first nation spirituality - atlantic policy congress

8/6/2019 First Nation Spirituality - Atlantic Policy Congress

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First Nation Spirituality First Nation Spirituality

Sacred Medicines

There are many kinds o Sacred Medicines used, with the mostcommon being Sweet Grass, Cedar, Sage and Tobacco. They can beburned or given as a sprinkle oering. When the herbs are burned,

the smoke serves as a cleanser or the body and takes prayers to theCreator. When sprinkled, it is a sign o thanks to the Creator or allthings, and acknowledges the gits o the trees, plants, birds, animals,etc. Many use the Sweet Grass to help cleanse the body, mind andspirit. Cedar serves as a protector. Tobacco a sign o respect to theCreator and Sage protects against negativity.

Medicine Circle

The Medicine Circle, commonly known as the Medicine Wheel,

reers to lies journey and teaches how the physical, spiritual,mental and emotional aspects o lie are connected. Dependingon the teachings and the use o the Circle, some will also includeenvironmental as one o the aspects. Lies lessons are learned romthe our directions, with the East being the starting point. Somepeople will crat a Medicine Circle to serve as a reminder o theirjourney and will vary in size, color and design.

Medicine Pouch

The Medicine Pouch is used to carry things that help a person havea positive connection to the Creator. It can be o various sizes, colorand design and the medicines are a personal choose. For example,sacred herbs are commonly carried in the pouch, although themedicines can change depending on the reason the pouch is beingused.

Naming Ceremony

Traditionally the Grandmothers and Aunts o a community wouldgather at a birth o a new born. At this time the Grandmotherswould give a special name to the child in relation to what they

envisioned at that time. This practice is not as common today andmost traditional people now receive their spirit names through aasting ceremony where an Elder is asked to conduct a ceremony orreceiving a spirit name. Another way to receive a name is to oertobacco or other sacred git to an Elder Grandmother who couldconduct a ceremony to envision a spirit name or you. Grandmothersmay conduct the ceremony dierently and each are equally berespected.

Fasting

Fasting is a practice that can help others to learn more about culturalteachings. This ceremony should always be practiced under the directguidance o an Elder and it is suggested that no one ever undertakesa Fasting Ceremony on their own. The Guidance o the Elder mayvary depending on their teachings and belies and respect is shownto the Elder at all times. A Fasting Ceremony can take place romone to our days with a preparation period ranging rom weeks tomonths. The Elder will select the Sacred area or the Fast and overseethe person Fasting. It is highly recommended that anyone wishing tolearn more about Fasting should seek an Elder highly recommendedby a traditional person.

Sunset & Sunrise Ceremony

At the start and end o each day a ceremony is shared giving thanksto the Creator or the blessings o the day and or during the night.Ceremonial practices during this time can vary depending on theFirst Nation and can include sharing such as the Sacred Pipe, SweetGrass, Drumming, Prayer Time, etc.


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Medicine Bundle

The Medicine Bundle consists o many sacred items related to thecultural teachings learned rom an Elder. Items are gathered uponparticipating in ceremonies such as Fasting, Sweat-lodge, Sunrise,

Sunset, Healing, etc. The bundle can consist o a Sacred Pipe (earnedthrough asting), Drum, Rattles, Eagle Feathers or other types oeathers, Medicines such as sweetgrass, sage, cedar, tobacco, etc.,Stones, Wampum, Shell used or smudging, matches, and manyother gits given to the bundle carrier.

Dream Catcher

The dream catcher teaches about the connection to the dream world.Many people use it to encourage good dreams and prevent bad ones.

The circle represents lie and weave teaches about the connectionwith all things. Teachings o the dream catcher will vary among FirstNations.

Drum

Traditionally, Water Drums were used by First Nations and maderom gutting out a tree and stretching animal skin across theopening. Using a smaller size drum stick create a unique sound.Today, the Big-Round Drum played by several people, and the

individual Hand drum are more commonly known. The beat o thedrum represents the Heartbeat o Mother Earth, the giver o lie.Drums are played during ceremonies and celebrations.

Sacred Pipe

The Sacred Pipe is a sign o respect and riendship and is a connectorto the Great Spirit. It is designed in two parts representing the emaleand male and balance o lie. A person receives the honor to becomea Pipe Carrier by learning the cultural teachings rom the Elders.Sacred Pipe ceremonies are perormed in dierent ways dependingon the teachings o the Pipe Carrier.

Talking Circle

The Talking Circle is a communication method used within a groupsetting. People sit in a circle and pass a Talking Stick, or other item,in a clockwise direction allowing everyone to have an opportunity

to speak. Whoever holds the stick has the honor o speaking and allothers show respect by listening. Talking Circles can be held anytimeand anywhere or various reasons. Four important skills are learnedthrough the use o a Talking Circle; Patience, Listening, Trust andSpeaking.

Moon Time

Moon Time reers to when a woman is experiencing menstruationtime. This is seen as a git rom the Creator that enables women to

naturally puriy their body. As a result, some people believe thatwomen on their moon time do not have to participate in ceremoniesthat help to cleanse the body. It is always best to speak with anElder beore participating in traditional ceremonies as teachings andpractices will vary.

Regalia

Originally, there were many traditional Native clothing and eachFirst Nation had their distinctive style. First Nations could be even be

identied by their style clothes, headdress, or symbols. For example,in the throughout the Atlantic Provinces, men wore breechclothsand leggings, leather shirts and moccasins. Women wore leatherdresses with leggings underneath and moccasins. Todays traditionaldress or Pow-wows and ceremonies varies because o the adoptedstyles rom other Nations such as Grass, Jingle, Fancy, Shawl,Traditional dress, etc. Dances and regalia are oten seen at Pow-wowsand are explained to the viewers.


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Sacred Fire

The Sacred Fire is symbolic to the sun heating Mother Earth. It isa time or healing and used or many reasons. Respect is shown tothe re and the surrounding grounds at all times. A Sacred Fire is

normally lit or 4 days and nights with a Fire Keeper in attendanceat all times. Stones usually orm a circle around the re with ouropenings representing the our directions. Sacred Fires will be uniquein its teachings and an Elder or Fire Keeper is always available to helpshare the teachings.

Pow-Wow

The Pow-Wow is reerred by dierent names depending on the FirstNations language. Pow-Wows will vary in their celebration activities,

but traditionally it is an opportunity or people to gather and sharein cultural celebrations like drumming, dancing, easting and sharingo gits. Other ceremonies such as sunrise and sunset ceremonies,sacred re, talking circles, sweat lodge, pipe ceremonies, etc., will alsobe part o the celebrations.

Eagle

The Eagle with its ability to soar highest in the sky, serves as amessenger or prayers to and rom the Creator. Its abilities show

great courage, strength and vision, skills that are important to FirstNation culture. The Eagle is a reminder o a persons connection theCreator, and is respected during sacred ceremonies. To be presentedan Eagle Feather is a great honor and is normally given or culturalknowledge, respect and wisdom. Eagle Feathers are also passed on toothers who are able to carry on the honor or which the Feather waspresented to another person.

Sweatlodge

Sweatlodges are dome shaped structures used or prayer time andcleansing the body, mind and spirit. Heated rocks are placed inthe lodge and water is sprinkled throughout the ceremony to help

create the steam used in the cleansing ceremony. Sweat LodgeKeepers receive the honor to lead ceremonies by learning the culturalteachings rom the Elders. A Sweat Lodge can belong to a communityor individual, and is used by men, women and children.

Songs

Traditional songs are included during ceremonies and othercelebration gatherings. The singing o songs is a orm o prayer andshows respect to the Creator by acknowledging and celebrating all

lie. First Nations usually have a signature song that represents theirNation.

Dance

Dancing is a time or celebration and is a sign o respect given to theCreator and all creation. Dances are also viewed as being a orm oprayer and respect or the dancers and dances is shown by everyone.It also serves as a way to tell a story o cultural teachings and isrefected through the dance steps and in some cases, outt design.

Elder

Elder is the name used or showing respect to older-aged people.Elders are respected or their wisdom gained throughout liesjourney and that wisdom is shared in various ways. The title,Respected Elder, is refective o an Elder that is active in culturalceremonies and celebrations.

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