Anishinaabe Knowledge Keeper Robert Maytwayashing of Lake Manitoba First Nation, a member of the Turtle Lodge National Council, shares his faith in humanity and his views on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Anishinaabe Knowledge Keeper Robert Maytwayashing of Lake Manitoba First Nation, a member of the Turtle Lodge National Council, shares his faith in humanity and his views on the COVID-19 vaccine. An English version of his message is available.

This is the fifth installment in a Turtle Lodge series featuring elders and knowledge keepers on COVID-19, vaccines, and traditional medicine. Previous parts include messages from Elder Dr. Dave Courchene (Part 1), Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing (Part 2), Elder Dr. Harry Bone (Part 3), and Grandmother Florence Paynter (Part 4), sharing insights on the pandemic, spirituality, and balancing modern and traditional medicine.

Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater), a respected Dakota Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and ceremonial leader, often shared his "Spirit of Life" song. He connected it to the Dakota creation story: a blue

Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater), a respected Dakota Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and ceremonial leader, often shared his "Spirit of Life" song. He connected it to the Dakota creation story: a blue light journeys from a heavenly house to a mother's womb, lives on Earth, and then returns to its celestial origin.

The song's essence, "Lightning beings! It's me! There is a house in the heavens where I was born," reflects this journey. Shared with his family's permission to continue his legacy, this video is posted on behalf of the Turtle Lodge, where Henry was an Elder, and Elders Circle Seven, who honored him with the Mikinak-Keya Spirit Tour. Learn more about Henry Skywater: Turtle Lodge.

Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter of Sandy Bay First Nation, a knowledge keeper and Anishinaabe speaker, explains her important decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A member of the

Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter of Sandy Bay First Nation, a knowledge keeper and Anishinaabe speaker, explains her important decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. A member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers, her message is part of a series from Turtle Lodge elders and knowledge keepers discussing COVID-19, vaccines, and traditional medicine. For the English version, click here.

This is the fourth installment in the series. Previous parts feature Elder Dr. Dave Courchene (Part 1), Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing discussing her COVID experience and spirituality (Part 2), and Elder Chief Dr. Harry Bone on balancing modern and traditional medicine while encouraging vaccination (Part 3).