Native American: The United States, Canada, Mexico
This section attempts to provide some basic information about Native American history, traditions, culture, philosophy and spirituality through text and video clips.
The information is in no way definitive, comprehensive, or universally-agreed upon.
Given the number of tribes and their differences, we have chosen instead to try to only give the 'barebones' in the hopes of at least providing you with some of what is common to most of the "First Peoples" and their traditions; and, most importantly, in the hopes of providing you with simple tools, practices, rituals, and ideas that can have practical application in your life.
Native American 10 Commandments
The Earth is our Mother; care for Her
Honor all your relations.
Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.
All life is sacred; treat all beings with respect.
Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.
Do what needs to be done for the good of all.
Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each day.
Speak the truth but only for the good in others.
Follow the rythms of Nature.
Enjoy life's journey; but leave no tracks.
Below you will find information on:
Shamanism
Medicine Wheels
Walking The Red Road
Smudging
Sacred Pipe Use
The Uses of sweetgrass
Crystal Use
Setting up 'Talking' and 'Healing Circles'
Power Animals
Story Telling
Laylines and how they relate to places of power
Shamanic journeying and vision quests
First, we'd like to recommend a short film inspired by the visions of Willy Whitefeather. It tries to show how much we've strayed from walking The Red Road, the consequences of that choice, as well as how to begin returning to the path.
Hope: Visions of Whitefeather
Shamanism:
Who Are the Shaman?
The Medicine Wheel:
Although sometimes there are variations in terms of the colors of the 4 and/or 7 directions and what they stand for, what follows is common to many of the Native American tribes that survive today.
These three short videos provide an excellent overview of the Medicine Wheel and its applications to Native American views on spirit, the mind, the body, and emotions.
