On June 11, the Full Strawberry Moon will rise — what some call the Ode’imin Giizis, the Heart Berry Moon.

For many of our Nations, this moon carries old teachings. The strawberries — small, sweet, growing close to the earth — were among the first gifts the Creator gave our ancestors. They are known as the “heart berries” because their shape reminds us of love, healing, and the sacred lifeblood that flows through all living things.

When the strawberries ripen, it is a signal that summer has fully arrived. But this time is not only about harvest — it is about the teachings of renewal, forgiveness, and the medicine of gentleness. The strawberry is often used in our ceremonies to help mend broken relationships, to soften hearts hardened by hurt, and to remind us that we too must offer sweetness to one another, even when the world has been bitter.

Our old ones would gather under this moon, baskets in hand, giving thanks for the first fruits. Not taking more than was needed, always leaving some for the animals, for the birds, for the next generation. This is the law of balance. This is our way.

Even now, as the world moves faster, and many forget the old ways, the moon still rises. The land still breathes. The strawberries still come when it is their time — reminding us that the teachings are never lost, only waiting for us to remember.

When you stand beneath the Full Strawberry Moon, offer a prayer. Speak to your ancestors. Walk gently on the land. Share kindness with those around you.

The old teachings are alive.