09/30/2026
Today was a beautiful day to share with each other, honour each other, and connect with meaning and direction.
By request we are sharing the the speech that was given at the beginning of the ceremony by Colleen Gray, one of the committee members who helped bring the 4 Directions Stones to their resting place along the beautiful Misi Zibi waters beneath old and well loved trees.
"I hope my words today honor the strength and beauty of this circle.
The Four Directions Stones that you are standing with are placed here to acknowledge the Anishinaabe people, past and present, on this Algonquin territory known as Carleton Place.
When you stand facing the front of the stone, your back is facing the direction that the animal is facing. The animals are at the top of the stone because they are closer to the Creator than we are. Human beings have forgotten how to live in harmony with the land, but they have not. We must look up to them and learn from them.
When you turn to face the direction, the animal is looking, you will be standing with the animal spirit that represents that direction. It is behind you, protecting you from what you cannot see coming.
Stone symbols:
-The first direction on the medicine wheel is east, and the animal that represents that direction is the eagle. The color that represents this direction is yellow and it is about rising. Starting in a positive way. A new beginning.
-The next direction is south and the animal that represents that direction is the Wolf. The color that represents this direction is red and it speaks to support for each other as a whole community and not just as individuals living in a shared place.
-The western direction is the black, and it is represented by the bear. The bear is our brother and he brings healing medicine. He helps us to look towards our past at those things that we need to heal from.
-The northern direction is held by the buffalo who helps us to recognize the value of wisdom and guidance from elders who have travelled for a long time. Its color is white. It is the direction of age, experience and introspection.
It should be understood that the Indigenous people of Turtle Island have a unique understanding of what directions and colours means to their community. Not all communities have the same understanding and not all symbols mean the same thing for everyone.
Beneath each animal is its name in Anishinaabemowin, beneath that is the English translation and beneath that are 2 paddles. The paddle facing down means we are all working and paddling together towards a future that will take us places.
The paddle facing up means we are all resting and gathering strength, caring for each together until we can push forward in a good way once more.
When you stand in the centre of the stones you see a blank slate before you - a place to feel and embrace your own connection to the ancient power of a circle regardless of where your ancestors lived. The circle is universal and we all belong in it. This is where you create your own story by allowing the power of this place to filter into your heart and mind. As human beings, the hardest journey we take is the road between the heart and the mind. Being still within a circle can help to guide us.
On installation day when the stones were brought here, they were welcomed and treated with great respect by the workers. A medicine bundle was placed beneath each stone as an offering to the Earth to invite, kindness, learning, courage and kinship. Ochre was offered with the bundle to invite our Ancestors to help all who come here in need of comfort and clarity. After the installation construction was completed, the stones were sung to and smudged well. As I was leaving, I felt tremendous peace in this circle, and a deep sense of community belonging.
Now that you have an understanding of what this circle means, I’ll tell you a short story about how all this came to be.
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A good person from Lanark County Neighbors for Truth and Reconciliation said one day, “We should do this.” Others came forward and we became more than just talk. We made a plan.
When we first walked through the park with to***co, we waited for the right location to find us. We’d hoped for a sign. We found a feather in the area we that we initially thought would be perfect - and it was - it slowed us down long enough to find this place. Our first fire, our first ceremony, was just over there.
But fire and water don’t always mix, and when the spring rains came the location sometimes flooded over. It became difficult for us to acknowledge the spring ceremonies. Perhaps that initial feather was from a water bird and the Creator was testing our resolve. So, we searched again, and again we were guided by a feather to this place. And so we settled here next to a place of learning. What becomes shared and understood here will become tomorrow’s energy carried on the Misi Zibi waters along an ancient travel and trade route that has seen many paddles.
Education and acceptance are often difficult but worthwhile. Indigenous and settler communities have had many years to rest. It’s time to begin paddling one canoe all together.
This is a difficult day for many people. For this ceremony, there is a basket by the Eastern door and the basket is to accept your tears. You can leave your tissues in it and your tears will be released in a sacred fire at my home.
There is a basket of to***co. You are invited to take to***co and to pray with it. If you have children, teach them and allow them to pray also. A child’s prayer is a powerful thing.
The to***co can be released into the water or onto the Earth. Either way, your thoughts and prayers will travel and be accepted by this place. To***co is the link between your thoughts, the Creator, and the Creator’s Helpers."
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There were many people who came to honour those who survived the Residential School System and to remember those who did not come home. It was good to see so many students attending this ceremony. We are grateful to the Educators and staff who saw this as an important opportunity for learning and connection. The youth are the future of Reconciliation and we are grateful they came to learn and share with us.
Thank you to the Lanark Drum group, the Town of Carleton Place and Town Council members, Jeff and the crew from WRC Construction, the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum and all the wonderful donors who helped to make this day possible. If we did not acknowledge you, please know how much we appreciate each of you for your support.
We are grateful to all who came out and shared this time welcoming the stones to their new home in this good place. We hope you will visit often. This social media platform will continue to work at building bridges through education and awareness.
Please feel free to share your photos, questions and experiences from this day. Share the page with people who might want to be kept up to date on the ceremonies and gatherings that will happen at the 4 Directions Stones.
(My apologies for any errors or omissions that may have occurred. I was a bit nervous addressing such a large crowd)
Chi miigwetch. All My Relations.
Colleen
