The maple leaves are changing! How pretty they look, so many shades of orange and red. They gently bob in the breeze, so graceful. Their work providing shade for my loved ones during hot summer afternoons is now over for the year. Now the trees provide us with another gift, their leaves changing in aContinue reading “Maple Tree of Life”
Author Archives: Michelle M. Jacob
Witnessing Blessings
Today I got to witness the sunrise over my Indigenous homeland. How pretty the wide, wide sky is, as expansive as the wisdom in our traditional teachings. The cool fall air greets me on my morning walk. I notice frost here and there, letting me know winter is eager to visit. Later I have ZoomContinue reading “Witnessing Blessings”
Braiding Past, Present & Future
“Indigenous Peoples have long histories and even longer futures.” This was one of the wise ideas shared at a gathering of Indigenous educators I was fortunate to be a part of a couple weeks ago. At the gathering, we were asked to share our foundational beliefs around teaching and learning. There were so many beautifulContinue reading “Braiding Past, Present & Future”
Daybreak
This morning I am thinking about breakfast. I remember one morning when my dad took me to breakfast when I was in college. My mom, a school bus driver, had to rise early each morning for her job. So when they’d visit me at college she’d decline the offer to eat breakfast at a restaurant,Continue reading “Daybreak”
Birds & Bowling
I’ve been too busy lately, the dull ache in my head tells me. When this happens I know it’s time to sit outside and do nothing. Just observe. Let the knots of my mind untangle themselves with the help of my more than human relations. Today my special helpers are birds. I notice how theyContinue reading “Birds & Bowling”
Keep Growing
It’s hard not to feel a sense of doom and gloom when you can’t see the sky. When you can’t go outside and breathe in a deep breath of fresh air. When precious Elders have trouble breathing in their own homes–the smoke has seeped in through cracks here and there. Our needs are so basicContinue reading “Keep Growing”
Got Auntie Stories?
I do! I wrote The Auntie Way to celebrate the love and lessons we learn and share from our Aunts. Now I’m inviting you to write and share an Auntie story. Entries for The Auntie Way Super Auntie Writing Contest are being accepted until October 12. Get those keyboards out and write a short storyContinue reading “Got Auntie Stories?”
Renewal
When fires rage through beautiful Indigenous homeland, whether mine or someone else’s, I feel sad as I think of all the living beings–human and more than human–and the devastation of habitat loss. It feels heavy and difficult. Kind of like how it feels trying to breath when enveloped with smoke. Prayers to all those impactedContinue reading “Renewal”
A Sweet Life
Last night I enjoyed a salad (made by Uncle Chris) that truly celebrates this special time of year–the in between time when summer is not yet gone and fall is not quite fully here. I love these transition-y feeling times. To me, they are a nature-inspired time to both reflect on the past and lookContinue reading “A Sweet Life”
Vision and Shade
Recently I had the good fortune to sit in the shade of maple trees planted when I was young. My parents had planted the skinny stick-trees so my grandpa would have a place to sit in the shade on summer afternoons. “Why are you bothering? I’ll be dead long before those trees provide any shade.Continue reading “Vision and Shade”
Michelle M. Jacob