Giiwedinong Celebrates 3rd Annual Días de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Block Party!
Miigwech to all of the wonderful communities who joined us for our 3rd Annual Días de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Block Party! We sincerely hope that everyone had a truly great time celebrating and honoring their loved ones who have sadly passed on.
Your enthusiastic participation and kind support truly made this event a truly unique and memorable experience for everyone involved, fostering enduring relationships and priceless moments that all attendees will undoubtedly remember fondly for years to come.
The impact of your engagement will resonate with us, enriching our community and fostering a sense of togetherness that we deeply value.
We are particularly grateful to Vallartas Mexican Grill for providing us with delicious food, to Ana and Guillermo for graciously sharing their vibrant culture and artistic talent, to the Armory Arts & Events Center for kindly opening their space for us all to gather and celebrate, to the Horse Nation Academy and their beautiful ponies and horses for adding an extra element of joy, and most definitely to all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make it all happen.
The connection we have with our relatives of the indigenous peoples of México and the Michoacán or Anishinaabenowin, 'Memengwaa,' traveling from the north to México, arriving at the time of Días de los Muertos for the winter.
In March, the Memengwaa (Monarchs) begin their return to North America. They lay eggs and nectar as they migrate. We look forward to welcoming the Memengwaa (Monarchs) next year and another Días de los Muertos gathering.
Migrating monarch butterflies return to Mexico each year around the same time as Día de Muertos, a celebration from November 1st to 2nd honoring the dead. Families gather at gravesites, creating altars with photos, offerings, sugar skulls, marigolds, and candles, sharing food and stories to remember loved ones.
Historian Chavez noted that for the Purepecha and Mazahua people of Michoacán, the butterfly's arrival signals the corn harvest and is seen as the souls of the deceased visiting for Día de Muertos.
However, monarch butterfly populations face significant threats from various human activities, including the use of BT corn, as well as mining and logging practices in their habitats. These challenges highlight the urgent need for their protection and preservation. It is essential to understand why we should honor our relatives in nature and take active steps to care for them.
Video of Day of the Dead Michoacán México.
This is a great video story to share with your families about the history and culture.
