Jason Gobeil, an Indigenous knowledge keeper, addressed the participants when his second drumstick of the day broke, offering words of inspiration and encouragement to remind them that even broken objects hold great value. Mr. Gobeil shared his teachings during Indigenous Culture Awareness Week at CFB Shilo on May 22. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

MWO Quinn attended his third Indigenous Awareness Week event across the country, participating in the teaching day and witnessing the teepee raising competition at the Manitoba Army Base. He said it’s not just CFB Shilo excelling in Indigenous awareness, but many other bases in Canada’s west, as well.

Teachings about the teepee and how to raise it with respect and honour were led by Westman First Nations knowledge holders Jason Goebeil and Tim Bone. Gobeil explained that, traditionally, teepee raising and the care of the home are the responsibilities of females, as they are life-givers.

Andrea Bourgeault, civilian co-chair of the base Defence Indigenous Advisory Group (DIAG), said with all of the teachings, there are endless life lessons to be learned.

“It’s about community, family, respect for women, respect for children, respect for a lifestyle. It’s a chance for people to really see how life was before settler contact and the beautifulness of it.”

“[It also teaches] what a family really means, and how a team comes together like a unit to build a home …
The CAF are a family in their own right, and to see them work together in their professional capacities, and then to come to learn about indigenous family ways, on indigenous lands, is just beautifully significant,” she said.

The teaching ceremonies opened with a smudging of sage and a song drummed by Goebeil. He joked with the crowd that raising the teepees was a race, but not a race because of the meaning and depth that the home holds in one’s heart. He addressed the crowd in a poignant moment when his drumstick broke. He explained it was the second time that day he had broken a drumstick. Even though the stick was broken, it was still sacred, valuable and worth fixing.

“Know this: you are worth everything in this world. You are worth every opportunity to be mended, to be heard, to be seen, and to be valued,” he said. “Look at you all. You are part of a fabulous team in our country that works together to serve society.”

“Be proud. You all got into this for reasons. Why? Your heart led you to the path that you’re on today. Sometimes we forget that because we get regimented in our jobs, we’re working for that higher role. We understand that, sometimes, the only way we can do this is to be cold and regimented. Well, I want to remind you right now, today, behind that cold exterior, behind those words of fear, exists a warrior. And within warrior societies, those warriors protect family, protect the team.

“Wake up – if you’ve been struggling with your own thoughts on trying to figure out where you fit in, well … you are exactly where you are because you are meant to be here,” Goebeil said.

The day of teaching concluded with a teepee-raising competition after lunch of bison stew and bannock. The Shilo Base Team Two won the teepee raising contest with the team being led by Corporal Letitia Orr.

Jason Gobeil, an Indigenous knowledge keeper, drums and sings during Indigenous Awareness Week. Mr. Gobeil shared his teachings during Indigenous Awareness Week at CFB Shilo on May 22. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

Master Warrant Officer Fraser Ashmead prepares a traditional meal of bannock and bison stew for Indigenous Awareness week observed at CFB Shilo on May 23. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

Shilo Base Team Two were the most successful in raising their teepee during the competition on May 23, when Indigenous Awareness Week was observed with the sharing of teachings and a traditional meal.  (Photo: MCpl Cassidy Moon, DND, CFB Shilo)