LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The organizers of the Returning to the Circle Gathering are viewing the four-day event as a success and the beginning of an annual tradition.

The gathering took place at the Fort Simpson arbour from Aug. 5 to 8. Approximately 150 people attended sessions and activities at various times during each day.

Mahara Brenna of Vancouver speaks on the divine feminine Friday afternoon during the Returning to the Circle Gathering in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"This was a real learning curve," said Barb Moreau-Betsaka, the primary organizer.

Holding a spiritual gathering was one of the goals set out in the Liidlii Kue First Nation's strategic plan.

"It was to help give people a foundation so they can move forward in life and be solid in themselves," said Moreau-Betsaka, describing the gathering.

Over the weekend six speakers gave presentations at the arbour. Some of the topics included Dene laws and values, qigong energy teachings and the devine feminine - aligning women with their specific spirituality.

All of the speakers were sharing basic teachings, self-help tools that people can use to conduct themselves so they can handle obstacles in life, said Moreau-Betsaka. All of the teachings come from the Creator and are universal. Every nation has the basic teachings, although they may have different practices, she said.

"It's all about love. It's all about respect. It's all about honouring."

Moreau-Betsaka said there was a very positive atmosphere at the gathering.

"There was so much hugging and so much love you could see it and feel it," she said.

In addition to the speakers there were a variety of activities each evening including feasts, drum dances, hand games and theatrical performances.

People also had the opportunity to do sweats with Archie Weenie, see Frank Austin "Manyhorses" a traditional healer or visit Dr. Tom Kong for acupuncture, qigong and Chinese herbal prescriptions.

Moreau-Betsaka said she plans to make the gathering a yearly event. One of the outcomes she'd like to see is a shift so that women will be accepted back into the positions as leaders that they traditionally held. A step towards that was seen during the gathering when women were given permission to participate in hand games, she said.

Harriet Geddes of Fort Providence said the gathering was a good idea, because many people are interested in the topics that were discussed.

As one of the presenters, Geddes spoke on Saturday morning about traditional teas. Geddes began learning about tea and other traditional medicines from her grandmother and an aunt when she was around nine years old.

"I told the group that I never thought I'd be doing it today," she said.

Geddes shared information about peppermint, Labrador, red willow and rose hip tea. Each tea has different properties including aiding cleansing, relaxation and fighting colds.

Geddes included information about how to gather the ingredients for the teas. You should give tobacco in return if you take something and only take as much as you need and look after it, she said.

"You have to really respect it," said Geddes.

Geddes said she was pleased to see people from Fort Liard, Wrigley, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte and Deline at the gathering.

Acupuncture and energy healing aren't offered very often in the Deh Cho so it's good that people were able to access it, she said.

Marilyn Lomen was one of 11 people who attended the gathering from Trout Lake.

"The conference is really good. I learned a lot," she said.

Lomen's favourite speaker was Frank Austin "Manyhorses" from Smithers, B.C., who opened the gathering on Thursday.

"He was very inspiring," Lomen said.

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