Well known as the “Urban Elder”, Vern “Asin” Harper is a native Cree spiritual elder and medicine man living in Toronto. A descendent of two hereditary chiefs, he is a fifth generation grandson of chief Mistawasis and a sixth generation grandson of chief Big Bear, who fought the last battle between the Cree nation and the Canadian government in 1885. His name Asin means “stone”.
Vern Harper © Matthew Wiley / photo courtesy Matthew Wiley
Vern has been leading sweat lodges all over North America for decades. I first met him in 1990 at his lodge near Guelph, Ontario for my first “sweat”.
The sweat lodge (Vern says the proper term is purification lodge) is a traditional Native American prayer ceremony held in a kind of domed hut usually made of bent saplings that are traditionally covered with skins, or now-a-days, canvas. People attending the purification crawl inside the lodge and sit in a circle around a pit-like depression in the ground. Once inside red hot stones (the Native American people call them “grandfathers”) are placed in the pit and the entrance door is shut tight.
Sitting in a circle on the cold earth, the experience is very womb-like. Utterly dark inside except for the glow of the red hot grandfathers, herbs and water are then sprinkled over the stones and the singing begins. I can tell you it is an intense experience. Some people have visions. Some just hunker down and survive. Whatever happens you emerge feeling totally relaxed, renewed and lighter. You actually are lighter and it is time to drink plenty of water to replenish the fluid loss.
Last Sunday I attended a sweat / purification ceremony led by Vern at his lodge near Guelph, Ontario. I was able to interview him.
I gratefully accept your comments and feedback.
Related posts
- Meditate Dear One and Experience Your Peace!
- Your Pineal Gland Wants YOU To Meditate!
- Do You Take Time To Meditate Every Day?
- A Simple Meditation With A Crystal Singing Bowl
- Consciousness Creates Its Reality
- Be Still And Know Who YOU Are
- We Are All One. There Is No Separation.
- Can You Bless the Water and Heal a River?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi…
Ive been looking for a lodge for some time now. Ive been sweating for 6 yrs and ive sundanced for four years on vancouver island. I moved to hamilton and have had trouble finding a lodge. Could you lead me in the proper direction?
Metakuye oyasin
Hi there i am a Sundancer,and its been awhile since i been to a sweat,and im going to Toronto for vacation and i would like to meet you and have a talk with you and would also like to have a sweat with you
please reply back
Hello Dev, I happened upon your interview videos with Elder Vern Harper a few days ago. What a beautiful man. I also read your own biography information and love learning about people who have been able to cut themselves open, let their insides out and leave their covering behind. I bow to the divine in you.
I would like to be a part of a purification ceremony with Elder Harper. Is there a way I could get in touch with him to ask. I would be most interested in hearing him speak as well if you are aware of any upcoming opportunities.
I look sonforward to hearing from you.
Peace and blessings your way,
Julia
I am a student in the Indigenous Studies program at Mcmaster University. I first off want to say think you for posting this.
I do have some questions for you if you don’t mind me asking.
The IP near here would most likely never let you record anything such and this. They keep their ceremonies close to their heart for fear of it being appropriated by white people such as myself and using it to try and sell the ceremonies to people. I am in no way saying you would do this I am just wondering if you ran into any issues from people fearing this being online etc because of this.
I am somewhere down the line Ojibway, it is very far down and on my Grandfathers side so I have no clan or anything like that. But it is nice to learn more about this simply because I can learn more about my heritage however fragmented it is.
Thank you again
Hi Kelsey
As of today that video has been online for almost a year and has had over 2000 views. I’ve not had any negative comment on it and the closest thing to that was someone questioning Vern’s status as a contrary.
Dev
Hi Dev,
It was so nice to hear Vern’s voice again and to see him at the sweatlodge spot. My mom was Flora Piche and she was the Kokum until she died. I only went to the sweat a few times with my mom and haven’t been since after she died, Vern had a washing of the tears ceremony for us. Unfortunately the tears still flow for my mother.
Please say hello to Vern for me and my family. We all miss him. I hope he is well. Is there an address where i can send him a card?
Hi Tina,
I don’t know his address offhand. I will look it up and get back to you. I saw Vern a couple of weeks ago and he looks well.
Hi Dev,
It is wonderful to hear that Vern’s doing well! He means so much to our family.
Thank you very much for getting back to me so soon. I can hardly wait to be in touch with him again.
Hello Dev
I used to Drive Vern and Coty around when she was four. It has been quite a while since I have been in touch. I just found out today a mutual friend of ours passed away on Monday and I am not sure if Vern knows. Dr. Robert Salter’s funeral is tomorrow at 10 am. I hope you can pass this information on to him. The information is in the star Obituaries for this week. Miigwetch
Spirit
Spirit
I left Vern a message.
Dev
Hi Dev,
If I wish to get in touch with Vern what would be the best method. I am interested in going to a sweat lodge. Any help would be great.
Thank-you,
Karol