**Indigenous Firekeeper Trains Next Generation in Tradition** Mike Hopkins, a sacred Indigenous firekeeper, plays a vital role in preserving cultural traditions. His responsibilities include maintaining the flame during various ceremonies, such as celebrations, funerals, and public gatherings. Recently, he participated in a sunrise ceremony at Western University for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. "The fire is the most important part of life," said Hopkins, who serves as an Indigenous healing coordinator at the N'Amerind Friendship Centre. He emphasized the significance of fire in ceremonies, stating, "At any gathering or ceremony, the fire is the life of everything. It's like the fire in our heart; we have our fire that keeps us alive. If I light a fire, I'm responsible for that fire." The flames that Hopkins ignites are not meant for warmth or cooking. Instead, they hold spiritual significance and serve as a connection between the living and the spirit world. Some sacred fires must remain lit for up to four days. Hopkins is entrusted with lighting and overseeing these fires for individuals and organizations. He also lights fires to honor deceased family members, marking anniversaries of their births and deaths. Ceremonies often include pipe-smoking and require offerings of tobacco or other items. "It's part of our culture, it's part of our history and who we are as caretakers," Hopkins explained. At 72 years old and from the Delaware Nation near Thamesville, Ontario, Hopkins is not only keeping the fires alive but also training the next generation of firekeepers. He is currently mentoring eight apprentices, a process that takes a minimum of seven years. Each apprentice must fast once a year, with one fast lasting four days and four nights, during which they cannot consume any food or water. Leon Shipman, 40, from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, is one of the apprentices. He has been training with Hopkins for five years and describes his journey as a "spiritual awakening." Shipman stated, "I learned that the future needs help and that we need to learn and understand those original instructions the Creator left with us to live in balance. It's a lot of responsibility to take on. Everything comes to you through listening, not from books." Shipman also shared that the four-day fast in the wilderness is a humbling experience. "All we have is a lodge that we built and a hunting knife and a hatchet and an axe to take care of the fire," he said. Once trained, firekeepers may receive small stipends for their services, but Hopkins does not set a fee. "It's not at all about the money," Shipman remarked. "We want it to carry on to the next generations so our teachings don't get lost and the fire doesn't go out." While the tradition is often accommodated in hospitals, schools, and other institutions, challenges remain. For years, Hopkins provided firekeeping and pipe ceremonies for Indigenous inmates at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC). However, changes to the facility's security protocols earlier this year have led him to cease providing these services. Hopkins expressed concern about the new requirement for all bags to be searched, stating that some ceremonial items are sacred and should only be handled by their designated caretakers. "It's still going on," he said regarding the ongoing dispute with EMDC. "I haven't heard anything back from them." As the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches, Hopkins reflects on the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. "Every time I smoke the pipe and light the fire, I ask the Creator to help guide our people," he said.