Aboriginal Spirituality Flashcards
Definition and significance of wampum
A wampum is a beaded belt. It is used to record agreements. It can depict spiritual belief and practice from centuries ago.
Describe the disagreement concerning the origins of aboriginal people and explain each idea
This conflict is creationism vs. evolution or religion vs. science. The aboriginal community believe they came from the ground (a spiritual take on origin). Scientists believe the aboriginal people came from Eurasia and crossed the Bering straight after the ice age. It cannot be traced because it is the land of the indigenous population.
How do archaeologists know indigenous people have been in the americas for a long time?
They have found aboriginal artifacts, such as wampums, rock paintings, burial sites and wooden carvings from 10 000 years ago
What are the 6 main cultural aboriginal groups in Canada?
Subarctic, Plateau, Great Plains, Arctic, Northwest Pacific Coast and Northwest Woodlands
What are the general differences between these 6 groups.
As examples, they all have clans represented by animals, but these animals vary. Their religious beliefs and practices may also differ.
Describe key points of the Subarctic cultural group.
- thick forests and mountains to the east, rock and swamp on the Canadian shield and many lakes and rivers in the prairies
- Innu, Montagnais, James Bay Cree, the Dene
- hunted deer and caribou
Describe key points of the Plateau cultural group.
- Kootenay nation
- live at the base of the Rocky Mountains
- Hunt elk, bear and caribou
Describe key points of the Great Plains cultural group.
- seven languages
- thirty nations: includes Sioux, Cree, Siksika/Blackfoot
- dependant on the buffalo: used for everything including shoes, shields, etc.
Describe key points of the Arctic cultural group.
- Inuit nations including Mackenzie, Labrador and Caribou
- depend on the seal for boots, bags, clothing, etc.
Describe key points of the Northwest Pacific Coast cultural group.
- Haida, Tlingit and Salish nations
- dependant on the sea and live on cedar houses on the beach
- harpooned whales and trapped salmon
- carved totem poles
Describe key points of the Northeast woodlands cultural group.
- Iroquois live at st. Lawrence river and lakes
- live in longhouses
- farmed the three sisters: corn, squash and beans
- formed six nation confederacy: Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora
- clans/families were defined by animals
- connection to and reliance on nature was the source of spirituality
Definition and significance of animism
Belief that everything in the world is alive/ all things have spirits or souls. Living things live in connection and harmony with each other. In aboriginal spirituality, even spirits return to environment
Describe aboriginal spirituality and it’s belief in god(s).
Can be described as polytheistic, believing in many gods, instead of monotheistic, believing in one god. Most people believe in the supreme creator, but other spirits are personified, such as sky woman or the sea woman. Aboriginal spirituality is matriarchal.
Definition and significance of creation story and examples
Story explaining the beginning of man, important role in indigenous culture to question existence. “Turtle Island” (NE woodlands) - a woman falling from the sky who is helped by the animals to create North America or the world. Another (NW Pacific) - raven coaxes humans out of clamshell onto land
Significance of death and afterlife stories and examples
Reincarnation is a common belief. Sioux - four souls depart from a dead person, one along the spirit path, others are reborn into new bodies. Arctic - face animals towards where they are from so they may return there.
Definition and significance of totems
- link to ancestors
- protective entities (plant, animal, mythological being) of families
- those with same totem are close relatives and cannot marry
Significance of rituals and practices
Ceremonies keep spirituality alive along with art and symbol. Connects one to ancestral beliefs.
Definition and significance of the morning dance
Ojibwa - (A.K.A. Wabeno) participants fast and cleanse themselves, then a male elder plays a drum an leads a dance around a selected tree. Each dancer touches tree to give thanks, then at midday feast. Pays homage to the “tree of the universe”
Definition and significance of the Sundance
Great Plains Nations - In early summer, participants starve themselves for four days, then dance around the “tree of the universe”. Then stab their own chests with pointed hooks and pull out flesh to give body as sacrifice to creator, the only thing that is truly ours. This is in exchange for the benefit of the suffering, such as healing, and pays homage to the sun’s life-giving powers.
Definition and significance of the potlatch ceremony
NW Pacific Coast - Feast, dance and song is hosted for an important event. The more wealth the host gives away that day, the more status they earn for their clan. This honours the Great Spirit
Definition and significance of the sweat lodge
Great Plains - Lead by a shaman, participants gather around heated stones soaked with water in a confined space. Perspiring heavily cleanses the body physically and spiritually. Prayers and a sacred pipe are shared. This renews the soul.
Definition and significance of the shaking tent
Subarctic - a circle about a meter in diameter is formed from poles and wrapped in hide or bark. The shaman enters the tent and communicates with the spirits to ask for guidance. People tell the shaman what they need help with. It happens at night. This represents the aboriginal peoples’ belief in the supernatural world and it’s close relationship to the living
Definition and significance of oral teachings
Elders and Shamans pass on stories and lessons though speech. Sometimes totems, necklaces or wampums are used to help retell the story. This passes belief and prayer through generations.
Definition and significance of elder
A person recognized to have great wisdom and experience who tells tories and passes on knowledge, a keeper of tradition.Share skills for the future and are highly valued. Traditional Knowledge (knowledge of the elders) is taught in schools and elders are representatives of aboriginal people in most councils.
