In a symphony of song and prayer, we dance to the heartbeat of our mother, honoring the longest day in the north and the briefest in the south, a celestial ceremony of mystery and wonder.

As warm summer rain replenishes Mother Earth, the healing scents of cedar, sage, and sweetgrass caress the breath of life. Summer Solstice brings a deeper understanding of the natural world and the laws of nature. It is a time of buffalo berries, chokecherries, and strawberry ceremonies, a time of hope for all our relations.

Summer Solstice has yet to happen this early since 1796. Before the late 19th century, the United States used a system called Local Mean Time (LMT) before introducing standard time—quirks in the Gregorian calendar account for the earliest Summer Solstice in 228 years.

This year's summer solstice brings a full moon that coincides with the solstice, and the Strawberry Moon will reach its peak on Friday, June 21, adding to the significance of this celestial event.

Caring for Mother Earth, giving thanks to the Creator and all our relations, and ensuring that ceremonies, like strawberry ceremonies, are carried out, is a great responsibility and an integral part of our creation stories.