Deceased Members Mass | October 17, 2026 | St. Mary & St. Ann Parish, Hagersville

Starting Point: The Turtle

Choose a bench to sit on, or stand on the back of the turtle as you read this story

The Creation Story

The  name Turtle Island (aka North America) comes from First Nations.  Depending on the storyteller the story is different, but they mostly  agree that the turtle is part of the creation story. In the Six Nations  story sky woman fell from the sky and with help of the geese and ducks  was placed on the back of a turtle. The turtle’s shell was too slippery  so the beaver, otter and muskrat dove down to the depths to find some  soil. Only the muskrat was successful and the sky woman danced upon the  shell spreading out the soil. From her pockets she spread out the seeds  that she had brought with her, to grow the plants for food and medicine  used in the Haudenosaunee culture.

After a long walk with education and prayer, we ended with the Rosary being led by Deedee, our Diocesan Spiritual  Development Chair

Tree of Peace

At  the end of your walk stands an eastern white pine. A symbol of the Haudenosaunee constitution known as the Great Law of Peace. It also  stands as a living memorial dedicated to the contributions and  sacrifices made by Six Nations and Native Allies on Queenston Heights  and throughout the War of 1812.