Fire burns for Elijah
While a healing fire burns in his yard to guide the spirit of a child who was struck by a car last week, Jeff Lindstrom (left) of the Sault Tribe smudges over Angela Mohme (right) and Cory Boye (center) on Monday. Smudging, the act of burning sage, is a Native American ritual meant to provide spiritual cleansing and healing. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Rhea Lindstrom smiles with wonder and delight as a hummingbird perches on her hand. The hummingbird was just one feathered creature that attended the healing fire held at Rhea's son's home for Elijah McMillan. An eagle flew over shortly after the fire was lit. (Courtesy photo)
Tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass — all sacred herbs — are seen sitting on a table ready to be fed to the fire that is serving as a guiding light to Elijah McMillan. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
A sign taped to a white garage behind 1906 First Ave. S. says that the healing fire and walking-on fire held at the home of Jeff and Angie Lindstrom is open to all who wish to pay their respects. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
While a healing fire burns in his yard to guide the spirit of a child who was struck by a car last week, Jeff Lindstrom (left) of the Sault Tribe smudges over Angela Mohme (right) and Cory Boye (center) on Monday. Smudging, the act of burning sage, is a Native American ritual meant to provide spiritual cleansing and healing. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
Rhea Lindstrom smiles with wonder and delight as a hummingbird perches on her hand. The hummingbird was just one feathered creature that attended the healing fire held at Rhea's son's home for Elijah McMillan. An eagle flew over shortly after the fire was lit. (Courtesy photo)
Tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass — all sacred herbs — are seen sitting on a table ready to be fed to the fire that is serving as a guiding light to Elijah McMillan. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
A sign taped to a white garage behind 1906 First Ave. S. says that the healing fire and walking-on fire held at the home of Jeff and Angie Lindstrom is open to all who wish to pay their respects. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)
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ESCANABA -- A fire is burning in Escanaba and in the spirit world to guide the soul of a local child through a transition from earthly life to eternity with the Great Creator.
After an accident last week on a dark road in Hannahville, Elijah McMillan was brought to the Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His mother, Aleshia Marie Boye, has been at his side for several tormenting days, sharing occasional updates with friends and family.
In Hannahville, not long ofter the incident, tribal members struck a fire for the boy. In Native American cultures, a healing fire is a ritual that opens a connection to the Creator and spirits.
"Back in the day ... if something like this happened, or if someone was sick, or someone was having surgery, they would call a fire," explained Brenda Kinnart. "This is our direct relation to Creator ...and we use this tobacco, right, to carry them prayers, our thoughts, and the wishes to Creator in those prayers for the family and all.
"It didn’t matter where. We just wanted to make sure there was a fire started," Kinnart said.
An employee at the Hannahville Potawatomi Heritage Center said that the Hannahville Indian School had lit a fire, giving students the opportunity to send their prayers.
After the first couple days, Aleisha asked members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians -- her own tribe -- to start a fire, and for everyone to send positive vibes and healing energies.
"Please just lift my baby boy up," she wrote in a Facebook post. As her son was declared braindead, Aleisha pleaded for prayers as she and her other "devastated" children battled with "the worst pain, the worst feelings, the worst of the worst in every way on every level."
Jeff Lindstrom, who had hosted a walking-on fire for his uncle who had passed about a year ago, stepped up to take over with a healing fire outside his home at 1906 First Ave. S. in Escanaba. People sitting around the fire on Monday morning recounted that they believed Chris Halfaday had struck the fire at the Lindstroms' on Friday, but acknowledged that time might not have been perfectly committed to memory.
With such a fire, men stoke the fire and keep it lit around the clock, day and night. In some instances, a healing fire might be closed out upon a person's recovery. Other times, if a person passes away, the fire becomes a walking-on fire, which is kept lit for four days.
As Elijah lay in a hospital bed, still alive, the fire burning in the yard on First Avenue South was a healing fire.
"So right now, this is for him in limbo between the two worlds. This is to help light his way through the spirit world," said Angela Mohme, who was at the fire on Monday alongside her partner, Cory Boye, a cousin of Aleshia.
"One mother -- it’s all mothers, you know what I mean?" Mohme said. "So even though I don’t know him (Eli), I’m here for his mother."
Night and day, as the fire burns and keepers continue stoking, people come and go to pay respects and feed the fire sacred items like sweetgrass, tobacco, cedar and sage.
On Monday, it was expected that Elijah's life on earth would soon end. Preparations were being made to donate his organs as machines kept the body alive. By the time this article has published, the fire at 1906 First Ave. S. May have transitioned to a walking-on fire.
After a person dies, it's a four-day walk to reach the next world, according to many Native beliefs. A walking-on fire is therefore kept burning for four days and nights to serve as a beacon of light to the spirit on its journey.
While Jeff went to work, his sons and other boys kept the healing fire going. Kinnart said that the plan was for an elder to come by the home at a later point to help educate the youngsters on fire-tending.
"There’s no book that tells you what we do," said Kinnart. "A lot of it is you learn by being here, doing things."
While spirits are often fed by offering natural things to a fire -- from berries to venison -- some tribal members say that it’s not until a few weeks after the journey is complete that a spirit eats.
Whenever it is time, friends around the fire anticipate feeding Elijah's spirit Skittles, reportedly the boy's favorite candy.
The fire will continue burning for four days after Elijah's life on this earth ends, carrying prayers for his family and providing a warm, illuminated path for the departed.
"In those four days, those are the times they review their life," Kinnart said. "They see all that, they experience all the emotions. That’s why we have this (fire). They have that beacon of light."
A sign hanging on the garage behind the Lindstroms’ house states that “everyone is welcome” to attend the healing and walking-on fire for Elijah McMillan.
“This is where we come together as a community to help this young man on his journey, his family and his loved ones,” wrote Ramona Lisa Barron on Facebook, encouraging people to access from the alley and to bring a camp chair.
Cole Goudreau, director from unit four of the Sault Tribe, provided lots of wood and other supplies for the fire. Others brought food, groceries, tobacco, various items.
“You do what you can,” Kinnart said.