Developed By Sharon Meyer NESD FNMI Consultant September 2015

Wind- Traditional First Nation people call the air ‘wind’ within the medicine wheel. It is an element that we cannot live without. The East gave peace and light, the South gave warmth, The West gave rain and the North, with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance….The Wind, in its greatest power whirls. THE FOUR WINDS We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one. Summer Fall Spring Winter

In First Nation teachings the air is named wind because air stands still but wind has and makes movement. Many of the powwow dances are based on the movement of wind: Grass Dance: One of the first dances that prepares the powwow gathering. Traditionally a man’s dance and their role is to prepare the dance grounds for the other dancers. They make sure to flatten the grasses for the dance area and make sure the surface is free from any bumps or holes that could create foot or ankle injuries. The fringes on the regalia represent the grass and the movement is like the wind moving the grass. Mens Grass Dance Special, First Nations University of Canada Powwow :48

Men’s Fancy Dance: This dance represents how the wind moves on earth. The men wear many colors in their regalia to represent the show of colors like lightening flashes, wind storms such as tornados. Many of the movements in the dance involve lots of twists and twirls. Lumbee Spring Pow Wow 2012 Mens Fancy Dance 1:23 Women’s Fancy Dance: Like the men’s fancy dance the women represent how the winged ones move in the wind. They represent the butterflies and bird world. Women's fancy dance 1:02 If interested in learning more about powwow dances please refer to the NESD powwow bundle and/or Curriculum corner –> Instruction –> FNMI art -> FNMIDance

The Wind has many names or is part of causes that have other names: Wind breeze typoon blizzard puff cyclone Plow wind whirlwind hurricane chinook flurry draft blow tornado gust Can you think of other words that involve the wind?

Wind is helpful by: Helping us dry clothes Helps fly a kite Provides wind power Helps us to stay cool How has wind helped you in your life?

Wind can be destructive by: Wind gales Tornado Plow wind Dust storm or sand storm Hurricane Wind can help spread wild fires Can you think of other ways that wind can be harmful?

K,%20Four%20Elements,%20Fire,%20Rock,%20Water,%20Wind.pdf Pre-K Prairie School Division unit on the elements – includes the wind Other sources about the wind: d%20-%20FN%20Enviro%20Health.pdf A document ‘Through The Eyes of a Child’ refers to environmental concerns using the elements of the medicine wheel. Ontario based but excellent reference to Mother Earth. Legend - The Origin of the Winds The Warm Wind Brothers vs. The Cold Wind Brothers Coyote Meets Wind and Some Others