PEXSISEN - THE MOON OF OPENING HANDS THE BLOSSOMING OUT MOON (Mid March to Mid April)

All the plants and trees are opening up their hands again and the moon meets their welcome. All of nature is blooming. At this time the Brant Geese are dried. The Earth renews its strength.

CONNECTIONS AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

April derives it name from the Latin word "Aprilis", the Roman goddess Aphrodite and the Greek word "to open". It should be noted that most countries in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate the arrival of Spring. At this time of year, the trees open their leaves in welcome, just as the Saanich People open their hands to show thanks.

WEATHER

There is less rain than previous months and it is warmer. This helps dry out the land and enables the drying and preservation of food.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

During this time, the Saanich Peoples hunted and dried XELXELJ (Brant Geese) for future use. Float nets were placed where the XELXELJ would feed along the tide line to capture the geese. Clams, Oysters and mussels were at their best that this time of year, too.

Cedar trees were fallen at this time of year to make boats, among other things. The warmer weather also caused the tree sap to run up the trees, making it easier to strip the bark. The fallen trees were then left to cure and the bark was saved for weaving into mats and clothing.

Before the Saanich People started to raise sheep, they would use goat and dog hair for spinning yarn and knitting. Their primary wool source was a breed of dog that was small, white and woolly. The warmer weather caused the dogs to shed and their hair would be gathered for carding and later, knitting.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

• What animal hair or wool is used in other countries? (e.g. Llamas)
• What activities happen in Western culture's Gregorian calendar that are similar to those in the First Nations?