Mi’kmaq SpiritualityMi’kmaq Spirituality

Some Aspects of Mi’kmaq Some Aspects of Mi’kmaq SpiritualitySpirituality

FeathersFeathers Sacred PipeSacred Pipe Sweet GrassSweet Grass SmudgingSmudging DrumsDrums Sweat LodgeSweat Lodge

FeathersFeathers

Feathers are very sacred to the native peopleFeathers are very sacred to the native people– The Eagle feather is especially sacred the eagle is The Eagle feather is especially sacred the eagle is

the only creature that is said to have touched the the only creature that is said to have touched the face of Godface of God

– The highest honour that can be bestowed on The highest honour that can be bestowed on anyone is the presentation of the eagle feather. anyone is the presentation of the eagle feather.

– Presented to someone who has given themselves Presented to someone who has given themselves unselfishly in order to benefit the community.unselfishly in order to benefit the community.

Mi`kmaq eagle feather

Mi`kmaq man and his wife at a Guide`s Meet, c. 1943

Sacred PipeSacred Pipe

Referred to as the “peace pipe”Referred to as the “peace pipe” Used in Sweat lodge ceremonies.Used in Sweat lodge ceremonies. The pipe is broken into two pieces, The pipe is broken into two pieces,

symbolizing a man and a woman. When symbolizing a man and a woman. When the two pieces are joined, symbolizing unity the two pieces are joined, symbolizing unity it becomes a sacred part of the ceremony.it becomes a sacred part of the ceremony.

Ceremonies teach the native people to have Ceremonies teach the native people to have dignity and pride in being Mi’kmaq.dignity and pride in being Mi’kmaq.

Sacred Pipe (continued)Sacred Pipe (continued)

Smoking “recreational drugs” is frowned Smoking “recreational drugs” is frowned upon because the Mi’kmaq were not upon because the Mi’kmaq were not “given” these medicines.“given” these medicines.– Insult to the Creator, who gave the Mi’kmaq Insult to the Creator, who gave the Mi’kmaq

what they needed.what they needed.– Insult to the nations who were given these Insult to the nations who were given these

drugs as sacred medicines.drugs as sacred medicines.

Sweet GrassSweet Grass

A sacred herb which has the property to A sacred herb which has the property to bring the positive energies of love.bring the positive energies of love.

A sweet grass ceremony is a cleansing and A sweet grass ceremony is a cleansing and purification healing process in and of itself.purification healing process in and of itself.

Referred to as smudging, the ceremony Referred to as smudging, the ceremony serves as the opening process for prayer serves as the opening process for prayer circles, gatherings as well as higher circles, gatherings as well as higher ceremoniesceremonies

Sweet GrassSweet Grass

Sweet GrassSweet Grass

When the sweet grass is burned, a sacred When the sweet grass is burned, a sacred place is created for the spirits to listen and place is created for the spirits to listen and provide energies of love.provide energies of love.

Once the sacred circle has been established Once the sacred circle has been established the participating people are energetically the participating people are energetically cleansed as well.cleansed as well.

Sweet GrassSweet Grass

Each person is to fan the sweet grass smokeEach person is to fan the sweet grass smoke– First to your heartFirst to your heart– Then your mindThen your mind– Third to the bodyThird to the body– And last – return to the heartAnd last – return to the heart

The prayer The prayer – ‘‘Creator, please cleanse me of my negativity and fill Creator, please cleanse me of my negativity and fill

me with the positive energies of love, so that, as I am me with the positive energies of love, so that, as I am healed so may I work for the healing of our Mother healed so may I work for the healing of our Mother Earth.’Earth.’

SmudgingSmudging

Clipping of dry herbs are burnedClipping of dry herbs are burned Rub your hands in the smoke and gather the Rub your hands in the smoke and gather the

smoke and bring it to your body – rub it on smoke and bring it to your body – rub it on yourself on any area that needs spiritual yourself on any area that needs spiritual healing.healing.

DrumsDrums

Represents the center of all life – the heart.Represents the center of all life – the heart. For centuries and centuries, Native people For centuries and centuries, Native people

have held on to the belief that the heart and have held on to the belief that the heart and the drum share the same purpose and the drum share the same purpose and responsibility – providing life through its responsibility – providing life through its beatbeat

Promotes a oneness concept between man Promotes a oneness concept between man and natureand nature

Sweat LodgeSweat Lodge A place of spiritual communicating used by A place of spiritual communicating used by

all Native Peoplesall Native Peoples Made of willow bushes placed in a Made of willow bushes placed in a

particular way and direction – the door particular way and direction – the door always faces the East.always faces the East.

This ceremony is very humble and starts This ceremony is very humble and starts with Mother Earth. with Mother Earth.

Teaches you to have respect for the women Teaches you to have respect for the women in your community and in the world.in your community and in the world.

Sweat LodgeSweat Lodge TeachesTeaches

– Respect, patience, endurance, and to speak your Respect, patience, endurance, and to speak your mind freely.mind freely.

Accommodates 4-12 people seated around a Accommodates 4-12 people seated around a central dugout where preheated rocks central dugout where preheated rocks (grandfathers) are put to generate heat and (grandfathers) are put to generate heat and steam inside the lodge for the ceremony.steam inside the lodge for the ceremony.

Participants are cleansed or spiritually Participants are cleansed or spiritually healed.healed.

Typical sweat lodge frame

Power AnimalsPower Animals

In the Native tradition, man communicated In the Native tradition, man communicated with the creator through interaction with with the creator through interaction with naturenature

Many chose or were given symbolic ‘Power Many chose or were given symbolic ‘Power Animals’ whose strength or character Animals’ whose strength or character reflected the human character traits of the reflected the human character traits of the individuals claiming power for that specific individuals claiming power for that specific animal.animal.

How do you get a Power AnimalHow do you get a Power Animal The person is put to sleep The person is put to sleep Once asleep a hand is placed on the sleeping Once asleep a hand is placed on the sleeping

person chest and plays the drum lightly according person chest and plays the drum lightly according to their beating heart.to their beating heart.

In their dream they will see different animals but In their dream they will see different animals but the one that appears most frequently becomes their the one that appears most frequently becomes their ‘Power Animal’‘Power Animal’

The Power Animal helps the person make sense of The Power Animal helps the person make sense of problems and helps them through challenging life problems and helps them through challenging life experiences.experiences.

Popular Power AnimalsPopular Power Animals There are many power animals but the most There are many power animals but the most

popular are:popular are:– DogsDogs– CatsCats– HorseHorse– BirdsBirds

The animal chosen tends to be one that the The animal chosen tends to be one that the person would be closer to. Dog people vs person would be closer to. Dog people vs cat peoplecat people

SourcesSources

http://http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/bjeddore/sacred.htmwww.stemnet.nf.ca/bjeddore/sacred.htm

http://www.Indianheadfirstnations.150m.cohttp://www.Indianheadfirstnations.150m.com/ceremonies.htmm/ceremonies.htm

http://www.novacadie.cahttp://www.novacadie.ca http://museum.gov.ns.cahttp://museum.gov.ns.ca http://www.muiniskw.orghttp://www.muiniskw.org