The Great Lakes Lifeways Institute is joining forces with Indigenous nations in Minnesota and Ontario to build three elm bark community lodges as part of a growing effort to bring traditional lodges back to the region after more than 100 years.
“These grassroots projects brought together dozens of people, created powerful collaborative synergy between diverse communities and nations, all to create and reestablish traditional spaces for healing, growth, learning, teaching and even birthing,” said Great Lakes Lifeways founder and executive director Kevin Finney.
The first elm bark lodge to go up was on the Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota, followed by construction of another at the Lower Sioux Community in Minnesota. Construction of a lodge for the Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario is scheduled for later this year.
“We look forward to many gatherings at the…
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