What To Bring

Please bring your own feast bag, which could contain the following items:

• plastic cutlery
• plastic bags (for containers and garbage)
• a number of small containers with lids
• serviettes or paper towels
• feast cloth (tea towel) to put food and containers on
• drinking container
• salt and pepper (optional)
• blanket to sit on.

Dress Recommendations

• Casual dress is usually worn to these events.
• Women and girls wear long dresses or skirts.
• Wrapping a blanket around your waist is acceptable if you wear pants.
• Please, no short skirts, short dresses or shorts.
• No head wear for the males.
• Men are encouraged to wear ribbon shirts.

Seating

• Seating is in a circle.
• Women and men may be sitting on separate sides of the circle.
• Chairs are provided for Elders, others are expected to sit on the floor, except for health or disability reasons.
• Men are to help assist Elders with chairs and other tasks.

What To Do and Expect

• Please show respect by abstaining from drugs and alcohol prior to attending feast and ceremony.
• Instructions will be given by the Elder’s Helper.
• A smudge will take place and be offered to all.
• Pipe ceremony will precede the feast. This is primarily for the men. This may take up to an hour.
• Prayers will be offered before feasting. Please show respect during prayers and avoid talking and unnecessary movement.
• All feast foods are distributed by the males, since the preparation was done by the females.
• Food is served in a certain order.
• Please wait to be served. Please accept all food offered to you as is customary at a feast.
• All food is prayed for before anything is eaten.
• Extra food may be taken home (baggies) or presented to an Elder or a family. Please do not dispose of leftover good. It will be collected. Food that is taken home and not eaten should be given an offering of tobacco and be burned or placed on clean ground.
• Elders will give permission when it is appropriate to eat. Please wait.