About 13 Moons

The goal of 13 Moons Turtle Clan is to share the cultural heritage and diversity of American Indians with the surrounding communities; to organize American Indian celebrations and activities.

To create a sense of community and family within our council along with the purpose of continuing the lineage of the American Indian Tradition (family being all members of the Council).

13 Moons Turtle Clan is comprised of peoples who have a common belief that everything in our environment is not ours but a gift of the Creator. Through interactive education and public awareness,

13 Moons Turtle Clan will provide a forum for all who would like to enhance their understanding of the American Indian perspective for all things. Through community outreach and educational programs,

13 Moons Turtle Clan will teach the values and traditions of American Indian people in a contemporary setting. This council shall teach the American Indian Traditions and beliefs to those who seek interest in our history as stated in the by-laws. 13 Moons Turtle Clan is a 501 c3 non profit group through the Chapel of Freedom Metis

A little History on why we chose the name 13 Moons. A native writer Joseph Bruchac wrote a wonderful story about 13 Moons on a Turtles Back. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons explains the way Native People of North America keep track of the changing seasons. The changing seasons differ in each region of the continent but the pattern of thirteen moons has similar traits among many Nations. In this Joseph Bruchac book, an Abenaki grandfather shows his grandson how to keep track of the changing moons. He uses the scales on the back of the turtle. In counting the scales the boy learns that the number counted equals thirteen. Grandfather tells the youth that each moon has twenty-eight days from each new moon until the next. Each moon relates a specific story about the season. Grandfather explains that the Abenaki have stories for each moon. The book relates a story for each moon according to a different Nations traditions. The winter time relates a story about the Moon of Popping Trees according to the Northern Cheyenne. There are explanations from Potawatomi, Anishinabe (Ojibwe), Cree, Huron, Seneca, Pomo, Menominee, Micmac (Mi'kmaq), Cherokee, Winnebago, Lakota Sioux, and Abenaki. It is a way of organizing time and seasons. Each nation has its own stories that correspond to the changing seasons. It is the spiritual nature of Native People's respect for the earth.