Cecaahkwa Kiilhswa is the third lunar month of the Myaamia lunar calendar. Like the other months named for birds, Cecaahkwa Kiilhswa is associated with the process of transition from pipoonwi (winter) into niipinwi (summer). The month is named for cecaahkwa ‘Sandhill Crane – grus canadensis.’
Around this time of year, Sandhill Cranes return from their winter nesting grounds in what is today the state of Florida. Historically, some cranes nested in our traditional homelands along the Wabash River Valley and some traveled to other nesting grounds throughout the midwest. This moon marks an important moment of return, rebirth, and renewal for an animal, cecaahkwa, that is closely associated with Myaamia people. Delaware and various Iroquois speaking peoples, who originally lived to our east and south, referred to the Myaamia as the “Twigh Twee” after the call of the Sandhill Crane.
In the past, Myaamia people would mark the edges of our lands by blazing the head of cecaahkwa into trees along major trails. In 1701, a Myaamia leader signed a treaty with this very symbol. Cecaahkwa remains a powerful symbol of Myaamia people and can still be found on the tribal seal of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.
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Thank you, George, for posting this story and information about the Sandhill Cranes. I love these birds and have been welcoming them back this spring to Indiana. I wrote an article/poem about them and included a link to the story of Myaamia language being revived: http://emergewild.com/2019/03/07/teachings-of-cecaahkwa-kiihswa-sandhill-crane-moon/
neewe Mr. Ladd, I enjoyed the poem and appreciate the link to the story about our language reclamation efforts at the end of your post.