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Winter Solstice Giving Tree

Winter Solstice Giving Tree In-Person

TAWOW! Welcome to the Solstice Giving Tree, set up to celebrate Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year. After December 21st, the light comes back and Indigenous people know the days are getting longer.  

Under this tree, you will find a Giving Bowl. If anything speaks to you in this bowl, please take it. In the Indigenous way, giving is the same as receiving because if you are one who cares about other people, everything you give comes back to you – a beautiful Circle in life.  

Years ago, a poplar tree on a riverbank may have had all of its branches removed except for a few at the top. This was called a “lobstick” and signified a place where you could stop in your journey and rest. Maybe there was a fire pit built there, and an old kettle for you to boil water in and have tea. That’s the traditional Indigenous inspiration for naming this the “Giving Tree”. 

The bowl under it is a new idea and to signify the importance of giving in Indigenous culture. Please allow the bowl to stay in place to hold gifts from Dec. 1 to Dec. 21. 

First Peoples gave up much when settlers came to Canada, most significantly land, waterways, and their children – who were taken away from parents and placed in residential schools. Many never returned.  

There is a bison on this bowl to signify this animal also gave everything to the people, sacrificing its life so the First Nations of this country could use its meat, hide, bones and hooves for food, shelter, clothing and implements. If you want to know more about this animal-people relationship, scan this QR code. 

In the spirit of Giving, this Giving Tree and Bowl here at the library is meant to help heal the past, and move into the future in the best way possible – honouring the gifts and culture of All. 

Date:
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Show more dates
Time:
All Day Event
Time Zone:
Mountain Time - US & Canada (change)
Location:
Spruce Grove Public Library
Audience:
  Adult (18-64)     All Ages (Family)     Babies (0-12mo)     Children (5-8 years)     Indigenous     Preschool (1-4 years)     Seniors (65+)     Teen (13-17 years)     Youth (8-12 years)  
Categories:
  Indigenous  

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