Date: Early November, annually (exact date to be announced).
Location: The land where three of my ancestors once held sacred fires to the spirit world, near Elk Rapids, Michigan.
Our Teachings
Our Anishinaabe cultural teachings guide us to hold a communal feast during this sacred time, as the spirits of our loved ones return. The Anderson Ghost Supper is a way for us to show respect, love, and remembrance to our ancestors. This annual event helps ensure that the spirits of our loved ones are nourished and guided on their journey in the spirit world.
Ceremony and Tradition:
- A communal feast will be prepared, featuring traditional foods such as wild rice, venison, fish, berries, and soup.
- The spirits are served first. A designated dish will be prepared specifically for them, and a sacred fire will be lit in the tipi.
- Time for storytelling will be set aside, sharing memories, teachings, and the lives of those who have passed, keeping their spirit alive.
- Guests will be encouraged to speak to the spirits, acknowledging their presence and inviting them to join the supper as honored guests.
- The event reaffirms our traditional Anishinaabe beliefs about the afterlife and the living’s responsibility to maintain the spiritual well-being of our loved ones.
If you are interested in joining this feast, please reach out.
Land History
Back in the early 1970s, my grandfather purchased 10 acres of land with a house near Elk Rapids. Over the years, he split the property into five parcels, one for each of his children. Since then, as family members have passed and properties were sold, only three of the five parcels remain occupied by our family today.
Before my father passed, the land I’m on was gifted to him by another family member. During our conversations, he expressed a vision for this land—a gathering place where stories could be shared, the 7 Grandfather Teachings practiced, and resources provided for the next seven generations.
We honor this vision by making the Anderson Ghost Supper an annual tradition—a space to share our culture and our teachings, sustaining them for the generations to come.
Why This Gathering is Important
Did you know that Anishinaabe people were not allowed to speak our language or practice our beliefs without fear of punishment until the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978? Today, we still face prejudice, but it’s important for us to share and educate our community. By doing so, we hope to foster understanding and remind others that our ways are deeply rooted in respect and reverence for Mother Earth.
If you would like to learn more or join us in honoring our ancestors, please contact me. Together, we can create a space of remembrance, understanding, and cultural continuity.