Canadian Aboriginal Spirituality Flashcards
a broad term referring to people who are First Nations, Métis, and Inuits
Aboriginal peoples
Many Aboriginal peoples identify themselves with a term that means “___________” in their language
“the people”
The word “religion” is not one that most indigenous people use to describe their spiritual practices. “___________” is preferred
“spirituality” or “spiritual traditions”
Aboriginal men or women who are recognized, respected, and consulted for their wisdom, experience, knowledge, bg, and insight; not necessarily one of the oldest ppl in the community
Elders
Spiritual traditions are deeply connected to the ___________
physical environment
Life is seen as _______
Interconnected
Aboriginal spiritual traditions are passed on in what way?
orally
The trad. way of edu. Was by _____, _____, and ______.
example, experience, and storytelling
Refers to native, original, or earliest known inhabitants of a region
Indigenous
“________” is a term used in the Indian Act. Registered _________ are entitled to services from the federal gov.
“Status Indian”
Absorb one group into the culture of another
Assimilate
Many Europeans considered their own ways “_______” but Aboriginal ways “_______”
civilized
uncivilized
________________
was passed to assimilate Aboriginal people into European sulture
The Gradual Civilization Act (1857)
___________________
set out the federal gov’s responsibility for edu of Status Indian children aged 6-18
Th Indian Act (1876)
Starting in 1885, one West Coast Aboriginal ceremony—the ________—was banned
potlatch
non-religious
secular
a dialogue within a religion
intra-religious dialogue
In many Aboriginal cultures, people use a talking ______, _____, or _____ to help them talk and listen respectfully
feather
stick
stone
Many Aboriginal people consider __________ sacred because the ______ is viewed as a divine messenger
eagle feathers
eagle
Aboriginal peoples make decisions through a process of _______ (of coming to agreement as a group)
consensus
In the far north, _____ might be used for navigation + communication and have spiritual meaning
Inuksuk
Trad spiritual practices have the following in common:
- their strong relationship to the physical environment
- their underlying belief that life is interconnected
4 plants considered sacred
cedar
sage
tobacco
sweetgrass
The cleansing smoke from _______ can be used to purify ppl and places
Smudging
This ceremony involves all elements of earth, fire, air, water, it stresses oneness and hnity of all creation
Sacred pipe ceremony
Ceremony aims to purify the body, mind, spirit, and heart ti restore right relationships with self, others, the Creator, and all of creation.
The Sweat Lodge
a closed structure built around a pit into which heated rocks are placed during the ceremony
sweat lodge
In most aboriginal communities, young ppl go on a ___________—an intense, solitary, spiritual exp for those seeking direction in life
vision quest
Among some men, 3 braided strands signify:
body
mind
spirit
A ceremony for returning the body to the mother Earth
The wake
A ceremony to commune with spirits who have passed to the spirit workd
Round dance
The cree believe that the ___________ are the spirits of dead relatives dancing
Northern Lights (aurora borealis)
celebration; a way of recognizing the spirits that acted on their behalf to give them food and if renewing the earth by prayers chants and dances
“Thanksgiving”
Harvest feast
dance of renewal for the restoration of right relationships and the healing of all creation
The Powwow
- Celebrated by ppls of the Prairies in June/July @ full moon
- purpose: renewal of dedication to the Great Spirit
Sun dance
- birth, wedding, death
- giving gifts of blanket, beadwork, crafts, to fam, friends, visitors + ceremonial dance + sing
Giveaway
celebration to redistribute wealth in a community
Potlatch
THE SAME ENERGY INHABITS ALL THINGS
Siouan peoples call energy _____.
______ is the Great Spirit.
Wakan
Wakan Tanka or Wakonda
THE SAME ENERGY INHABITS ALL THINGS
- Haudenksaund (Iroquois)
- distinct spirit that, from time to time, attaches itself to an obj or animal
Orenda
THE SAME ENERGY INHABITS ALL THINGS
- Algonkian-speaking peoples
- “Great Mystery” “Great Mysterious One” “Great Spirit”
Manitou
Aboriginal ppls believe in _____________ who inhabits all things
a Great Spirit
- credited for giving the Earth the form it has today
- mean & generous
Trickster
An aboriginal spiritual leader
shaman
Time is considered to be _____—divided into its 4 seasons
circular
ETHICS
- do bot interfere
- the community is important
- everything is shared
