Native American Sacred Pathway Background
Native American Sacred Pathway
Background
Archeological discoveries have revealed that Native Americas have been living in the Americas for at least 25,000 years. Their population prior to 1492 was in the millions. Although the different tribal cultures vary from prehistoric to modern times, Native Americans have been grouped into the following areas: Eastern Woodland, Northern, Northwest Coast, Plains, Plateau, and Southwest. These cultural groupings are based on the agricultural and hunting traditions, values, carvings, and crafts that developed over time as a byproduct of living in a certain area. For instance, the Eastern Woodland tribes were renown for their elaborate grave offerings of cooper plates and shell beads; and, the Great Plains tribes made clothing and tepee covers from buffalo skins. Other crafts developed along similar lines with the Plateau tribes who made noteworthy advances in basketry; while, the Southwest tribes made them in rug weaving.
Over the millennium Native Americans have faithfully and stalwartly held to a starcore of common beliefs and customs which include: respect for Elders; the Clan System; Animal Totems and Power Animals; the Sacred Hoop or Circle of Life; responsibility to the family, the village, and the tribe; reverence for Mother Earth, Father Sky, and the environment; the willingness to share with others; and the sacredness and interconnectedness of all life and all children of the earth.
For Native Americans, their beliefs and ceremonies are an integral and impeccable aspect of their existence. For them all creatures are kin (two legged, four legged, winged, and finned); everything in nature is imbued with Spirit; and guardian spirits empower, teach, guide, and assist everyone. Native Americans have made many valuable contributions to society including: food staples (corn, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash), the kayak, the toboggan, the snowshoe, as well as, increased environmental awareness. More than two hundred drugs are derived from Native American healing remedies.
All Are Relatives
All people are related and all
things connected in the great mystery of Spirit. All beings are sacred
and worthy of respect and to be treated with reverence and dignity.
Animal Totems
There are animal
totems for the tribe, for the clan, for the family, for the country, and for the
state. Each animal totem has certain characteristics, qualities, strengths, and
weaknesses that can be utilized to learn valuable lessons and to increase
harmonic understanding of life's circle dance. For those who live in the United
State of America, the tribal animal totem is the bald eagle; for those that live
in the state of California, the clan animal totem is the state animal, the
Grizzly Bear. Personal Animal totems for an individual are called Power Animals.
They are spirits which protect, help, and guide one everyday. Animal totem
objects when placed in the environment or worn or carried, create positive
energy and result in a blessings and remembrance linkage with the animal totem
that results in constructive lessons and actions.
Clans
The Clan that one
is a member of has profound meaning which impacts all areas of one's life
(vocation, marriage, responsibilities, duties, and familial and societal
relationships). Each person belongs to a clan which is represented by a Totem
Animal. Clans usually have Totem Animals which correspond to where the tribe
lives. For example, Deer for Woodland tribes; and Buffalo for Plains tribes.
There are many ways to determine one's clan based on tribal customs. In some
tribes a person takes their mother's clan; in some tribes a person takes their
father's clan; in some tribes a person undergoes a visionquest or a fast until
the personal clan is known; in some tribes, one's clan is verified by a Medicine
Person with the Gift of Clans; and in some tribes a child feels connected to and
drawn to a clan from infancy.
Cosmology
Although there are
many concepts about the Earth and its dance in Creation among the various
tribes, one common theme is that the universe is comprised of multiple planes
linked to a World Tree with the natural world being in the middle sphere. This
tree's roots go far underground and reach upwards into the sky. Most creation
myths were part of the oral tradition and feature a Master Spirit who assumes
many diverse forms, including both the masculine and feminine. There are also
many spirits who control the weather and act as guides and caretakers of
humanity. Besides the oral tradition, some tribes preserved their spiritual
beliefs in sacred texts
Dream Catcher
The Dream Catcher
consists of a perfect circle web with a hole in the center which symbolizes the
Web of Life and Future Destinies. It is hung above beds to sift through dreams,
ideas, and visions, catching the good ones so that people may be helped and
goals may be attained; and, purging the bad ones by discharging them through the
hole in the center of the web
Drumming
Drums are sacred because they represent the rhythm of the
universe and the pulsation of a nation. They come in a variety of sizes based on
ceremonial and healing purposes. They also have keepers to protect them from
negative influences.
Eagle Staff
To numerous North
American tribes, this staff is a significant symbol of reverence for all of life
and for the Creator. The Eagle Staff depicts the supernatural "Thunderbird
Spirits" who look after the physical world populace. The qualities of vision,
vigor, swiftness, dignity, and benevolence are embodied by the eagle.
Eagle Whistles
During a Powwow, the eagle whistle is blown to honor the dancers,
the drums, the spirit helpers, and the spirit of the eagle. Each time the whistle is blown a fitting song is sung
Elders
Elders are men and
women, regardless of age, who have been infused with Wisdom and other spiritual
gifts from the Great Spirit such as: sweat lodge ceremony healer abilities and
herbal remedies skills.
Four Directions (Four Powers, Four Quarters)
There are four
equally important ways of perceiving things in life and of pursuing
knowledge. These are the four cardinal points of the circle, each of
which represent different power essences of nature, seasonal rhythms,
and stages of life. These four directions are North (Wisdom, White,
Buffalo, Maturity, Strength and Stamina); East (Peace, Gold, Eagle,
Elder, Clarity and Illumination; South (Expansion, Green, Mouse,
Infancy, Wholesomeness and Expectation); and West (Nourishment, Black,
Bear, Youth, Introspection and Authenticity).
Giveaway
This tradition exemplifies and embodies the essence of sharing what one has with others. For
instance, a Giveaway may be hosted by a family during a Powwow to celebrate a
family member's formal entry into the dance circle. Craft gifts, beadwork, and
blankets are given to visitors and friends. The gift giving is then followed by
dancing and songs.
Medicine Wheel
This circle
symbolizes all of life and the lives of individual beings as they express the
power of the world through harmonious movements, and, as they are nourished by
the spiral of constant circular motion of the wheel of Spirit. Medicine Wheel
traditions vary from tribe to tribe. An example of a medicine wheel is one where
the center of the wheel is bisected by two paths. The path from North to South
is the road everyone travells in life; while, the path from East to West is the
road individuals travel as they learn lessons, growing in Spirit.
Power Animals
All positive
spirits like mammals and birds are Power Animals. Power animals such as the
squirrel, mouse, or bear represent qualities reflective of the innermost self
that are needed to enhance daily life but are often obscured or veiled. Personal
Power Animal(s) may change several times over the course of a lifetime, as
cycles change, and, as new growth patterns emerge.<
Rattles
Rattles are used by
Elders during ceremonies to call the four powers to help those who seek healing,
cleansing, and guidance. Rattles are also shaken to summon the Spirit of Life
for those who are sick.
Sacred Hoop
The Sacred Hoop
symbolizes the Circle of Life and the power of the circle matrix that is the
creative foundation of the universe. The sky, the planet, the sun, the stars,
the moon, the whirling wind, the nests of birds, the tepees, the seasons, and
life cycles follow this circle round pattern. The Four Powers nourish the
blossoming World Tree at the center of the Circle of Life. For the people to
thrive and blossom, the Sacred Hoop must be whole and unbroken.
Sacred Pipe
The sacred pipe was
used by the great chiefs to seal the peace treaties with the white man because
it bore the same special ceremonial significance to them as taking an oath on
the Holy Bible did to the white man. During private and group ceremonies,
prayers are transmitted through the smoke of the sacred pipe. The pipe bowl is
symbolic of the female and the wooden pipe stem symbolizes the male. The joining
of the two represents the connection between Mother Earth and all the creatures
that inhabit Earth. The pipe bowl may be made of soapstone or wood and often
resembles an Animal Totem. The bowl may be inlaid with silver, decorated with
beads and leather and painted with symbolic colors. There are sacred pipes used
only by men or only by women. A sacred pipe belongs to the community so the
holder of a scared pipe must spiritually earn the right to be its custodian,
usually through cleansing or fasting.
Smudging
Smudging is a
ritual burning of sacred herbs such as Sage (for purity of spirit), Sweetgrass
(for healing ceremonies), and Cedar (for dispelling negativity). Bundles of
these sacred plants are tied together forming smudge sticks or braided together
and then dried. Traditionally a council, central, or cooking fire was used to
light the end of a smudge stick or a braid. Today a candle is often used
instead; and, then the herbs are put in an abalone shell or a ceramic bowl.
Generally, the smoke is first offered to the Four Powers, then to Mother Earth
and Father Sky, and then a smudging prayer is recited. Afterwards, the hand or a
feather is used to direct a few curls of smoke, imbued with the fragrance and
spiritual energy of the sacred herbs, to the people, places, or objects that
need cleansing.
Native American Sacred Pathway Overview
For Native Americans all of life is sacred. The land is part of them and they are part of the land. Their primary sacred text is the wind whispering through cedar boughs, the sandy shores, the cry of an eagle, and the ripple of sparkling streams. They commune with the Great Spirit by smoking the scared pipe and by feathering themselves with sweetgrass, allowing the smoke to convey their prayers throughout the Sacred Hoop to Great Spirit.
Storytelling, passed down
through the generations, teaches valuable lessons by example. This precious oral
history of stories, legends, and the teachings of the Elders is now being
written down and recorded in order to preserve it for posterity.
Native Americans communicate with the spirits by singing traditional,
ceremonial, and medicine songs accompanied by drums and sometimes also by
rattles, flutes, and whistles. Ceremonial teachings are strictly an oral
tradition passed down from Elder to Elder to ensure their authenticity and
integrity. The ceremonies are a way to commune with Spirit through prayers,
offerings, and ritual.
Native American Ceremonies
Fasting
Usually undergone
during the spring and fall under the guidance of an Elder (who provides the
ceremonial surroundings and acts as guide), fasting from all food and drink for
a period of time is a time-honored way to quicken spirituality. Fasting takes
place at a location envisioned in a dream by the person fasting, a place where
the answer to a question will be seen in a dream or in a vision or in an moment
of clear understanding. Afterwards a Medicine Person or an Elder or a group of
Elders confirms the results.
Making Relatives
This is a ceremony to promote peace that reflects the spiritual
connection between the Great Spirit and humanity. A strong blood bond is made
between two people to establish a relationship that is closer than kinship.
Similar to an adoption, once this ceremony takes place, the participants become
accountable for one another.
Pipe Ceremony
This is a ceremony which an Elder oversees. After the
participants gather together in a circle, the Elder lights a braid of sweetgrass
to symbolize the unity of the many minds and hearts present and smudges each
person in the circle. Then the Elder puts four pinches of tobacco in the bowl of
the sacred pipe and offers a pinch to each of the Four Directions. Afterwards
the pipe holder asks the Spirits to come and join in the smoking of the sacred
pipe and to pass the participants prayers and requests on to Great Spirit and
then the sacred pipe is passed from person to person in the circle.
Powwow
This is an
important ceremony in Native American tradition. The date of a powwow, or
learning of all nations, is announced in advance. There is an open competition
part to the powwow where dance and drum groups compete with each other and then
there is a private undisclosed part to the powwow that is sacred. Preparations
for the powwow include: constructing a building for the Elders and some special
platforms; obtaining gifts for the guests, singers, dancers, and Elders; and,
preparing the feasts. The host drum usually sings traditional songs at the Grand
Opening and Closing.
Sun Dance
This is an annual
dance ceremony where the tribe comes together to offer thanks to Great Spirit
for the bounty of the previous year; to pray for renewal of the tribe and the
Earth; to promote health; and to socialize and renew friendships.
Sweat Lodge
This
preparatory ceremony of spiritual renewal purifies and cleanses a person for
lengthy fasting, for dancing, for important life events, and for undertaking
endeavors. With the assistance of a Medicine Person, the sweat lodge is also a
place of sacred refuge where one can receive guidance and answers to questions
from spirit helpers, animal totems, Mother Earth, and the Great Spirit. The
sweat lodge is usually a small structure with a framework of saplings and a
covering of skins or blankets with a small flap to regulate the temperature
inside. In the center there is a hallowed space blessed with tobacco and
sweetgrass that is filled with hot rocks and then water is poured on them to
generate steam. The ceremony (which usually includes prayers, songs, chants, and
drumming) releases all impurities and sends them out on the four winds.
The Keeping of Souls
This is a purification ceremony for the Soul of a deceased loved one which enables the
soul to return to the Great Spirit. This release of a purified departed soul to
travell to the Great Creator can occur as long as a year after death.
Visionquest
This is a private
and important coming of age ceremony which requires a preparatory period of
fasting, meditation, and physical challenge. Usually undertaken only by boys,
this ceremony involves separating from the tribe and going off into a wilderness
area in quest of both a vision that will show them their life's walk; and, a
guardian spirit who will support them and help them develop throughout their
lifetime. An attribute of this power animal enters the person on the visionquest
and afterwards becomes part of their name (Sitting Bull, Black Elk).
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