Editorial Note
“Whispering of the Earth” is a multi-part poem that explores land-based knowledge through the four sacred medicines of the Nihitho – tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass – culminating in the crocus as a symbol of renewal. Unlike other pieces in this collection that focus on single memories or foods, this poem aims to capture a broader vision of traditions, medicines, ceremonies, and seasons in a unified act of praise and pedagogy. By highlighting the Nihitho’s sacred medicines, the poem intertwines practical knowledge with spiritual relationships, emphasizing that land-based knowledge is embodied and passed through generations rather than stored in books. The closing line about carrying “the rhythm of the land in our hearts” serves as a profound reminder of this connection.
I. A Dance with the Land
In the embrace of the earth, where whispers unfold,
A tapestry of knowledge, woven in stories untold.
Beneath the vast skies, in each breath of the breeze,
Lies a wisdom ancestral, carried through trees.
The soil, the rivers, the mountains so grand,
Teach us their secrets, a language unplanned.
In nature’s rich rhythm, we learn to respect
The sacred connection that we must protect.
With each step on this land, with each sunrise anew,
We awaken to teachings that nature imbues.
The songs of the seasons, the cycles of life
Guide our hearts gently, through calm and through strife.
For in the roots of the past, in the present’s embrace,
Lies a pedagogy sacred, a pathway to grace.
Let us gather the lessons, let our spirits expand,
As we dance with the rhythms of this wondrous land.
II. The Four Sacred Medicines of the Nihitho
In the heart of the Nihitho’s embrace,
Four sacred medicines find their place –
Tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, and cedar,
Each is a thread in nature’s grand tapestry, forever.
III. Tobacco: Smoke of Respect
Tobacco, the offering to sacred skies,
A bridge between worlds, where the spirit flies.
In humble gestures, we lay it down
For the Creator’s guidance, a humble crown.
An ancient pact with land and beast,
A call for wisdom, a sacred feast.
IV. Sage: The Cleansing
Sage, cloaked in whispers of time,
With smoke that dances, with purpose sublime.
In sacred smudging, it clears the air,
Negative energies caught unaware.
Purity rises as we seek to align
With spirits, the stars, and the divine.
Tradition’s balm for ailments severe,
Colds and flus disappear in its sphere.
Inflammation melts beneath its grace,
Minor wounds healed in nature’s embrace.
Each leaf a lesson, respect’s gentle hand,
Binding our hearts to the wisdom of the land.
V. Cedar: The Guardian
Cedar, a sentinel, strong and wise,
With deep-rooted stories beneath the skies.
Its scent, a balm for weary souls –
In sweat lodges, it heals, it consoles.
The smoke on the wind carries prayers high
To the Creator, where our hopes lie.
Crafted into vessels, canoes, and tools,
A symbol of resilience that forever schools.
Cedar branches cradle the earth’s gentle heart,
A reminder of harmony in every part.
From bedding to clothing, its gifts intertwine
With nature’s heartbeat- we are designed.
VI. Sweetgrass: The Healer
Sweetgrass, braided strands of the divine,
Unity of spirit, where we intertwine.
Its sweet aroma, a song in the breeze,
Invites positive spirits and calms the mind.
In sacred gatherings, it whispers of grace,
A reflection of the kindness we share in this space.
With each gentle braid, a connection profound-
Past, present, future, in balance is found.
As we honour the traditions, we learn to bestow
Harmony’s teachings in every soft blow.
VII. Crocus: A Promise of Spring
Crocus blooms bright, herald of spring –
In its violet petals, hope takes wing.
A symbol of strength, resilience unfolds
As nature awakens from winter’s cold holds.
This herald of change calls us to heed:
Nature’s cycles remind us of every good deed.
With patience we learn, as the crocus appears,
The cycle of life leads us through fears.
Used with care, its potent gift shared
For headaches and pains, it shows that it was cared for.
In the warmth of the sun, life starts anew,
A dance with the seasons, a cycle so true.
VIII. In Every Breath, Connection
In this sacred communion with earth and the sky,
We gather the teachings, and we learn to reply.
Each plant is a teacher; each ceremony is a song –
In the rhythm of nature, we all belong.
So let us walk gently, with reverence and grace.
In the heart of the Nihitho, we find our place.
These sacred medicines, a gift from the land,
Guide our spirits with their tender hand.
Rooted in the past, yet present today,
In the dance of existence, we find our way.
We gather wisdom; we carry the song.
In the spirit of learning, with gratitude profound,
We honour the lessons that nature surrounds.
Each plant, each whisper, each gentle breeze
Tells of connections that flow through the trees.
In our hearts, we hold the stories anew
Of the land that has nurtured, and the sky ever blue.
Through the cycles of seasons, from struggle to grace,
We’ve walked through the teachings that time can’t erase.
Rooted in knowledge, we now take our stand
As stewards of wisdom, we cherish this land.
May we move with intention, our spirits aligned,
In harmony with nature, our hearts intertwined.
For in every ending, a new journey starts,
As we carry the rhythm of the land in our hearts.
About the Author
Editor's Remarks
Regan Yetman’s “Whispers of the Earth” is a poem reflecting significant spiritual and intellectual ambition. The author moves beyond mere descriptions of sacred medicines, treating each plant as a unique teacher with its own lessons and connections to the communities that have nurtured it. By giving each medicine its own named section, the poem honours its individuality rather than generalizing “traditional medicine.” The poem also highlights key themes, particularly in the line “a pedagogy sacred, a pathway to grace,” which reclaims the term “pedagogy” as part of a long-standing Indigenous tradition. This integration of academic language within an Indigenous context exemplifies the intellectual work that this special issue aims to celebrate. Overall, it is a mature and deeply felt piece of writing. (Dr. Ying Kong)