Native spirituality?????

Question

I am wondering about manufactured cultures. For a number of years now, I have lived in a town where well-meaning "white" and First Nations people have tried to merge cultural traditions from across Canada and the United States and then tried to convince the local FN that this is part of their traditions.

Examples: medicines wheels and sweat lodges. The native groups here never had or practiced either. I am a firm believer that much of this plain and simply made up and extremely hokey! Much like the famous speech from Chief Seattle which I have seen bring naive new agers to tears.

Many of these so-called traditions often presented in workshop form, offer cute little bon mots but nothing more. Many people try to convince themselves that this nonsense is true but it is extremely difficult in this day and age to will yourself to believe so.

I think many of these people are perpetrating a fraud upon people.

I don't think this is being disrespectful at all. In fact, just the opposite. If this fake stuff starts to take the place of real research on culture, the real culture will die.

If you think the plight of FN is hard now, just wait until this happens!

Never meant to suggest that the medicine wheel or the sweat lodge was made up. What is made up is that these were not indigenous to the FN's in this area. Hence, for here, it is made up!

Answer 1

Im non native but lived on a res for 13 yrs and believe me I've seen and learned alot of beautiful things I don't know where you are but I would suggest learning more before being disrespectful to my native friends and family

Answer 2

Good answers.
I think the underlying issue for you, and a lot of Native Americans, is that you feel that something that is precious and sacred to you is being dishonored not only by the charlatans, the fakirs, or those who manufacture these various "indian" articles, but by anyone who has even a genuine interest in the Native Culture, and it's spiritualism.
Some Natives can be very cliqueish; in your efforts to preserve your traditions, you invariably shut out those who in the spirit of true peace and harmony want to connect with you on a spiritual level. And that is sad.

Answer 3

I live in an area where the "hippie dippie hug the world" kind of idiots are working in social programs, have become entrenched in native services and are trying to force the local natives to "adopt" cultural norms in order to "facilitate"
"spiritual healing" that have nothing to do with their own culture.

This is like telling me I have to adopt an Italian culture as my own because we all came from Europe. Lets just throw everything in a hat, shake it up and see what comes out that we like -- (I mean the white people) This is the fraud.

For example a teepee has made an appearance downtown which is supposedly part of the "historial information" on local natives and their life style.

There is also a "sundance ceremony" and a whole lot of hokum about medicine sticks and wheels and specific legends and spirits. (none of which are part of the local culture).

Where is the local culture and its unique history in healing, legends, spirits etc? It seems to be lost in this stupidity of white hippie dippie etc invention of some kind of hollywood romantic fiction.

The natives in this area are traditionally fishermen and gatherers. (not Haida) Which brings me to question the totem poles everywhere.

They have a strong native culture that is unique to this region. We are seeing more and more carvings for sale that arent indigenous to this area.

The natives lived in river valleys which are very hot in summer and cold in winter, pit houses were the residence of choice and these are facinating and have a rich history and culture associated with them - so why the dam teepee?

Because its easier then digging a hole and somehow more "romantic"?

I have authored a Metaphysical book and the research on Native culture and spiritualism was overwhelming in its geographical diversity.

There is no "one size fits all" anymore than my European ancestors, the Vikings had the same culture as the Russians, Greeks or Italians.

Its an insult to try to blend it all into one culture and impose dissimilar cultures on to others.

I am not opposed to native business selling art etc to tourists or whoever, I am against this attempt to homogenize the native culture.

Answer 4

Different tribes and groups of Natives have different traditions and practice different things. Not every native practives the same in all parts of the world. I come from a long line of Ojibwa natives and a part of their cultural heritage includes the Sweat Lodge and Medicine Wheel. None of which are "Hokey" or "Made up". I would suggest you research ALL clans of Native in all parts of the world before claiming their practice as "Hokey" or "Made up". You're looking for a world of hurt.

Answer 5

Several of my friends (I'm partially First American) have made very clear their opinion of the Pay-Your-Way spiritual nonsense that people buy into now.

No one pays for a genuine sweat lodge. You're invited.

So much nonsense spread around, sometimes by First Americans out to get a quick buck and not thinking of the long-range consequences.

Such is the path of those who have lost the way of being a human being.

Answer 6

I am not of any certain heritage, but in the late 1950's &
early 60's I was judged by the fact that I wore a black leather
jacket instead of who I was as a person. This was caused by
movies, like the bad cowboy would always wear a black hat.
All anyone can do is grin & bear it. Its their lack of know-
ledge so send them a book on your customs & ask them
to respect them.

Answer 7

Alot of these (Groups,People) are frauds...making money and doing things they claim are connected to American Indian spirituality...and alot of it is BS....I find that people who have no blood ties are always looking to connect in some way to Indian people......alot of those dreamcatchers you see people with on their windshields are made in China, Taiwan....Newagers like to combine different cultures and add their own beliefs to it....I find that alot of them have no clue on what they are doing....they have no respect for Indian spirituality.....I have argued with these same fakes who exploit our beliefs and they seem to think what they are doing is nothing wrong .....but it is.....most have never been to a Rez let alone been around Real Skins....they would rather go find some Idiot fore filling their dream of becoming a GREAT SHAMAN!.....all they do is perpetrate a fraud.....the do sweats for a price and charge people for naming ceremonies.....and get rich.......and make up lies about how their great grandmother was some great princess of the crystal wannabe's....give me a break!

Answer 8

It's complete and utter CRAP.
It's the result of "alleged" lakota 'missionaries' tryin to spread the 'wankantanka/ jesus' crap.

I run into them all the time, AND I'M IN CALI!!
Come to powwow in MY homelands and tell me not to smoke because it's 'sacred'.
And then you have these twinkies. . . crystal rubbin, sacred spirit cd playin, burning sage while chanting nonsense or xtian prayers. .

All we can really do is let people know they're a load of BS.

All in all, they're just looking for a shortcut. For the most part NOBODY takes them seriously.

They do however make the powwow a lil more enjoyable. Gives us something to laff at, and SOMEBODY has to buy all them pink touron dream catchers and actually PAY for the frybread.

HEECHAA!

Answer 9

Believe what you want to believe. 'If harm none, do what you will' Who cares if the sweat lodge is something new or old, if it helps you then great...if not, try something else.