Native American Community in Lansing reaffirm union on the traditional Spring Feast

As spring begins to warm us during the day and winter leaves behind its cold trace in the mornings and nights, the Native American community of Lansing celebrated the arrival of the new season at the traditional Spring Feast, held at the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center in Okemos on Sunday.

“We are breaking away from the winter. It’s the reunification of families after a long winter. We celebrate it in our Spring Feast,” said John Ostrander, 63, Executive Director at Nokomis and member of the Ojibwe Nation.

Before the feast, those present gathered around the fire outside the Nokomis Center. The tobacco had been placed around the sacred fire, so everyone took a handful and offered it into the flames after a short prayer.

The youngest woman among the group brought a small portion of each food from the feast to offer to the spirits of the ancestors. The smoke rising into the sky carries those prayers and offerings to the elders who are no longer here, honoring that they are still present here with them. Then, everyone can go inside and eat.

From elders first to the youngest, everyone served themselves the food that they each brought, but before that, a prayer of gratitude was offered. Ariel Waagosh gave the prayer in Anishinaabemowin, the Great Lakes region language.

“All life is here and connected, and as human beings, we couldn’t live without breath, plants, water, and the sun. We are nourished by life. As gratitude, the prayer comes from our most humble place”, said Waagosh, 47, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

The attendees of this gathering emphasized the importance of staying united and continuing these traditional events that strengthen ties among their members.

“This is the only place in my life where I can have a community. These are scary times right now; nothing is certain, so we have to take joy from where we can get it”, said Julia Tehauno, 23, Comanche member.

“You could see, during lunch, how loud it was; it was because people were talking, relaxing, and having a good time. And within the Native community, that’s a good thing to have: a space where every Indigenous person is welcome,” said Ostrander.