Dave Courchene’s Opening Blessing at Winnipeg Foundation’s 9th Annual Legacy Circle Reception – October 26, 2017

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OPENING BLESSING BY DAVE COURCHENE (NII GAANI AKI ININI – LEADING EARTH MAN)

WINNIPEG FOUNDATION 9TH ANNUAL LEGACY CIRCLE RECEPTION

RBC CONVENTION CENTRE, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

OCTOBER 26, 2017

Boozhoo Aniin Dinay Maginitook Nii Gaani Aki Inini n’Dizinikaz Kinew Dodem I want to begin by offering words of humility and gratitude to the Great Spirit and to Mide Aki – our kind-hearted Mother Earth – for her abundance and generosity. I ask in humbleness the Spirit to come within our presence, to inspire us all to live from the spirit of our hearts. There is a term in my language that we say, “Mino Pi mati zi Win” – living life from the heart. Living life is about giving and sharing.  The more we are able to give, the more hope there is for the future of humanity. We are challenged more than ever to leave a legacy to future generations, a legacy based on the power of giving. The hope for humanity has always rested in the hands of those who are able to give and share out of the spirit of kindness. Society would never survive without the spirit of giving and sharing. And yet our world has become filled with so much selfishness, that it has lead to anger and violence. Many have lost the way of the heart. The future of humanity has always rested in the hands of those that show the leadership of being able to give and to share. The spirit of giving and sharing comes from living from the heart. Giving is not limited to a material understanding. Best of all is to give of ourselves, expressing the unique gifts we have all been given to help create a better world, more peaceful world. There is a sacred law practised by our nations, symbolized by the Buffalo. It is the sacred law of respect. To know and live respect is to be able to give and share, whether it is giving of our attention or giving of ourselves in some way. The Buffalo shows respect by giving the fullness of its being – the Buffalo gave every part of itself to help the people survive. Let us not ever lose the spirit to give, and let us stay true to the heart. Miigwech.  
Nii Gaani Aki Inini – Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene) is the founder of the Turtle Lodge.

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