Paaphsaahka Niipinwiki ‘Mid-Summer’ is the fifth month of Myaamia Kiilhsooki ‘Miami Lunar Calendar.’ It is named for its position at the mid point of neepinwiki ‘summer.’ During this month, there is usually a pause in the agriculture cycle. The hard work of clearing, preparing, and planting was usually finished by this time and villages filled the down time before harvest with games, dances, and other social gatherings. It is during Paaphsaahka Niipinwiki that pahsaahkaahkanka ‘the summer solstice’ occurs. The longest day of the year marks the center of neepinwiki and serves as the anchor point of Myaamia Kiilhsooki. Every three years or so, we insert Waawiita Kiilhswa ‘Lost Moon’ in order to ensure that pahsaahkaahkanka continues to fall in its proper place.

---