2024 Spring Gathering Ceremony

You're invited to celebrate the Ziigwan Maawanji"idiwin Spring Gathering Ceremony at the Kragon Fort Ancient Historic Site in Breathitt County, Kentucky!

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions at this special event.

May 11th, 2024 Agenda

9:30 a.m. Fire Lighting

10:00 a.m. Ceremony Begins (Bring your own chair or blanket)*

12:30 p.m. Lunch with Berry Feast

1:30 p.m. Traditional Drum Making ($35 material cost / person)*

1:30 p.m. Spirit Naming with Prayer Offering Ceremony

3:30 p.m. Wiping of the Tears Ceremony

5:00 p.m. Traditional Feast/Food Offering (Bring a Potluck Dish)*

6:30 p.m. Big Drum, Song and Dance

8:00 p.m. Closing Song and Dance Out

* DRUM CLASS - You must register for the drum class prior to the event. To do so message Reta or Loren. PayPal, Venmo or cash are accepted. The cost covers the materials used to make the drum. Elk hides will be used.

  • FOOD - Pot Luck dish offering for the traditional feast is requested. If you have an ancestor, you'd like to pay tribute to bring their favorite dish; it is our honorable way to do this. If not, bring a dish of your favorite food. Food can be any item including entrees with meat, veggies, casseroles, hotdish, breads and desserts. You can also bring beverages and chips. NOTE to SELF: Remember to write your name on your dish and pick it up after the meal is over or use a disposable item not needing to be returned.

  • SEATING - Bring your own chair or a blanket if you don't mind sitting on the ground.

  • CEREMONIES - All ceremonies will be conducted by members of the Grand Medicine Society and are lodge ceremony holders.

  • Spirit Naming and Wiping of the Tears are our traditional ways and ceremonies that are offered for the first time in over a century to the people of Kentucky at this Ancestorial site.

  • WHAT TO WEAR? Comfortable casual. Traditionally women come wearing a skirt but should be comfortable and men wear comfortable clothing. Shoes, moccasins or your bare feet are acceptable as well.

  • Donations are accepted and appreciated as a 501(c)(3) and tax deductible.

  • We still have event SPONSORSHIPS available. Contact Doug Terry 502-330-0121 if you'd like to help support this event.

  • Come for ALL or SOME of the day. Potluck evening meal is the main meal of the day with lunch being a light snack type of nourishment.

Traditional Drum Making Class requires a $35 registration Fee

- Payment DUE by May 1st, 2024

- Several payment options including epayments with PayPal, Venmo or with cash or check

- If needed we can arrange for pickup of your payment in the following areas:

Jackson KY, Louisville KY, Lawrenceburg KY

- You can mail your payment as well to: Doug Terry, 1018 Forest Hill Drive, Lawrenceburg KY 40342

- Contacts: Loren 606-568-4111 or Reta 502-541-1051 if you need assistance or have any questions

Midewiwin members who will be conducting this ceremony for us include the following:

Dakota Gunville

Dakota Gunville (Niimi-giizhigoon/Dances in the Sky)

Dakota and his family are deeply rooted in cultural revitalization and preservation. He is a descendant of Turtle Mountains leaders, Chief Flying-Eagle and the last War Chief Red-Thunder.

Today he focuses on the importance of cultural identity with the youth. Implementing traditional singing and dancing while teaching the youth who they are and where they come from. He is currently a preschool cultural teacher in the Turtle Mountains. Dakota is a member of the Midewiwin Mikinaak Wiajiw and Bear Society; he has a strong ceremonial singing voice being part of Big Drummers groups at powwows.

Stephanie Laducer

Stephanie Laducer (Jiikandam Anakwad Ikwe/Happy Cloud Woman)

As Cultural Leader for the Turtle Mountain Elementary School she has served in this capacity for the past 18 years. Stephanie received a Bachelor of Elementary Education from the Turtle Mountain Community College in 2000. As a part of the requirements for the program she completed extensive Ojibwe language classes and attended a language immersion camp; and achieved necessary skills on how to incorporate culture into school’s educational curriculum. Mrs. Laducer has been recognized by the state of North Dakota’s Department of Instruction as an Ojibwe Cultural Expert. She participates in and has taken a leadership role in various ceremonies in different lodges in the local Turtle Mountain community as well as other Tribal communities. “Snuzzy” as she is affectionately known is a Sundancer, member of the Bear Lodge and Midewiwin.

Terrance Morin

Terrance Morin, Wabishki KoKoka-oo inini, (White Owl Man)

Walking in a traditional way of life sharing his wisdom and knowledge with others, Terry is a pipe carrier and Sundance Chief of Thunderbird Lodge, and runs sweat lodge, teaching lodge, and helps with other lodges such as Shake-tent, Powwow, Eagle Sundance Lodge and Midewiwin. Terry is a keeper of the Spirit Wind big drum and has been singing for Sundances in ND, Minn. and Canada. He is currently helping with culture in the high school and his community.

Terry believes that when you learn anything about who you are as native people you are taking back what Creator gifted you!

Mary Morin, Wabishki Memengwa Ike (White Butterfly Woman)

Mary Morin is a knowledge keeper within the Turtle Mountain Ojibwa people. Mary worked 34 years in the Turtle Mountain School System. She taught Language Arts, Industrial Technology, Native Culture and Language. She taught students how to make their regalia and how to pow wow dance. She retired and now works with Hearts of Hope / Victims of Crime as Elder Traditional Advocate sharing teachings and Walking in Balance.

Mary carries many teachings because throughout her life she has participated in Sundance Lodges, Teaching Lodges, Midewiwin Lodges, Sweat-Lodges, Celebrating Life Lodges (Pow wow), Moon Lodge, and taking care of Home Lodge.

Mary is married to Terry Morin, together have three children and many grandchildren and they love all family activities.

Anita & Brett Williamson

Brett and Anita have been active in the Grand Medicine Society for many years in Canada and the United States. They lead and attend numerous ceremonies on Turtle Island regularly. Both Brett and Anita carry Water Drums for the Communities in which they are called upon to facilitate and nurture the Anishinaabeg people. Brett and Anita are pipe carriers.

The Southern Bear Pipe was passed to Anita many years ago stemming from a gathering of elders in Canada. Brett and Anita are both graduates of United Tribes Technical College class of 1984. Both continuously work to improve their knowledge of the Anishinaabeg language and revitalize their communities in language and culture along with encouraging and facilitating the knowledge that “we are still here” encouraging connections with all realms of life around us in this modern age.