Keith Bird was born in Lestock, SK and is of Cree and Saulteaux descent. One corner contains only six lines, representing unfinished ceremony. The lines on each corner contain the number seven which is the seven movements of the pipe ceremony. The inner circle contains the life-long prayers and excursions away from the spiritual path, and bubbles of important spiritual events within the life circle. The misshaped circle around the spirit beings, both male and female, is the circle of life within the circle of the universe. The yellow, white, red and blue dots represent the seasonal elements. The bottom of the painting depicts sunrise and sunset the length of time which people dance at these spiritual events. Today, Elk Whistle is called Eagle Whistle because it is made from an eagle’s wing bone. The spiritual origins of Elk Whistle is from the Elk Spirit which gave Aboriginal people the whistle that is used in the Sundance and Raindance. The sharing of cultural knowledge creates a better understanding between the diverse cultures. I believe that cultural teachings are pertinent to society as a whole, as it is a basis for personal identity. The handing down of spiritual and cultural information is a common practise within Aboriginal culture, and art is a great vehicle for any information. I believe that these teachings should not go way of the dodo but continue to have reverence and a use in contemporary societies. This showing is about Aboriginal spiritual teachings and the refreshing of old stories and spiritual practises that may have been forgotten or are no longer used in this generation. University of Regina President’s Art Collection pc.2012.10 Reproduced with the permission of the artist.
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