"common misconceptions about Native Americans" (rituals, tradition, beliefs)

[painted wolf]

Because the name "America" refered to the contenent long before it was the name of a country.
Mexicans, Hondurans, Canadians eaven Brazilians are also "American" in that they live in the Americas.
America is the name of the land... we were the native populous of that land.

Regardless as Maize pointed out, we have our own names for ourselves... usually it translates to "first people", "true people" or similer.
As a whole we often call ourselves the "first nations". We were the first nations in this land, so its pretty accurate.

wa:do

[1nharmony]

There seems to be good potential in this thread, however thus far, I'm not reading much of what I thought I would find here. That would be discussion regarding the misconceptions about Native American religious beliefs. I am new to the forum, so perhaps my expectations are out of line.

It is my understanding that what people would like to term "religion" in regards to Native Americans is really a way of life and is not something one can "join" or be converted to as with various Anglo religious belief systems. Is this a correct view? If so, then how do people of Indian ancestry who are not raised within the tribal culture "return to the old ways"?

[kreeden]

Hi 1nharmony . I will leave it for Paint Wolf to answer most of your questions , as she is the only practicing First Nation Traditionalist here . { that is about as PC as I can get ** But I think that the first thing to get straight is that there are many First Nation Cultures , and many different beliefs .

That along with the fact that many of these beliefs are often mispresented makes discussion about the topic kinda tricky . What holds true to one may not hold as true to another .

{ and PW , feel free to hit me with whatever is handy if I am misleading this in any way **

[painted wolf]

its true... we are incredably diverce.
it can make discussions of "native american beliefs" very tricky.

There are certen societies that you had to be initated into.. such as warrior societies, booger society and so on. Each one had its own ceremonies, songs and such.

For the most part you are not converted in the same way as in other Religions. Any religion includes the way you live.

Those of us who didn't grow up in the culture can still learn about it and become a part of it. You talk with your elders, participate and learn. Each nation has thier own rules as to who can legaly join the "tribe"... and then there are the federal laws that make things harder. (blood quantum and so on)
Most nations are much more inclusive than the federal government.

wa:do

[kreeden]

Warrior Societies are sometime that we hear more about in these parts these days . Or societies in general ??? I wonder if that is a part of the evovement of local Spirituality , or something that has just been renewed ?

Anyway , I was begining to think that you had wandered off on us PW . It is good to see that you hadn't .

[painted wolf]

heh sorry about that... havent had a lot of forum time and I guess I missed that anything had happined over here. It can get pretty dead from time to time.

The societies never realy went away, they are just becoming more reccognized now that they arn't illegal anymore.

wa:do

[kreeden]

And them they moved the thread on us too ... tried to hid it .

Yes , I know that the societies never went away . But one tends to hear more about them { histroyically ** in the east . Well , perhaps not ? Truth of the matter is that I don't know that much about the three local nations . If we weren't at war , we seem to have just forgotten about the First Nations . { which is very Canadian BTW :-| , we learn more about U.S. history in school then we do about our own **

[DTrent]

Painted Wolf -
Greetings! Something I'd like to know is WHY it SEEMS so many 'Native Americans' DO live on reservations in these times? It's 2006 and some people wonder why more of you are not 'infiltrated' into society as doctors, corporate CEO's, business owners, chefs, etc.
I've been told it's becuz 'the law' won't allow it? Something like when Blacks were not 'allowed' to work honestly to pursue those vocations/jobs at one time either?!? But were 'kept down in their own part of town' where there are bars on every street corner, drunkards & shiftless & lazy men?!?
I just don't buy it...

My husband is part Navajo & Semafair(Seminole). When our daughter was born, people called her our little 'papoose'.
I'm all for learning more about the culture of any and all tribes. Fascinating...

[painted wolf]

um dude... I don't know where you've been looking but we are out "in the real world" so to speak.
I certenly know more "off Rez" people than "on Rez" people.

We have doctors, soldiers, laywers, CEO's, a Senetor (Ben KnightHorse Cambell), numerous Actors, Musicians, Artists, an astronaut (John Herrington completed a Space walk on the Endevor in 2002) and eaven had a vice presidental candidate in the 2000 presidental race (Winona LaDuke ran with Ralph Nader) PGA proGolfer (Notah Begay), Race Car drivers
One of the early casualties of the Iraq war was a Hopi woman (Army PFC Lori Piestewa)

We arn't exactly hiding out "on the Rez". Its true that a lot of First Nations people live there, but hey its the last remaining soverign lands that the Nations hold.
It SEEMS we aren't out there because people don't seem to notice us. IMHO.

wa:do

[DTrent]

(Just for the record, I'm not a dude. "Dudette", perhaps?)

Thanx for the insite. I don't know why this info is not more readily known.
Perhaps 'the powers that be' are liking to keep it under wraps for some reason. I don't know...