Creativity

Reflections of A Turtle

As far back as I can remember, I had an inner force that would reveal itself in different creative ways. Have you ever made "mudpies" as a child? That is one of my earliest memory of creating something of beauty in my eyes. Feeling the squishy mud between my fingers, adding more water, more mud until the consistency was just right. I thoroughly enjoyed patting the muddy dough into a round form, then splat, splat, splat it was ready. I imagined in my mind that I was cooking a bannock. It wasn't the finished product that mattered so much, but rather the process and all the feelings that accompanied that. That was the beginnings of my creativity.


I believe creativity has to be nurtured, for it to grow into a talent. I have known some very talented people and wished I could be just as creative as they were. I have also been very privelaged to have friends and family who have nurtured my creativity. Without all those first nudges to continue in whatever I was learning and creating, then the talents wouldn't have materialized.



My first experiments were often funny, such as the first time a friend and I made homemade bread. They looked so delicious in the oven, but we unknowingly placed them to close to the top. All the tops of the bread burnt black, much to our chagrin. They looked like army boots, all shined up!




The reason I am writing about creativity is because of how much time I spend in this area of my life. From the first time I sewed curtains for my room (which weren't the greatest, but they covered the window) to my very latest project. I have been creating and building talents to share with my family, friends and community. I am still amazed at the power of other people's encouragements to help me along my way. Here is a beautiful project I made several years ago, which has seen the ravages of time, but it is still lovely to wear.

These are things I never thought I could do, but I have found out that I can. I do enjoy being a creative person and I hope to continue developing more talents.

Reflections of a Turtle

Reflections of a Turtle

This is my first ever blog. My new adventures into writing. I like to read and I like to write. I am working towards writing a book, which is one of my dreams.

I choose the turtle as my guide because in my Ojibway culture, my Spirit name is "White Turtle." I came by that name, during my search to reclaim my native culture. I realize now that "Kitchi Manitou" had been waiting to give me that name.

Way back in the 80's I had a dream of an animal in the water. In this dream, I felt as if the animal was me. I could see the murky water, weeds and I could feel myself navigating my way through the underwater plants. When I woke up from this dream, I wondered what it all meant. I thought I dreamt of a beaver, I never made a connection to a turtle at that time, until I was given my Spirit name. I was not at all into native spirituality and was completely disconnected to my culture. What a complete turn-around this journey has been for me. In the past fifteen years, I have come to know more about myself as I explored my name and everything that it represented.

According to my knowledge, the turtle is a creature that can live in water, or on land. The turtle lays eggs in the sand then leaves the eggs to incubate and hatch on their own. Newly hatched turtles seek the water and many do not make it to their adult life. In the prairies we have turtles in the rivers, creeks and marshes much like the picture that is posted. They are called the Painted Turtle.

In my Ojibway culture, the turtle represents Truth in the Seven Teachings. Turtle is the slowest moving creature on land, but in the spirit world it is the fastest. Turtle is the oldest living creature since the beginning of time, and North America is represented with the turtle's back. The turtle is also the keeper of the moon (Women's time) teachings.

I do not pretend to know alot about my culture, as I don't. I humbly accept that I am still learning. When I was given my Spirit name "White Turtle," we went as a family. It was a scary experience for me, as I didn't know what to expect. I had heard so much of the "bad medicine" kind of stuff when I was growing up, that this created some tension in my spirit. I was to be completely floored by the astounding accuracy of each of the names that were given to my family. In fact on the way to the elder's home, one of my children had just finished talking about a facet of her soon to be spirit name. When she was given her name, there it was! Now, how did he know to call her that name? I didn't understand at the time, but now I do.

For me, White Turtle means just who I am. All of my life, I have taken care of children. First, I took care of my brothers and sisters, then other children through babysitting jobs. Next, through my first place of employment which was the daycare. Then, I was a Nursery School Teacher and lastly through the Head Start Program. Through the years, I have seen children grow up before my eyes. Just like the turtle who lays it's eggs in the sand, then leaves the eggs to hatch on their own. That is what I have been to the children I have taught. Occasionally, I hear from the parents of the children I have taught. Their lovely comments make me feel good that I have made a difference in the lives of their children. Children themselves will also come to me and remember me. I had left them with something to help them face the future, though they didn't know it. What a great task "Kitchi Manitou" has given me to do.

White Turtle also means that I must always speak truth. Truth isn't always easy especially if you have to bring it to others. White speaks to me of being pure and clean. I have to always check to see if my motives are as such. On the otherhand, there are those negative aspects of my name White Turtle. I tend to hide myself when something has to be dealt with. This is especially evident in times of conflict. Yes, this turtle will hide it's legs, arms, head, even it's little tail. As well, I can also turn into a "snapping turtle." Yikes! My husband doesn't want to be near me when this happens. I can tear the flesh quite well. I have learned about myself though and this is something I am working on.

Yes, I am still learning about my Spirit name. I am sure there are more things that "Kitchi Manitou" will show me to help me on my journey. I continue to be amazed at the deepness, refreshing and joy it brings to my soul to know who I really was from the beginning.

White Turtle Woman

Phyllis Racette