice event.




Anishnabe elder
feathers and furs
messages from the ancestors
rock music blaring
from Maisonneuve Park





medicine woman
on a blanket
on the grass
leans back into the arms
of a white man



celebrating the solstice
in the First Nations garden--
tortilla chips & dip
and a free glass
of mango juice