Cultural Healing: Wes Whetung on Grief and Ceremony in First Nations
Whatever you are suffering with, don't give up. Hang in there. There's a lot of people who've suffered. Just look back at the history of our peoples, the things we've survived and come through. Don't give up. There is help and you will find your way.
Grieving can be an overwhelming journey, but for First Nations people, culture and ceremony offer a path to healing. In this episode of 'Mino Bimaadiziwin', Wes Whetung, a Knowledge Keeper and ceremony maker, shares his profound insights on managing grief and loss through the rich traditions of his heritage. The conversation stems from the recent Thunderbird Survey on Grief and Loss Among First Nations People, which highlighted a deep yearning to reconnect with cultural practices to navigate sorrow and adversity.
Wes draws from his extensive experience with the Anishinabe Midewin Sacred Teachings and over 40 years of active support with the Three Fires Society Midewin Lodge. His personal stories reveal how ceremony lifted him from despair, offering a lifeline to those who feel lost. He emphasizes the importance of sensitivity when addressing spiritual needs, especially during times of grief.
This episode is a heartfelt guide to accessing cultural and spiritual healing services, ending with a powerful message of hope: help is available, and you will find your way.