A Celebration of Giving

A Partnership between the Turtle Lodge and Winnipeg Harvest

What is the Celebration of Giving?

Winnipeg Harvest and the Aboriginal organization Turtle Lodge are organizing an event that celebrates the important act of giving to the community. This event is called A Celebration of Giving.

On October 10, 2009, Manitobans are encouraged to experience fasting for one day, and to Give themselves in Service to others or the Earth in some way. By fasting, we are celebrating the value of giving, and appreciation for what the land has provided, by not taking from the Earth for one day. Those fasting are being encouraged to get sponsored to fast for the valued amount of food not being eaten that day, with all proceeds or food being donated to Winnipeg Harvest.

We are supporting youth aged 12 and over to go on a 24-hour fast, refraining from food, in support of the Celebration of Giving. Those who are fasting may take a limited amount of water during this time. Younger children may show their support by Giving themselves in Service in other ways.

For thousands of years, many cultures around the world fasted for purification, to give of themselves for the greater good, and for spiritual reasons. More and more people today are again realizing the benefits of fasting. (See BENEFITS OF FASTING page in this package)

We will be celebrating the Celebration of Giving at Winnipeg Harvest on October 10, 2009. More information on this event will be forthcoming.

Why is it Important?

No child should go hungry. Winnipeg Harvest feeds about 40,000 people per month. Almost half are children.

We need to come together as a community to put an end to child hunger.

We need to become more Giving as a Community. We need to teach our children how to Give. There is truth in the old saying: the more we give the more we receive. This has already been a year of Giving for Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba. We have seen volunteers come out to sandbag when the rivers threatened to overflow. Let the city and province located in the Heart of America show themselves to be the City and Province with a Heart!

“The Earth also needs our help and Respect. By not taking from the Earth for one day, we are Giving her our Respect and gratitude, by allowing her that time to rest.

As much as we need to give to each other in the human family, we must extend that giving to the Earth who provides the food, the water, the medicine and the teachings that are given to all of us unconditionally from the love of the Earth. We must find a way to understand our relationship to all Life. What we are proposing in celebrating life is participating in the act of Giving. If we achieve that level of understanding – that the more we give the more we receive – we can eradicate poverty and child hunger.”

-- Dave Courchene (Neeghani Aki Innini), 2009

Buffalo Illustration by Henry Guimond.
© Turtle Lodge 2009

How Can I Become Involved?

Young people aged 12 and over at Schools, Universities, Youth groups & organizations, Child & Family Services, etc. are encouraged to experience fasting for up to 24 hours at their school, community hall, place of worship, etc. in support of the Celebration of Giving.
It is suggested that youth seek sponsorship or pledges to fast, e.g. for the valued amount of food not eaten during that day, or pledges per hour fasted, or matched contributions from corporations approached, etc.; and that all proceeds or food be donated to Winnipeg Harvest.
Special activities could take place on the day of fasting, such as coming together to hear guest speakers, watch films on the importance of taking care of the Earth and caring for each other such as:

The 11th Hour (2008
The 8th Fire – www.the8thfire.org (Reflects the Aboriginal 8th Fire prophecy of a choice we will be given – the Path of Peace, Harmony & a New Earth, or if we refuse, a Path of Materialism & Destruction for almost all living things)
Manitou Api – A Return to the Centre (2009) – http://www.the8thfire.org/manitou_api.htm (Reflects the Seven Sacred Laws of Aboriginal People, and the significance of Manitoba as the spiritual and physical centre of America)
Pay it Forward (2000)
Etc.

Those who are not fasting may show their support by Giving themselves in Service in other ways, such as:

Spending a day with Elders
Volunteering
Planting a tree
Projects and initiatives designed by youth to Give in any way possible – using the students’ own ideas is encouraged!
Teaching curriculum incorporating elements of Giving are encouraged, such as ongoing student projects and emphasizing the importance of Giving to each other and the Earth

Additional Resources

A short video on the first Celebration of Giving school launch at the Sagkeeng First Nation Junior High School.
David Northcott (Executive Coordinator, Winnipeg Harvest) and Dave Courchene (Neeghani Aki Innini: Founder, Turtle Lodge) welcome invitations to speak to schools and organizations about the Celebration of Giving
Readings of The Seven Teachings (Courchene, 2006) by book co-illustrator Mary Black can be organized by invitation. The book is available for purchase at http://www.theturtlelodge.org/store.html

The Onashowewin runners with cyclist Ken Livingstone, June 2, 2009

Schools and community youth and student groups are encouraged to participate! Participation Packages are being made available for classroom teaching. Please keep us posted with your projects and initiatives – We will post selected Celebration of Giving initiatives on our website! For More Information or to Let us Know about your initiative, Contact us at turtlelodge@mts.net.

A Celebration of Giving

A Partnership between the Turtle Lodge and Winnipeg Harvest

OCTOBER 10, 2009

What Some Communities Have Started:

Download Participation Package by clicking here.

-- Dave Courchene (Neeghani Aki Innini), 2009

Buffalo Illustration by Henry Guimond. © Turtle Lodge 2009

Original Artist (Seven Animals Images): Henry Guimond Graphics: Andrea Gutsche Seven Animals Images © Turtle Lodge 2009.

Buffalo Illustration by Henry Guimond.
© Turtle Lodge 2009

Original Artist (Seven Animals Images): Henry Guimond
Graphics: Andrea Gutsche
Seven Animals Images © Turtle Lodge 2009.