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2025 Winter Retreat - You are a part of me I do not yet know.... An Ojibwe Experience


  • Camp Ononia 14202 Shakopee Lake Road Onamia, MN, 56359 United States (map)

A Story

Mewinzha – a long time ago, newborn children were often spent significant periods of time in their cradle board (dikinaagan). Aunties, moms, grandmothers, sisters, would swaddle babies snuggly and carry them as they went to harvest, gather, pray, - with Mother Earth (Aki nimamma). In their dikinaagan, the child would hang from a strong branch of a tree with the songs of the winds, waters, birds, critters of all kinds. After thousands of hours with Creation all around them, they would know the language.


Traditional methods of Western education include reading, reciting, studying, testing, etc. We enter a lecture with pens and notepads, laptops, etc. We look to gather information and get it tested to indicate our knowledge. We seem to “DO” education.

Indigenous ways are about relationship. A traditional introduction would include the name by which my Creator calls me, and the clan which determines duties and obligations to my people, and the land from which I was born – gave me my original education and purpose.

Our Prayer for this Ojibway journey is to offer you experience with the elements of Earth, Wind, Fire & Water, and the sacred medicines of Tobacco (assemma), Sweetgrass (wingushk), Sage (maskodaywushk) & Cedar (giizhik) You will experience this through ceremonies involving food, fire, water, self, and each other. Of course the greatest medicine we can offer is Ourselves.


Our Retreat Leader - Ishkode’ Bine (Fire Bird)

Ishkode’ Bine (Fire Bird) of the Ojibway Marten Clan, or Greg Herman (his government name) currently lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with his wife Ann. His life of 74 years has included 53+ years of marriage, being a father to 4 children, a grandfather to 7, 50 years as a Speech Language Pathologist, and a lifetime of growing to enjoy the mysteries of life. He is a first degree of the Three Fires Mide Medicine Lodge.

Ishkode’ Bine has his roots in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His childhood was on the Straits of Mackinac where three bodies of water converge as they journey to the Atlantic Ocean. His family moved to the village of Newberry, Michigan when he was 7. So, the east end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was his stomping ground, always near water and the lands of his ancestors.

He grew up deeply rooted in the Roman Catholic religion. Through a variety of circumstances, Fire Bird began a journey on the Red Road, the ways of his Ojibway ancestors, around the age of 50. This coincided with his journey of addiction recovery. Many Ojibway teachings are consistent with Christian ways. A few are significantly different. The Ojibway creation story is significantly different. One of his first teachings was this: “everybody has a story and every story is good”. Ishkode’ Bine has grown to embrace differences rather than resent them. This growth contributes significantly to his good life (mino bimaadiziwin).



Retreat Details:

  • The cost of the retreat is $300. If money is an issue some financial assistance is available.

  • The Retreat begins at 5:00pm, Friday, January 31, 2025 and ends at 1pm, Sunday, February 2, 2025. Its all good for you NFL fans…This is the weekend between the playoffs and the Superbowl!

  • The cost of the retreat includes six meals: dinner Friday night; breakfast, lunch & dinner on Saturday; and breakfast & lunch on Sunday.

  • The retreat center will accommodate two men to a room. Each room has its own private bathroom.

  • You will need to bring a sleeping bag or sheets/blankets for a twin size mattress and a pillow. Also bring a towel, washcloth, and your usual toiletry items.

  • As part of the retreat we will be pairing up and taking turns tending to an outdoor sacred fire throughout the weekend. So, bring enough cold weather outdoor gear to allow you to spend several hours in the Minnesota weather in January.

  • All participants are required to complete the Illuman of MN Confidential Medical Form. Please click HERE to complete the form.



2025 Men's Winter Retreat
from $300.00

About the Fee

Registration is not complete until you have submitted your payment and you have received an email confirmation.

You must complete a confidential medical form before you can attend this retreat.

Registration fee includes two nights dorm lodging, six meals, and materials.

If you have questions and special requests, please contact Paul Lyons, 612-803-8889, before completing your registration. Note dietary restrictions on the required medical form with your registration.

We want you to join us. The $300 registration fee for this retreat is based on the estimated break-even cost for 25 or more participants. If you can afford to contribute more, we encourage you to do so. If you cannot afford the full cost, please contact Paul Lyons, 612-803-8889, for financial assistance.

Registration closes on Friday, January 24, 2025

Cancellation requests due by January 17, 2025, to receive a refund of your registration fee. But please consider making a donation of the request instead. Our goal is to provide affordable and beneficial programs to all men on a spiritual journey.

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