The Indian Way

Mother Earth provides our food, clothing, water, and homes. We are each responsible for taking care of these things that she provides, and we are each responsible for teaching others to do the same. Take only what you need, and leave the land as you found it.

~FOOD~

It is not good to take too much. It is not good to take more than you can use. You should always leave an offering of sage for thanks when you take another living thing for food. This is to thank their spirit for giving up their physical bodies for our food so we may live.

~HOME~

Everyone has the spirit of the Creation in their homes. Everything the home is made from and everything in it comes from the earth. This is a medicine power. The respect for this medicine is shown by honoring all those who live in the home.

~OUR ELDERS~

we should always take care of our elders. Without our elders, we would not exist and all our future generations would not live. We must always respect our elders in their words and their ways.

~ANIMALS~

Animals are our companionson Mother Earth. They help us in our work and some provide us with food. Others still live freely. All should have our respect and friendship.

~PLANTS~

Plants not only provide us with food and medicine but they also provide wood for our homes and fuel for our fires. They hold the earth so that it cannot blow away or wash away. They provide oxygen that we breathe. They are beautiful companions to us here on Mother Earth.

~THE SUN~

The sun is powerful. It provides us with the clean power of electricity and energy. It purifies our air and water.

~THE WIND~

The wind is related to the Thunder Beings and that the power of rain and thunder and lightening is good for all living things. The wind is the breath of our Mother, the Earth, ans to breathethe wind is taking and sharing her power within yourself.

~WATER~

Water is the blood of our Mother Earth. The rain washes the air and the streams wash the Earth. Without water nothing could grow and without water we are nothing. It is good to say thank you for all the clean water that the Creation has provided for us for not life can exist without water.

~THE MOON~

When we see the moon change, and come and go again, that is like life. With change there is growth, and everything lives and dies.

~SAGE OFFERINGS~

When we offer sage to other living things, we are offering a gift that stands for out respect for all life. When we show our respect for other living things, the respond with respect for us.

~THE SWEAT LODGE~

The sweat lodge is one of the most important Indian practices. It is used to purify your mind and body. It is conducted before and after all other ceremonies.

All the elements that are found in our Mother Earth are present.

The fire that heats the stones represents the powers of the Creation and the sun.
The rocks reperesents our Mother Earth.
The water represents the change of our lives.
The air represents the breath of our Mother Earth.

~THE SUNDANCE~

The Sundance is one of the most imprtant ceremonies of many tribes. It was misnamed by non-Indians who thought it was about worshipping the sun. The true name is the Offering Lodge. Those people who participate are giving themselves up to the Creation by fasting, with out food and water, for up to seven days. Their purpose is to bring a good life for the people, their families, themselves, and for all living things, our relitives.

~MEDICINE WHEELS~

Medicine wheels are artistic expressions of the important things in our lives.

1.
The night sun or crecsent moon. It represents a person and everything that lives and dies.

2.
The sacred morning star, which stands between the darkness and the light. It represents knowledge.

3.
The sun; it represents the power to grow. Our grandfather, which represents all living things in the universe.

4.
Our Mother Earth and all of her life: all the two-leggeds, four leggeds, the ones who fly, the ones who swim, and the ones who slither in the grasses.

5.
The heavens and all our relitives,
all living things in the universe.

>>>>>------------Cherokee---------->>>>>>