Winter blessing provides cultural insight to season

A ceremony to recognize tribal culture and the significance of the winter season is scheduled later this month at the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe's "Winter Blessing" is free and open to the public. The event will include drummers, dancers, a display of historical artifacts, and offerings of frybread and huckleberry jam. Each session will be blessed with a smudging of sweetgrass smoke. There will also be a video of the late Lawrence Aripa, well known throughout the Northwest for his coyote stories.

The Winter Blessing will be at the Stensgar Pavilion on Feb. 25-27. "It's very important to understand the significance of the winter season and how we view it within our cultural life," said Marketing Director Laura Stensgar. "The winter season is a time to reflect on the year that's just passed and to prepare for the year to come. This is a unique way to view tribal culture and it's a unique opportunity for our guests to experience some of the culture and learn more about the tribe."

Cultural Affairs Director Cliff SiJohn and tribal member Mark Stanger will share the storytelling."This is one of the things we do to help build a great understanding of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe," Stensgar said. "By sharing our time and our traditions, we create an event where people come away with a much better understanding of the tribe and its endeavors."

Sessions will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Feb. 25-26, and 6-7:30 Feb. 27.