Myron Neapetung learned the cultural significance of the teepee from Elder Mary Lee. He shared his knowledge with residents of Humboldt and the St. Augustine Grades 2 and 3 students on June 22 when he raised two teepees in Civic Park with help from visitors and two helpers. (submitted photo/Jennifer Fitzpatrick)

By Becky Zimmer

Teepee teachings

Traditional teepee raising education opportunity in Humboldt

Jun 28, 2023 | 3:40 PM

Residents of Humboldt witnessed something that has never taken place in the city before; teepees standing proudly in Civic Park next to city hall.

Thanks to Myron Neapetung and his helpers; his son, Tyrell, and Robert Bellay, two teepees were raised on June 22, something that Neapetung suspects has never been done, if not in the last 150 years at least. While the general public was invited to attend the first raising with around 50 attending, the second raising was specifically for Grades 2 and 3 from St. Augustine School.

The teepee itself represents the family unit, but the fact that everyone had a hand in erecting it was something special in itself. Beyond the many hands that put it up, each pole as well holds special significance within Indigenous culture.

How a teepee is raised depends on the area, said Neapetung.

The specific knowledge shared during the Humboldt raising was from the Treaty 6 territory, he said, more specifically from the Cree Teachings.

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These teachings have been lost to many Indigenous peoples due to colonization, and Neapetung himself learned them from Elder Mary Lee at the First Nations University.

“Knowledge Keeper Elder Mary Lee taught us that the teepee is the woman’s lodge, it is the spirit and body of woman, because the woman represents the foundation of family and community. It is through her that we learn the values that bring balance into our lives,” he said following the event.

It’s a privilege to pass these teachings on, he said.

“To have this mutual understanding is paramount to achieving genuine reconciliation.”

School children are learning about colonialism, residential schools, and the 60s Scoop and are gaining that understanding of the challenges and hurt Indigenous people are still facing today, said Neapetung. With all the generations of hurt, Neapetung said it will take generations to heal, but progress is being made.

“That really took me aback with how far along our education system is going with teaching about what’s happened in Canada. It’s really leaps and bounds from 10 years ago.”

Each of the 15 poles represent a specific virtue; obedience, respect, humility, happiness, love, faith, kinship, cleanliness, thankfulness, share, strength, good child rearing, hope, ultimate protection and control flaps for the wind.

“As we raised the teepee, I explained each of the virtue meanings as we raised the teepee. The teepee teachings guide us to care for ourselves. It teaches community and how to care for others and live in harmony with all creation.”

As a residential school survivor, Neapetung’s own goals of his own education is to learn, to listen, and show respect, and that is all he asks from others on this path towards truth and reconciliation. These are the ways we are going to eliminate racism within Canadian society, he said.

The event was put on by the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery as part of their Relationship Building and Reconciliation Through Living Heritage pilot project.

The teachings were a powerful moment since this is active and tangible history that is still present in our community, said Jennifer Fitzpatrick, director of Cultural Services for the city.

“This was actively having people involved in putting up that teepee and increasing their understanding and just getting to know just getting to know our neighbors.”

Fitzpatrick and her team are working on bringing more events to the public that connect them to these relationship building projects.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim