Aboriginal Spirituality

Danielle Lapointe, Elena Klivanovski, and Kendal Midanik

Key Beliefs

• Have a belief in Animism

• Polytheistic - one creator - many other spirits

Creation • Most tribes have their own

unique creation story• Turtle Island• Raven and the Clamshell• Animals came from

humans- strong link• Creator controls humans,

but not other animals

Ceremonies• The Potlach Ceremony

- Give away things to gain status• The Sweat Lodge

- like a sauna--> made of saplings- led by an elder- heals them spiritually and physically

• The Shaking Tent-used by many tribes-goal is to communicate to spirits

Totems• Represent their

animal/spirit guide• For a clan or individual• Same totem= close

relatives• Sometimes used to tell

stories about supernatural• Carved for Potlach

Ceremony

Rituals• The Sun Dance

- circle = sun--> centre of life - cottonwood pole is called

“Tree of the Universe”- Piercing Dance

• Morning Dance- dance to give thanks - feast of fish and meat

Symbols/ Images• Traditional symbols and images are an essential

part of the Aboriginal culture.• Dream Catcher: If you hang a dream catcher over

your bed, your bad dreams will go through the web and into the Universe and your good dreams will be caught in the web.

• Eagle: Alerts the Aboriginals of what is to come.• Fire: Symbolizes the heart of The People and is

used to cleanse the spirit.

Symbols/ Images Continued• Inuksuk: Used for navigation, gives warnings for any

danger in open water, and it marks sacred space.• Medicine Shield: Made by warriors as a symbol of

protection and strength when hunting and battling.• Tree of Peace: In some Aboriginal religions, the tree

is believed to connect Earth to Heaven.

Number of Adherents in the World/ Influences in the 21st Century

• Just over 1.3 million people reported having at least some Aboriginal ancestry in 2001, representing 4.4 % of the total population in Canada.

• From 1901 to 2001, the Aboriginal ancestry population grew tenfold.

• Between 1951 and 2001, the Aboriginal ancestry population grew sevenfold.

• Between 1996 and 2006, the Aboriginal population grew by 45%.

Religious Significance

• Aboriginal spirituality is most common in Asia. The lowest population of aboriginal people is in Europe.

• There are many different groups within the aboriginal culture, some are extinct such as groups from the Caribbean Islands.

• The group of aboriginals, the Inuit located in Nunavut share their culture and traditions with Alaska and Greenland. -

• There are 100 000 Inuit, but a lot of that population practices Christianity.

• The Aboriginal culture is becoming more popular throughout the world.

• The Aboriginal people have many religious prayers and rituals which contribute to their beliefs. These prayers consist of drumming, chanting, and dancing.

• Within Nunavut, these prayers are becoming more popular and prevalent within their culture. Some of the aboriginal groups within --Nunavut protect their religion and values from self-government. ---This means they control their own land, and laws. This helps preserve their culture and beliefs.

• Aboriginal Spirituality has no founder, or creator of the religion. During a crisis, an elder or significant person will rise and renew the faith.

• Recently, in 1996, Canada declared June 21st to be National Aboriginal Day.

Other Interesting Facts

• Aboriginal spirituality is also used as therapy.The Iroquois, located in the Northeast Woodlands, tell a story of The Peacemaker. The Peacemaker is a central figure to their culture. A person should never say the Peacemakers name, until the end of the world when his name will be called. Aboriginal cultures also communicate through dance. These dances tell stories, or interpret events from the past.

PEACE

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1.What does the medicine shield symbolize?

a) Hunting and Battlingb) Protection and Strengthc) Warriorsd) Medicine

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2. What does the Eagle do?

a) Alerts the Aboriginals of the pastb) Protects the Aboriginalsc) Alerts the Aboriginals of what is to comed) Annoys the Aboriginals

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3. Between 1996-2001, what was the percentage of population growth?

a) 20%b) 45%c) 62%d) 50%

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4. Where is Aboriginal Spirituality mainly located?

a) Europeb) Asiac) Americad) Canada

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5. Most Inuit also practice this religion…

a) Judaismb) Buddhismc) Christianityd) Hinduism

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6. What year did Canada declare National Aboriginal Day?

a) 1996b) 1987c) 1880d) 2000

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7. People from the same Totem Group…

a) Are encouraged to marry each otherb) Share the same physical

characteristicsc) Hunt for the same kind of animald) Are related and therefore can not

marry

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8. Dancers at the Sun Dance self-inflict pain on themselves because…

a) They are sacrificing their body to the Creator

b) It connects them to their spirit guides

c) They are giving thanks to the spirits that control the land

d) They believe blood connects them to the spirit word

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9. Turtle Island is current day…

a) Africab) North Asiac) North Americad) Land (all over the world)

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The Answers1. What does the medicine shield symbolize? B) Protection and Strength

2. What does the eagle do? C) Alerts the Aboriginals of what is to come

3. Between 1996- 2001, what was the percentage of population growth? B) 45%

4. Where is Aboriginal Spirituality mainly located? B) Asia

5. Most Inuit also practice this religion… C) Christianity

6. What year did Canada declare National Aboriginal Day? A) 1996

7. People from the same Totem group… D) Are related and therefore can not marry

8. Dancers at the Sun Dance self-inflict pain on themselves because… A) They are sacrificing their body to the creator

9. Turtle Island is current day… C) North America