DESCRIPTION: The Sundance is a ceremony of purification, spiritual rebirth and healing of the body, emotions, mind and spirit. Sundancers make a four-year commitment to dance to empower themselves with the knowledge of how to deal with difficult life situations, illness, addictions, social issues and others. It helps dancers and participants become resilient, independent and strong.

The Sundance Lodge is constructed in a circular form with the head Tree in the center and rafters connecting all structural components. The main Tree is male and the other components, the columns and rafters, are female trees. Stalls are made for the Sundancers inside the Lodge’s perimeter, and ample space is available inside the Lodge for supporters and participants.

The Sundance Chief and his partner-in-life are head Elders in the Lodge. Other Elders, healers, singers/drummers, and helpers are part of the team responsible for running the ceremony. The family members and relatives of dancers, visitors, and others may also attend the Sundance to participate and support the dancers.

BRIEF HISTORY: Sundance gatherings began in the early 1700s as a fulfillment of a Native American prophecy that dictated the ceremony would one day come to the people. Its use spread among many tribes throughout North America in the 1800s. In the early 1900s, governments banned these gatherings because they thought they interfered with implementing their assimilation policy. During that time, the governments did all they could to eradicate North American indigenous cultural and spiritual traditions.

Then in the mid-1900s, Sundance had a new beginning. In 1978, a new Bill, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, was enacted, which allowed First Nations peoples to practice their religious traditions again. Since then, many tribes across North America, including the Cree, have openly practiced the Sundance ceremony, and its spirit and healing power continues to grow.

Over the years, certain governments, including the United Nations, have enacted human rights laws to protect the rights, titles, and freedoms of Indigenous peoples, opening doors for First Nations to practice their spiritual and religious traditions openly. For example, Article 12 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples reads:

“Indigenous peoples have the right to manifest, practice, develop and teach their spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies; the right to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to their religious and cultural sites; the right to use and control their ceremonial objects….”

Many thanks to the Indigenous leaders of the world for speaking out and helping to promote global recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights to continue pursuing spiritual strength.

WHEN DOES THE SUNDANCE TAKE PLACE?: The Whapmagoostui Sundance takes place each year in the first week of July and lasts for four (4) days, starting on a Thursday and ending on Sunday. Throughout the year, we have four (4) Sundance meetings to keep the Sundance spirit strong, accepting new dancers, and supporting current ones, their families and community members.

Sundance Itinerary

NOTE: It is important to note that various ceremonies are scheduled for each day of the Gathering. Other ceremonies may occur at the blessing of the Sundance Chief, his spouse, and the leading Elders.

Daily Schedule of Events

Day 1 (Thursday)

Our 4th Sundance Meeting takes place at the Cultural Camp (cabin on the north side), beginning at 9:00 p.m. Those who wish to make a 4-year commitment to Sundance must attend if they have not attended the previous three meetings.

Dancers must already have what they need: flags and eagle whistles (if you don’t have one, we will give you one). Men dancers must have their wrap (red cloth worn around the waist), and women dancers must wear long skirts. Flags are 1 square meter of broadcloth, representing your colours. If you haven’t asked for your colours, you may bring blue and white cloth (1 sq. meter each). You must also have your sage bracelets (sage wrapped in red cloth and worn around wrists and ankles).

Sacred Fire will be lit before sundown.

Who may attend? Aside from the Sundance Chief, his family, helpers, and Sundancers – elders, Sundancers’ relatives, friends, supporters, and anyone interested in learning about the Sundance and wishing to experience it may attend.

All are welcome!

Day 2 (Friday)

The day begins with a sunrise ceremony. All Dancers must be present.

Nest Ceremony: The Nest placed on the Sundance Tree represents the nest of the Thunder Beings (the king of the winged ones).  Seven (7) men [who’ve lost a parent (s)] will get the willow for the Nest. A leader of the ceremony will accompany them. They will bring the willows and place them where the nest will be placed on the Sundance Tree.

Tree of Life Ceremony: Male dancers will fetch the Sundance Tree (placed at the center of the Lodge). During this time, the female dancers will prepare the center of the Lodge where the Tree will be placed. The Sundance Chief will receive the Tree in the ceremony. Then the Nest will be placed on the Tree, and the Sundance cloth (minimum of seven different colours) will be placed around the Tree from top to bottom. Once this is done, the Tree will then be placed upright in its place in the Lodge. A feast will then follow in honour of the grandfather Tree.

Sundance Lodge Construction: All male dancers will gather poles to be used for columns and rafters of the Lodge and stalls (for the dancers) inside the lodge. Women will gather willows for flags (used to decorate the Lodge), and spruce boughs and place them inside the stalls and at the altar.

Sacred Fire: The Sacred Fire at a Sundance represents the Great Spirit’s Light. It will be placed in front of the Sundance Lodge and lit at sundown.

Dancers enter the Lodge: All dancers will enter the Lodge at sundown with their sacred items (pipe (pipe carriers), flags, whistles), and the ceremony begins. Participants (and visitors) may enter the Lodge.

The Ceremony begins with the Sundance Chief, his spouse, and the main Elders in a Pipe Ceremony. Sundance Chief then welcomes everyone, and the singing starts. Sundancers introduce themselves to the Sacred Tree, and the dancing continues.

Just before midnight, the Sundancers are then retired for the night.Day 3 (Saturday)

Day 3 (Saturday) ceremony

Pipe Men will offer a Sacred Pipe from the altar to the Sundance Chief, Elders, Singers, and Helpers, and the Ceremony will begin.

Ceremonies within the Lodge: Following the Sunrise Ceremony, the Sundance will begin with the men’s Hanging ceremony, then Piercing and Dragging ceremonies will be done. Each ceremony will be led by a ceremonial leader. The women’s Piercing Ceremony will follow after the men’s. In the afternoon, the Buffalo Dance and other ceremonies will follow.

Other ceremonies: Gifting (people receiving pipes and other sacred items), naming (people asking for their Spirit Names), adopting (people wishing to adopt others as adopted relatives), and other ceremonies may take place.

Fire Ceremony:  At around 6 p.m., the Fire Ceremony with seven men (in mourning over a lost parent). They will share their story and offer to kindle the fire for this ceremony.

Doctoring: Doctoring administered by gifted healers will follow the Fire Ceremony. Gifted healers will attend to anyone needing help in their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state.

Once the doctoring ceremony is done, the Dancers will be retired for the night.

Day 4 (Sunday)

Note: Ceremonies are scheduled for the day; however, it is important to know that the Sundance ceremony takes a course of its own. So other activities such as naming, adoptions, and gifting may occur at the blessing of the Sundance Chief, his spouse, and the main Elders.

Sunrise ceremony: Pipe men will offer a Sacred Pipe from the altar to the Sundance Chief, Elders, Singers, and Helpers, and the Sunrise Ceremony will begin. Everyone will face East and look at and honour Grandfather Sun (a “life-giver” serving the Great Spirit) as he rises over the horizon.

Following the Sunrise Ceremony, the Sundance will then begin with Hanging, Piercing and Dragging ceremonies. The Women’s Piercing Ceremony will follow. These ceremonies may take many hours.

Men’s Hanging, Piercing and Dragging ceremonies: Men will do the hanging, piercing and dragging ceremonies.

Women’s Piercing Ceremony: Women’s Piercing Ceremony will follow the men’s. Female Sundance Elders will lead this ceremony.

Other Ceremonies: Gifting (people receiving pipes and other sacred items), naming (people asking for their Spirit Names), adopting (people wishing to adopt others as adopted relatives), and other ceremonies may take place.

Children’s Ceremony: Children (with the permission of their parents, relatives, or guardians) dressed up as Sundancers or other traditional clothing will participate in the Children’s Ceremony. They will come into the Lodge to be honoured as successors for present generations, to carry over Ancestral knowledge and wisdom, Eeyou language, culture and way of life.

Give-Away Ceremony: Sundance Chief/spouse and Dancers who are finishing their 4th Year will do a giveaway in gratitude to the Great Spirit for granting life and divine guidance to all who participated in the Sundance

Windigokan Ceremony: The Sundance ceremony will end with the Windigokan Dancers. This is the last ceremony of the Sundance.

First Drink: Following the Windigokan ceremony, Dancers leave the Lodge and receive their first drink of water from the Sundance Chief and his spouse.

Feast: A community feast will then follow in honour of the Dancers.

The Ceremony is done!

Sundance Guidelines

Deciding To Sundance

To dance or not to dance is your own personal decision. Do not allow others to make the decision for you. You must have a reason to dance. For example, you can dance for your own healing, for someone in your family who may be sick or may be faced with a difficult life situation, or for a friend who may be sick, for a person who cannot dance for disability, grieving or other. You may also dance for the healing of Mother Earth and the well-being of all beings in the natural World.

Give yourself time, at least one year, to prepare for your dance. Once decided, you give a tobacco offering to the Sundance Chief and explain why you have decided to dance. Remember, you’re making a four-year commitment to Sundance.

What You Need To Dance

For men, your sacred colours, an eagle whistle (one will be given to you if you don’t have one), a wrap (worn like a skirt) and a Sundance badge (one will be given to you if you don’t have one).

For women: a long skirt, sacred colours, an eagle whistle and a Sun Dance badge (one will be given to you if you don’t have one). Women on their Moon Time will have a special lodge built outside of the perimeters of the Sundance Lodge. You will still be Sundancing.

All dancers will need warm clothing (in case it gets cold), bedding (mattress, sleeping bag, pillow) and a polyethylene tarp (in case it rains). If you smoke, you may bring in cigarettes (Menthols are the best).

Attending Sundance Meetings

Sundance meetings take place four (4) times a year. This is done to keep the Spirit of Sundance alive and strong. If you decide to Sundance, you must attend at least one of 4 Sundance meetings. You may attend all four meetings. It’s all up to you.

The 4th meeting occurs one evening before the Sundance ceremony begins on Friday. If you miss all four meetings, the Sundance Chief has the right to refuse you because it could get very difficult for you throughout the course of the ceremony. In this case, you may start the following summer, but you can attend the Sundance meetings over the course of the year. 

Who May Attend a Sundance?

Aside from Sundance Elders, special guests, drummers/singers and helpers – supporters of dancers, dancer’s family members, individuals needing help in their lives or doctoring by gifted healers, and anyone wishing to witness and experience a Sundance may attend the ceremony. 

The Whapmagoostui Sundance does not discriminate against members of other world nations. Any member of the world nations may attend. However, because of limited space in a Sundance Lodge, priority is given to Cree or other First Nations members needing healing and a better and healthy life. In a Sundance, each day, prayers are sent to all nations of the world.

Ground Rules

The Sundance site is Sacred Ground. It is here we pray to the Great Spirit for guidance, give thanks for life, and show our respect for and honour all life.  The following are guidelines we follow during and after the Sundance:

• • Absolutely no food or water is to be brought close to the Lodge.

• • Absolutely no drugs or alcohol are allowed on Sacred Grounds.

• • No cell phones are allowed inside the Lodge.

• • Inside the Lodge, cigarette butts must not be disposed of on the ground (Butt cans will be available).

• • No swearing inside the Sacred Grounds is allowed.

• • No spitting inside or around the Lodge.

• • Arguing or any type of open conflict will not be tolerated within the Sacred Grounds.

• • Garbage must be picked up and placed in appropriate containers.

• • Absolutely no electronic devices such as iPods or mp3 players and no loud music around the Lodge will be allowed.

• • No sexual activity should take place inside the Sacred Grounds during the course of the Bahkudassimouwin Ceremony.

• • For dancers, abstinence from sex at least four days before and after the ceremony is recommended.

• • Parents are advised to closely watch over their children.

• • If you choose to camp out at the Site, please be mindful of your neighbours and put lights out after the ceremony (night break).

• • Bring your own plates, utensils and cups for the feast

• • Women on their Moon Time should not go in past the boundary around the Lodge.

• • Be prepared for all types of weather (hot, cold, rain, fog, etc.).

• • No pets are allowed on the ceremonial grounds.

• • If you see children making mischief around the ceremonial grounds, intervene in a good way (Don’t get upset).

• • Remember: help out where help is needed.