Cindy remembers that in 1981 when her first child was born, the drumming began in her heart and the yearning to 'come home again' began. Home to Cindy is the area known as Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. On this land, they have the mighty Anamikiewakchu meaning Thunder Mountain, also known as Mount McKay, which is one of the world's oldest topographical features, dating back 500 million years. It is the nesting place of the Thunderbirds. The 1,600-foot plateau of Mount McKay provides a striking view of Ktichigaming (meaning big lake for Lake Superior) and faces Nanabijou (the Sleeping Giant) which is another sacred area. This is where Cindy came to remember who she is.
Missing a traditional Indigenous upbringing can be a common experience for many Indigenous people living on Turtle Island. Their culture and way of life was interrupted centuries ago and continues to be interrupted today by the dominant colonial society. This interference includes not being connected to the land, loss of community, losing their traditional languages, and a disconnect from their culture, all crucial aspects of their Indigenous identity. In some cases, the first time they are introduced to their culture is when they come to an urban setting while receiving medical services (diabetes is claiming many lives), attending post-secondary institutions, receiving rehabilitation for drugs or alcohol, or, while being incarcerated. Like Cindy's mental health and domestic abuse experiences, this disconnect can create devastating and life altering identity issues. The Spiritual and cultural support Cindy provided to the inmates at a maximum-security remand centre amplified the importance of identity and purpose especially to the Indigenous inmates that were also experiencing a disconnect from their culture and traditional practices.
The book 'Walking with Grey Wolf' was written to honour the vision that Cindy received in 2006 and describes her personal Spiritual journey and the supernatural or Spiritual experiences along the way, including being introduced to her Indigenous ceremonies and practices for the first time. The period between her breakthrough (or breakdown) in 2004 and her first years of learning to be a Lodgekeeper beginning in 2007, and more, is documented in this first book. Cindy's intention is that while you are searching for meaning within your own life, her book and sharing of her experiences may provide you with inspiration and trigger a memory within your own heart and Spirit. With an openness and a willingness to notice the many messages that you are receiving every day, you too could find your Spiritual guidance within yourself.
This was the first time she had received a vision and so it was imperative to Cindy that she share and honour this vision. One way that she is doing that is through this book. It was also extremely important to Cindy to obtain a proper interpretation of this vision. She knew intuitively that her quality of life depended on this interpretation.
Some of the supernatural or Spiritual experiences that you could read about include receiving her Spirit name and clan, experiences with the Memegwesiwag (or the Little Rock People), experiences with Sa'be (or Sasquatch), first sweat lodge, first shake tent ceremony, how waabi-ma'iingan (or grey wolf) and makwa (the bear) guided her, listening to a spider, gifts received from other dimensions, experiencing beings from other dimensions, how Cindy learned she is a Lodgekeeper and the birth of her first Teaching Lodge, being initiated into the Midewin Lodge, and so many more.
This book is dedicated to you, to remember how magnificent you are and identifying your life purpose. Cindy is extremely grateful to you for this opportunity to share her personal Spiritual journey with you. Cindy is so honoured to have you here with her. She invites you to be part of this rite of passage with her. The teachings state that if you can help one person...
