Medicine
Pouch
The
Medicine Pouch, or sometimes referred to as an offering bag,
is viewed as a sacred object. The pouch can be of various sizes,
color and design. It can be worn around the neck, waist or carried
in the pocket. The items in the pouch are deemed as being good
medicines and can vary depending upon personal preference. Some
may choose to carry sacred herbs, stones or other significant
items that are important to an individual. Medicines can change
depending on the circumstances for which it is being used. It
is very disrespectful to touch or open someone's pouch without
their permission.
Top
Answer
Feather
It
is believed that answer feathers help those seeking an answer
to something very important in their life. Some people create
answer feathers in various styles and colors and it is selected
through personal preference. When a feather is selected, a prayer
to the Creator is said and then the feather is kept with the
person or hid secretly until an answer is received. Once an
answer has been received, thanks is given to the Creator and
the feather can be released back to Mother Earth or cleanse
by the moon light and used again.
Top
Drum
The
most common drums used in the First Nation culture are the Round
Drum and the Hand Drum. Both drums are used in community gatherings
and for other ceremonial purposes. The Hand Drum or small drum,
is usually played by an individual and can be played alone or
with others. The Round Drum, or big drum, is played by a group
of individuals during special gatherings. All drums are cleanse
with Sweet Grass or Sacred Herbs before playing. The beat of
drum symbolizes the heart beat of Mother Earth and helps to
send messages to the Creator.
Top
Medicine
Wheel
The
Medicine Wheel is a concept used for teaching how to live a
balanced lifestyle. It represents wholeness and teachings may
vary depending on personal practices or beliefs. Generally,
the teachings are found within the four directions and also
takes into consideration the four races of the world - red,
yellow, black and white, the four elements, four sacred animals,
four seasons, four sacred herbs, and the four aspects to our
nature - the spiritual, physical, mental and environmental well
being of a person. As an item, the medicine wheel is a reminder
of the teachings and that one must try and show respect to the
Creator and all creations at all times.
Top
Dream
Catcher
The
Dream Catcher is symbolic to First Nation culture and can vary
in size, design and color. It is believed that the Dream Catcher
helps to prevent bad dreams and encourages good ones. There
are several legends written about the dream catcher and the
following is a commonly used story. One day an old woman and
spider caught eye and she was fascinated with the spider spinning
its web. For several days the woman returned to that spot and
each day the web grew larger. The woman's grandson came to visit
and she showed him the web. The grandson wanted to destroy the
web and kill the spider, but the woman would not let him harm
either. When the boy had left, the spider spoke to the woman;
because you saved my life, I am going to grant you one wish.
The woman replied that her only wish was, to learn how to weave
a web like the spider. So using a ring and thread, the spider
taught the woman how to weave. The spider explained that the
circle of the web meant continuous life and the hole in the
center would help get rid of bad dreams. The bad dreams would
get caught in the weave and parish at the first light of dawn.
Top
Sacred
Fire
The
Sacred Fire is a traditional practice of many First Nations
and is a spiritual ceremony that provides the opportunity to
say special prayers, ask for blessings, a time for mediattion,
or just enjoy the spiritual uplift that the Sacred Fire can
provide. First, a decision has to be made as to where the fire
is to be lit. The grounds are then blessed with Sacred Herbs
and Special Prayers. Large stones must be collected and placed
around the spot where the fire will be. Firewood must also be
collected, making sure there is enough to last throughout four
days of burning, which is the normal time frame for a Sacred
Fire. Sometimes small stakes with ribbons are placed at four
openings to the fire. This represents the four directions. A
special lighting ceremony takes place and then people may begin
to do their offerings and there ia always a Fire Keeper available
to help guide you. At the end of four days, there is a ceremony
for letting the fire burn out.
Top
Pipe
The
Pipe is a sacred item earned by participating in a number of
spirituality practices such as attending sweat lodges, fasting,
and other practices deemed necessary by an Elder of the person
wishing to earn a Pipe. Normally, the Pipe Carrier will perform
a sweet grass ceremony and make offerings to the Creator. The
Pipe is filled with tobacco and passed in a clockwise direction
to other participants. The sharing of the pipe is a sign of
friendship and respect and helps to open the heart and spirit.
To participate in a pipe ceremony is of a great honor for the
participants and the Pipe Carrier.
Top
Talking
Circle
The
Talking Circle is a method used for communicating in a group
setting. Conducted by a leader, a talking stick or item is
passed to individuals in a clockwise direction, allowing
them to share their thoughts. Although the Leader of the
Circle will mention the expectations of the circle, the most
important aspect is to ensure that the person holding the
talking item is the only person allowed to talk. 
All
others must show respect and wait their turn. The Circle, sometimes
referred to as a Healing Circle, is an opportunity to speak
about something specifically or talk in general. The Circles
can last as long as the group wishes and it is generally
disrespectful to break the circle until it is over or when
there is a time out agreed upon by the participants. The
circle formation enables everyone to be treated equally and
prevents a person from having their back to someone else.
There are many skills learned in circle such as: * Patience
- having to wait your turn; * Respect - giving each person
your attention even when what is being shared is not that
interesting; * Memory - having to wait to respond to what
someone or several people have shared; * Trust - ensuring
what gets said in the circle stays among the participants;
* Listening - trying not to let your mind wonder away from
what is being said.
Top
Eagle
The
Eagle is symbolic to First Nations's spirituality beliefs. With
its great ability to soar high in the sky, it is believed that
the Eagle serves as a messenger between all people and the Creator.
To see an Eagle is thought to bring good luck or happiness.
The Eagle shows great courage, strength, and vision. These qualities
enables the Eagle to hunt and fish - skillls that are important
to First Nation culture. Eagle Feathers are used during spirituality
practices and great respect must be shown at all times. Eagle
Feathers are presented to individuals for their wisdom, talents
or other reasons deemed important by the giver of the Feather
and it is one of the greatest honors.
Top
Pow Wow
The
Pow Wow, also referred to as a Gathering or Mawiomi, is an opportunity
for people to gather and share in many spiritual activities.
It is a time for dancing and drumming, feasting and sharing
of gifts. It is a time for celebrating and socializing and traditional
practices are common throughout the event such as; sunrise and
sunset ceremonies, sacred fire burning, talking circles, pipe
and sweet grass ceremonies. Many communities will host Gatherings
on an annual basis, mainly during the warmer months and as a
result creates what's known as the "Pow Wow Trail" . Alll are
welcome to these gatherings and there is always someone available
to help teach about the many ceremonies.
Top
Sweat
Lodge
Sweat
Lodges are circular shaped structures designed for the purpose
of cleansing the mind, body and spirit. Through the use of heated
stones, known as grandfathers, water is sprinkled to create
a steam needed to cleanse. Sweat Lodges are conducted by a Leader
who has earned the right to hold Sweats by gaining the necessary
wisdom and knowledge taught by the Elders. Sweats can be for
general prayer time or for specific healing of a person or community.
A Sweat Lodge is normally placed in an isolated location away
from distractions. A Lodge Keeper ensures that the ground and
area surrounding the Lodge is blessed and kept in a respectful
manner. Most Sweat Lodges belong to a community and can be set
up for either men or women or combined, often referred to as
a "mixed sweat."
Top
Importance
of Elders
Elders
are individuals who are respected for their wisdom, vision and
understanding of the culture. Although most Elders are normally
older, they may also be younger in age. Individuals will seek
out an Elder whom they have high regards and meet with them
to seek guidance. A person may also have several Elders in their
life's journey depending on the guidance they seek. Showing
respect to an Elder is one of the most importanct facets of
First Nation culture. It is the teachings of Elders that we
have come to learn that an Elder who demonstrates humbleness
possess one of the uniques gifts provided by the Creator and
seen as one of the most importanct teachings.
Top
Importance
of the Circle
Although
there are many beautiful explanations regarding the importance
of the circle, one of the most eloquent explanation comes from
the words of Black Elk Speaks - Spiritual Advisor of the Oglala
Sioux. " You have noticed that everything an Indian does is
in a circle and that is because the Power of the World always
works in circles and everything tries to be round. In the old
days, when we were a strong and happy people, all our power
came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation and so long as
the hoop was unbroken, the people flourished. The flowering
tree was the living center of the hoop and the circle of the
four quarters nourished it. The East gave peace and light, the
South gave warmth. The West gave rain and the North, with its
cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This knowledge
came to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything
the Power of the World does, is done in a circle. The sky is
round and I have heard the earth is round like a ball and so
are the stars. The wind, in its great power whirls. Brids make
their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.
The sun comes forth and goes down in a circle. the moon does
the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle
in their changing and always come back again to where they were.
The life of man is a circle from childhood to childhood and
so it is in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round
like the nests of birds and these were always set in a circle,
the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests where the Great Spirit
meant for us to hatch our children."
Top
