As part of AEI’s commitment to nurturing student wellness through cultural teachings and community connection, both Nipissing Campus and Munsee-Delaware Campus welcomed the Full Moon under Ziisbaakdoke Giizis — the Sugaring Moon. This moon signals the return of warmth, movement, and abundance: the snow begins to melt, the sap prepares to run, and new life stirs across the land.

Both campuses offered ceremonies grounded in tradition, reflection, and renewal. Each ceremony was unique to the knowledge and teachings of the facilitators who led them.

Nipissing Campus Full Moon Ceremony Led by Knowledge Keeper Carol Twance

The Nipissing Campus ceremony opened with “Calling in Our Four Grandfathers,” sung and drummed by AEI’s Social Media & Communications Coordinator, Abigail Yzereef, with Knowledge Keeper Carol Twance accompanying on rattle. This song welcomes the Grandfathers from the Four Directions, inviting support and guidance into the circle.

Participants smudged, received tobacco, and placed their offerings into the sacred fire. A young Helper, Rogan, served as the evening’s firekeeper, tending the fire with care. This experience was an important learning opportunity for him, and Carol guided him through his responsibilities with patience, encouragement, and teachings.

Carol then carried her sacred pipe around the circle, inviting participants to greet the pipe and place their prayers with Creator. She explained that the pipe connects each person directly to Grandmother Moon, who receives and holds those prayers.

From there, Carol shared teachings of Ziisbaakdoke Giizis — the Sugaring Moon, reminding everyone that this moon marks a powerful time to begin again. The sap will soon run in the maple trees, animals will soon welcome their young, and the land itself prepares for renewal. Carol invited participants to reflect on the changes they wish to make, and what they are ready to let go of as the season shifts.

Participants then shared why they come to Full Moon Ceremony and, if they felt comfortable, offered their prayers with the group strengthening connection, vulnerability, and community.

Next, Ode’min (strawberries) were blessed and shared. As the berry of the heart, strawberries symbolize unconditional love. Participants ate the berries and offered some to the fire, leaves and all, carrying their love and gratitude into the flames.

Water in a copper teapot was blessed as Abigail sang the Water Song. Copper, known for its energetic and purifying qualities, helps create powerful “moon water” when combined with the full moon’s energy. Participants received this water to support cleansing, balance, and healing.

With tobacco offered to the fire and prayers shared with Creator, the ceremony closed with the Travelling Song, bringing the circle to a gentle close. The night ended with a feast of pasta dishes and salad, offering time to visit, reflect, and share in community.

Munsee-Delaware Campus Full Moon Ceremony Hosted in Collaboration with Munsee-Delaware Nation & Facilitated by Amanda Doxtator

Munsee-Delaware Campus held a beautiful ceremony facilitated by Amanda Doxtator, who brought Haudenosaunee teachings and structure to the gathering. Sixteen participants attended, creating a warm and meaningful circle.

The evening began with smudging and introductions. Amanda shared that she leads Full Moon Ceremony in the Haudenosaunee way and offered part of the creation story of Grandmother Moon, speaking to her lineage as a direct descendant of Sky Woman.

Participants smudged their water bottles, placed their prayers inside them, and poured a small amount into a shared copper bowl, symbolizing unity and collective intention.

Amanda guided the group through a Four Door Ceremony, each door marked by song and a specific focus:

Door One: Prayers for the World

Participants offered prayers for healing, balance, and the well-being of all living things.

Door Two: Prayers for Community

A song was shared for families, friends, and community members who support and uplift us.

Door Three: Prayers for Self

Participants created small tobacco pouches and prayed for what they personally needed — love, health, abundance, or clarity. Amanda gently reminded participants not to pray for patience or strength, as those often call forward new challenges.

Door Four: The Sacred Fire

Participants moved outside to the fire to offer their tobacco pouches. Amanda encouraged them to rub their hands together and move the warm energy over any areas where they felt heaviness, releasing that energy into the fire. She also splashed prayer water from the copper bowl onto the flames.

Back inside, participants received some of their blessed water to leave in the moonlight overnight and drink the next day. The ceremony closed with a shared meal, allowing space to connect, reflect, and ground.

A Shared Commitment to Renewal

While the ceremonies at Nipissing and Munsee-Delaware were guided through the distinct teachings of Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Knowledge Keepers, both evenings offered reminders of gratitude, healing, connection to land, moon, and spirit, community care, and new beginnings.

Miigwech to Knowledge Keepers Carol Twance and Amanda Doxtator for their guidance and teachings, to Rogan for his dedication and willingness to learn in his role as firekeeper, Munsee-Delaware Nation for co-hosting, and all students and community members who attended.

Your presence, prayers, and openness made these Full Moon Ceremonies meaningful and memorable across both campuses.