Walking Spirit in a Native Way

Excerpt from book: Walking  Spirit in a Native Way                                                       Man or Spirit Drawing by Brian Matrious aka Nish Nung Ojibwe Elder It was still dark out.  I thought I heard something outside my tent and awoke with a start.  What was that I wondered?  Then I heard a crackling of a fire and saw light on the side of my tent.  The crackling was close.  That is my fire!  I had put it out last night so how could it have started up with no wood.  I heard someone pick up a piece of kindling and put it into the fire.  It couldn’t be the kids?!  “This is my camp!” I said, in as strong and firm a voice as I could muster.  “Can I help you?”  I tensely waited for a response. A quiet, yet also strong, male voice came back.  “Are you looking f...

James B. Beard’s New Book “Walking Spirit in a Native Way: White Mocs on the Red Road” A  journey, guided by the teachings of Ojibwe Elders and rooted in the values of balance, wellness, and natural spirit, is deeply meaningful especially in today’s world where many are searching for peace, direction, and reconnection. https://fultonbooks.com/books/?book=walking-spirit-in-a-native-way   Available at these on-line stores     James Beard aka Noodin                Cultural Storyteller, Educator, Speaker,                Author         Available in stores and online! Walking Spirit in a Native Way shares timeless teachings from Native Elders that remain as meaningful today as ever. For over thirty years, Jim has learned from Ojibwa/Chippewa Elders, presenting their wisdom to schools, communities, and Native tribes across North America. Respected for his knowledge ...

Creator - Hear my prayer    View from Manitoulin Island - Ontario, CA When I hurt the most Self will t’was true Self will had failed And God’s will new I learned to love him And accept And love for me was the effect As love for God And myself grew I learned to share that love with you Jan 1986  Poem by James B Beard            Denver James Beard aka Noodin                Cultural Storyteller, Educator, Speaker,                Author ...

Original Fireside Chat     For as long as man has gathered nothing has surp assed the calmness of sitting by  the fire and sharing thoughts with one another. Our ancestors from every place on earth have done this since time immortal. The fire itself seems to offer peace and tranquility as it reaches out to warm us and connect us with a sense of oneness.  At our home we have a fire almost weekly and anytime that someone requests to sit by the fire. We have an outside fire to sit out in the open day or night. There is a fire inside a lodge for shelter during the winter months or when it rains. We invite anyone who desires to join us by the fire.   When we  gather,   we sit in a circle around the fire. We all are equal in the creation . Native people use the circle to teach that we are all equal and should be  right size with one another. A feather will be passed around. Each person will have the opportunity to speak when handed the feather...

  It is International Women's Day James Beard aka noodin -- March 8, 2026 Josephine Mandamin Celebrating Josephine Henrietta Trudeau February 21, 1942 Died February 22, 2019 (aged 77) Wikwemikong First Nation and Canada Josephine Mandamin ( Anishinaabemowin : Biidaasige-ba, "The one who comes with the light". Anishinaabe grandmother, elder and founding member of the water protectors movement. A member of Wikwemikong First Nation , Mandamin was a survivor of the Canadian Indian residential school system and cofounder of the Mother Earth Water Walkers . During her 77 years, she walked about 25,000 miles around the shorelines of all the Great Lakes , and other waterways of North America, carrying a pail of water, to bring awareness to the need to protect the waters from pollution. Early life From 1948 to 1954 Josephine attended the St. Joseph' Residential School for Girls in Spanish, Ontario. Josephine moved to Thunder Bay in 1979. Throughout her career in ...