The First Nations

A significant part of Canada's history involves the culture of the First Nations.  There are many things about the first nations' way of life and living which are very similar to those of the Maori in NZ. They are being preserved, but because this is such a big country and there were so many tribes with different languages, preservation is a much more challenging issue which is not helped by the fact that much of what is known comes from an oral tradition.  The continuation of some of the cultural traditions is an important part of some people's lives.

These are prayer ties which are to be found on Aspen trees in part of one of the Reservations to the south of Jasper.  In many ways they are the equivalent to leaving a candle burning in a church.  These have been there for some time.  Blue represents the air, yellow - the sun, green - the earth and white - the air.

This structure was recently built for the Sun Dance ceremony which can be held over up to 4 days in the course of which a lodge like this is built.  It is a very intricate structure, but all the timbers are simply laid in place after being cut.  Old structures from previous years still, stand - without the ties required by Health and Safety.  

One of the interesting things to discover about the plants is that these Aspen trees are all connected to the same root system and that they are therefore all part of one big plant.  They provide the timber for the construction of the lodges and tepees, and being one root system, the plant continues to grow.