Tenth Street Indigenous Gathering Space, Nelson

A Cultural Space for Gathering and Ceremony

The Tenth Street Indigenous Gathering Space is a cultural place for Indigenous and diverse communities to (re)connect through the sharing, practice and protection of Indigenous cultures, knowledge, histories and relationships. 

It is intended for ceremony, community gatherings, performances and learning related to Indigenous education, truth, justice and reconciliation.  A central fireplace allows for the use of fire in Indigenous cultural and ceremonial practices.

Using the Space

Upholding the cultural nuances and practices of Indigenous Peoples in the use and care of the Indigenous Gathering Space is an essential responsibility. To ensure cultural safety, intent of use must be culturally appropriate, and practices are to be respected, honoured and upheld from the beginning to the end.

Use of the central fireplace requires a designated Firekeeper. It is not intended for recreational purposes.

Personal attitudes, behaviours, thinking and actions differ when a Sacred Fire is present. Upholding and practicing the seven Sacred Gifts of Life—Wisdom, Patience, Truth, Respect, Humility, Honesty and Love—promotes appropriate conduct and supports cultural safety.

Examples of personal conduct that should be avoided while in the presence of a Sacred Fire, include:

The Sacred Fire

The Fire Spirit should always be respected and cared for, both as an ancestral being and a living entity.  Within Indigenous cultures of Turtle Island, Fire can be found in origin stories and oral histories as giving and sustaining life since time immemorial.

Maintaining and renewing Indigenous relationship to land is essential for the survival and health of Indigenous communities. The Sacred Fire is a central element of Indigenous cultural practices, including ceremonies and gatherings, and provides a spiritual space to connect with, honour and acknowledge all creation and relations.  

Robin Wall Kimmerer (2013) shares the following story about her father and teachings of the Sacred Fire:

My father adds a stick to the fire and asks the young people, "What are the other kinds of fire?"

Taiotoreke knows, "Sacred Fire, like for ceremonies."

"Of course," my dad says. "The fires we use to carry prayers, for healing, for sweatlodges. That fire represents our life, our spirit and the spiritual teachings that we’ve had from the very beginning. We have special firekeepers to care for them. You might not get to be around those other fires very often," he says, "but there’s fire you must tend to everyday. The hardest one to take care of is right here," he says, tapping his finger against his chest, "Your own fire, your own spirit. We all carry a piece of that sacred fire within us. We have to honor it and care for it." 

—Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass (2013)

The Role of the Firekeeper

The designation of Firekeeper carries significant responsibility to ensure the Fire Spirit is respected and cared for. It involves a spiritual relationship between the Fire and the Firekeeper, often learned through Indigenous ceremony and practices.  

Upholding cultural protocol and conduct throughout the building, maintaining and caring for the fire from beginning to end is the primary role of the Firekeeper.  

Firekeeper: responsible for building and maintaining the ceremonial fire for community gatherings and events.  

—Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass (2013)

Examples of key Firekeeper responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to:

• Using natural materials (no accelerants, charcoal, treated wood/lumber) 
• Always being present with the fire (should not be left alone)
• Maintaining a humble fire (no higher than 0.5 metres)
• Upholding and sharing protocol and conduct with attendees/participants to ensure the fire is honored and respected at all times
• Ensuring only Indigenous medicines and offerings are placed in the fire 
• Confirming the fire is completely out when finished (using water)

Booking the Space

Individuals who request and successfully book the Tenth Street Indigenous Gathering Space will become the main point of contact and will be held responsible and accountable for the space. 

Explicit responsibilities include:

• Securing a responsible Firekeeper for the full duration of the gathering or ceremony, who is experienced and capable of upholding the responsibilities, protocol and conduct involved with a Sacred Fire
• Contacting and informing the Nelson Fire Department of when the fire will take place (date and start and end time)
• Picking up the keys for fireplace and firebox and returning keys on the same day 
• Practicing bear safety (food, drinks, recycling and garbage must be secured prior to, during and after gathering or ceremony 
• Returning the space to how it was found 
  • Fireplace cover in place and locked
  • Fire supplies, tools and extinguisher returned to firebox and locked 
  • Floor swept
  • Recycling and garbage properly disposed of (no trace practice)

—This content was developed by Melissa Dorey.

The Tenth Street Indigenous Gathering Space is a partnership between the City of Nelson, Selkirk College and regional First Nations and Métis communities. It was made possible through a Time Immemorial Grant, administered by the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation and Heritage BC.