in the series “Telling Our Stories”, Saige Mukash said there are so many things that are spiritual—such as waking up and greeting the sun. To Matthew Mukash goose hunting is part of their spiritual tradition and they understand that if you are part of this culture, the goose will protect you. The goose brings food and medicine and also “a reminder that mother earth provides whatever it is that we need.” As a result, the people must respect the goose. Even though they hunt goose and eat goose, they must respect the goose. This is part of their culture and their spirituality. Respect for all species.

Danielle O’Bomsawin-Mukash, an Abenaki from Odanak, said  she eats a salad and it was alive. And she eats it. Obviously, she is not a vegan since she eats goose, but all of us eat things that are alive.  “We believe that everything has a spirit. It means showing as much respect as you can,” she said, as she was removing the feathers from a goose. Respect is a fundamental concept in many Indigenous cultures.

Matthew Mukash said the job of an old man is to keep the meat turning above the fire. He does that while sitting comfortably on a chair in his wooden shelter. And just like old men in the white territories his grandchildren giggle as he talks. He prays to the ancestors as he gets the food ready to eat.

These are their ceremonies. They reminded me of Catholic Ceremonies. Many religious groups have ceremonies. I remember as a good Mennonite boy the first time I was in a Catholic church in the little town of LaBroquerie, I was surprised at the strange ceremonies they had. Priests in fine robes handing out the body and blood of Christ. Not really that different. Matthew Mukash said, in their culture old people were present when the food was cooked and they shared their stories.