VISION

A DREAM VISION

A Dream Vision originally received twenty-five years ago by Anishnabe Elder Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Dave Courchene Jr.), then a young man, outlined the purpose and design for The Turtle Lodge (Anishnabe Mikinack Kinamakamik).

For First Nations people, visions and dreams have always offered guidance to issues in life. A vision was received for a Village of Peace. At the heart of the village was a lodge, built in the shape of a turtle.

Around "The Turtle Lodge" were four smaller turtle-shaped lodges in each of the four directions. People of every colour were coming out of these lodges and walking toward the central lodge. Animals (predominantly horses and buffalo), people in a garden, and Elders talking and laughing around a fire were seen. An eagle was circling in the sky above. Through the vision, the First Nations Elders believe the Great Spirit has given people of all cultures the gift of a lodge of truth, kindness and love, which will bring healing and peace to the world. The Turtle to Indigenous people is a symbol of truth.

The central lodge confirms that it is time for all peoples to join in the centre.

The four smaller lodges represent the balance of people from the four corners of Mother Earth. The people working in the garden show that we must return back to the land to survive in the most natural way. The Fire represents the entrance for the Ancestors to come and give us guidance and direction. The Eagle flying in the sky is a sign of the Great Spirit giving blessing to the vision.

Over the years, this vision was shared with people of many cultures and races. Through dialogue, multiple discussion forums, sharing circles, youth gatherings and traditional cultural lodges, this vision was interpreted and developed into the Turtle Lodge.

In February 2002 a group of people began bringing the vision of The Turtle Lodge and Village of Peace, "a place of truth", into physical reality. A very special lodge was constructed in Sagkeeng (north-east of Winnipeg), Manitoba in the shape of a turtle. Manitou Abi (Where the Creator Sat) to many people is considered the centre, the heart of North America.