The circle is a symbol of interdependence, wholeness, completeness that gives energy, vitality, healing, strength and unity. The circle represents the journey through life, "the circle of life" that begins at conception with the creation of new life.

Rosella M. Kinoshameg, 1995

This new life within the mother's womb is affected by the lifestyle and environment of the mother. So the mother must strive to be healthy in mind, body and spirit to provide a good beginning. To ensure that no harm comes to her baby she must give up smoking, alcohol, junk food and negative thoughts and feelings. She must accept that she is no longer a child but an adult with new responsibilities.

White; Gift from Creator; Spiritual

The mother easily begins the spiritual preparation. She accepts the baby as a gift from the Creator, a very special and precious gift to be guided and nurtured along life's spiritual pathway. She must prepare to teach the child how to live the seven sacred gifts: respect, humility, compassion, honesty, truth, wisdom and unconditional love. This child will become tomorrow, our blessing, our future, strong in the ways of our ancestors.

Black/Blue; Protection; Support

There must be involvement and support by family, relatives and the community. This circle of people plays a very important role in giving the child a sense of belonging and protecting the child with a circle of love. This includes giving support to the parents.

The mother is the centre and the foundation and the child's first teacher. She prepares the child for the "earth walk" by caring, giving, feeling and meeting every need. She demonstrates unconditional love, not only during infancy but throughout the whole life cycle.

Yellow; Beginning of New Life; Strength

For the mother to be strong and also have a strong baby, she must eat good food and also she must balance exercise and rest. Exercises prepare and strengthen the muscles she must use during the delivery, allowing for a more comfortable pregnancy, minimizing loss of tone, decreasing fatigue and maintaining good physical form. Rest promotes physical and mental well-being, relieves tensions, reduces fatigue, builds up energy and at labour, reduces pains.

Red; Direction and Discipline; Teachings

There is a colour, an animal or a bird, a sacred herb, an element and an aspect of the being in each direction. These are gifts from all the directions. Each gift comes with a teaching. The mother uses the teachings to help her with self-discipline as she sets new guidelines and goals so that her baby will be strong and healthy. The teachings give her direction as to how to follow the pathway of life, a whole way of life, "to do as we ought - to the best of our ability." From these teachings come knowledge and power.

For more information, contact Rosella Kinoshameg

United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin, Mnaamodzawin Health Services

Manitoulin Island, P.O. Box 104, RR#1, Shegviandah ON P0P 1W0

Telephone: (705) 368-2182

Fax: (705) 368-2229

E-mail: mnaanooj@kanservu.ca