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By Despina Ikik, Jamie Liddell, Zack Lopez, Tamkin Naghshbandi , Rachel Tam
Aboriginal Spirituality
Timeline
35,000 - 15,000 BCE
Scientists
theorize that
people migrated
from Asia to
North America
over the Bering
land bridge
1000 CE
The first recorded
meeting between
Europeans
(Norse) and
Aboriginal
peoples in
Newfoundland
1784 CE
the leadership of
Joseph Brant,
Mohawks settle
on the Grand
River after being
displaced
following the
American
Revolution
1800 CE
The code of
Handsome Lake
is developed
1815 CE
Handsome Lake
dies, Aug 10
1830’s CE
Creation of
residential school
system
1884 CE
Potlatch
ceremonies are
banned by the
federal
government
1876 CE
Indian Act is
passed
A residential
school is turned
into the Woodland
Cultural Centre in
Brantford,
Ontario
1970 CE
1990 CE
Elijah Harper
stops Meech Lake
Accord
The Oka Crisis
explodes when
plans for a golf
course clash with
Aboriginal sacred
burial grounds
1998 CE
Canadian
Government
expresses
profound regret
to Canada’s
Aboriginal
peoples for past
mistreatment and
issues Statement
of Reconciliation
1999 CE
The new territory
of Nunavut is
created
OriginCannot pinpoint an
origin/founder of Aboriginal spirituality
Origins are ancient beyond record, theory says they “came out of this ground”
Archaeological evidence supports that Aboriginal people migrated from Asia to North and South America by land bridge over Bering Strait (between Alaska & Russia), approx. 35,000 years ago
Origin80% of the world’s
Aboriginal peoples live in Asia
13% live in North/South America
Currently, 800,000 Aboriginal people live in Canada, some in every province
Key BeliefsMany Aboriginal’s
believe that everything in the world is alive
All things human & non-human have spirits or souls
Known as Animism.
Key BeliefsSome say this belief is
polytheistic, believing in many gods
Believe in a supreme Creator
Black Elk, born 1863, Sioux holy man from the Great Plains
His theory was that every living thing was related and we were at one with all of them
Symbols
Totem PolesLink Aboriginal
people to their mythical ancestors
They are protective entities (plant, animal or mythological being of a clean individual)
People of the same totem are considered to be close relatives and may not marry
The Tree of PeaceConnects earth to
heavenIntegral to the sun
danceThe white pine is key
for Iroquois because they gather around it to offer thanks to the earth
Dream CatchersWith this device the
Aboriginals believe that bad dreams are filtered through the web and displaced into the universe and good dreams are held onto the web for you to hold on to
Medicine Wheel• Made by laying many
stones in a particular pattern
• Symbol of healing and connection with the elements
• All over North America• Manifestation of spiritual energy• Usually, there are four sections
Key PracticesRituals and Ceremonies
Morning Dance/ Wabeno• southern Ontario• cleanse• Male elders lead • Dance around a
cotton wood tree• Gives respect to the
Tree of the Universe• This lasts from dawn
to noon • A huge feast of meat
and fish follows
• in the Great Plains• 8 to 16 days• Summer• Banned in the 1880s
but is practised now
What they do:• Prayer• Promises• Dance
Sun Dance
Northwest Pacific coastBanned in 1884, ban lifted in 1951Celebration of
important eventsSongs and dance are
performed to the Great Spirit
Host distributes wealthThe more they give away,
the more prestigious the host becomes.
Potlatch Ceremony
Great Plains nationsRenews the soul and
helps to regain focusCleanses bodiesA sauna like dome is built and
participants go insidePrayers and sacred pipes are
also shared
Sweat Lodge
Shaking TentSub Arctic to Great
Lakes regionRepresents the
values and beliefs of the supernatural world
Communicate with spirits
Build a cylindrical tent
This is ceremony always at night
SmudgingPractised all over Cleansing,
purificationBurns sweet grass
and Tobacco
Prayers are passed down through generations by telling and retelling stories and events
Elders and Shamans memorise the stories and become “keeper” who then pass them on to younger generations
Oral Teachings
Ancestry: 2001: 1.3 million report Aboriginal ancestry [4.4%/ total population]
2001: 1 million identified as being AboriginalAboriginal fertility > above overall Canadian
birth rate
Adherence and Influence on 21st Century
Medicine: “medicine men” (rarely women)Medicine men > only people to pronounce
illness/disease Use plants + magicMethods/ Plants used in 21st Century :Lemongrass, tamarind, red ash
Adherence and Influence on 21st Century
Religion changeable, absorbs elements of other beliefs
“Feeling of oneness and belonging”Spiritual connection to landCeremonies (corroborees): totems,
community gathering, story telling, dreaming, storytelling
Religious Significance
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