'I Feel Love Surrounding Me': The Grace of the Naming Ceremony
When knowing the end is just around the corner it makes me weak inside wishing I could rewind and start from the beginning again. On the date of August 22, it was my last Traditional Naming Ceremony. We had all received our traditional names given by the elders and were now to all celebrate with a beautiful feast.
As all the women were set at their tables, the men were the ones to serve them dinner. Once everyone had been given their dinner, we all began to enjoy our meal. During dinner laughter was thrown in and even some tears of emotion. When plates began to clear, names for prizes were starting to be drawn. The elders were also given gifts for all the wonderful things they had given us, as well as taught us.
We were all told that after the prizes were drawn that each one of us had to stand up in front of the full size audience and say how our traditional name has changed us in our own way. Once I had heard what we were to do, my heart began to race. The last time I had been in front of a massive audience was when I was a young girl, my music festivals for piano. Before I knew it, names started to be called and I knew mine was coming.
In my surroundings you could hear my heart pounding out of my chest and feel the fear coming off me. I kept making eye contact with the elder who blessed me with my traditional name, and he kept whispering towards to me that I would be fine. Next thing I know my name was being called.
After I heard my name had been called, I stood up from my seat and slowly took a step forward. To the left of me I heard the male elder get up from his seat, and that he would like to join me up front. I respectfully waited till he got in reaching distance of me, and then we locked arms while slowly heading to the front of the room. When we got in front of the full size audience the elder said that he would like to speak for me. He placed his hand gently on my back and started off with a prayer to Mother Earth. The elder also added in how I had become one of his own children over this short period of time. The elder, knowing about my health issues, also adding in on how everyday he takes the time to pray for the safety of my health. As I stood in place and listened there was something I hadn't felt in a long time, caring love.
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Once the elder was done speaking for me, we started heading back to our seats while dizziness had approached. The elders could feel something was wrong, as soon as they could they sat me down and put their arms around me. At that moment in time, the elders could feel exactly what I was feeling. The female elder could feel the issue slowly fade away, at the exact same time as I felt it fade. The elders had told me that they would not leave my side until I felt safe.
After each and every one of us had our own turn to speak, we all took the time to gather as a team to clear the tables. Before we knew it the tables were all clear and one by one we all started to head home for the evening.
Knowing an elder say they accept you as one of their own, and knowing everyday a prayer is being said on your behalf brings the feeling of warmth to my heart. When I know someone is watching over me I can feel the love surrounding me.
These days it is rare to feel caring love, it is because trust in our life has weakened. Seeing what is happening at this stage of time has made us all put up our own brick walls and yet it is hard for us to break them down. In the early 1900's people simply use to greet each other on the street, and now people don't even make eye contact. Love and Trust is something that must be worked on for the sake of all our children's futures.
Carly McIntosh was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada and now resides in Calgary, Alberta. McIntosh recently found her ancestry. Her goal is to pursue a future with writing and hopes to open some closed eyes and minds.
