I just thought I'd share. Yesterday we dedicated the newest warrior to our circle with our corn ceremony. It was so beautiful! It was the first corn ceremony that I participated in. Wow. It feels so good when we dance. Each dancer is a part of the whole circle and when we move together, I feel as if we are a single wave of the ocean. When I look into the eyes of my youngest son, age 17 months, I see him looking at our leader. He watches and he hears the drum. He smells the copal. And for him, it is just the way of life. Its nothing exotic. And it makes me feel good in my heart to see his eyes taking in the ceremony. He is attentive and comes closer and closer. And in that very instant, I see my ancestors and know that they did a good thing by sacrificing themselves to preserve our culture and ways for us--even at a great cost to themselves. Well, heres to keeping our ceremonies sacred and passing them on! :)

Thank you so much for sharing that experience with us. I love the ceremonies I take part in here, too, and I know how meaningful it is to you to see your baby growing up with this, where so many of us didn't get to.

You should just see his eyes! Thats what really gets me. Its like he "knows" whats going on. Its like I can see the understanding there. He doesn't cry our act out. He is very serene watching the ceremonies. Its almost as if his eyes contain 500 year old wisdom surrounded by his baby's face. Amazing....

There's a baby about two years old who has so impressed everyone that one of our Elders is making him regalia. The baby dances till everyone else is ready to go home and then he cries when he has to quit. He dances in the circle, always totally intent on watching the other dancers and trying to do their exact movements and footsteps. It's amazing. He's so tiny at only two years old. His parents have trouble getting him to even eat or drink all day.

That sounds so wonderful! What tribe are you, just out of curiosity? I feel sort of envious, because I was raised very "white." No traditional influence from either my mother of father's side. As I get older, I feel more and more lost, like I want to go home to something, but I have nothing to go back to, spiritually speaking.

NA religions are different than christianity in that you can't just join something and suddenly be part of it without having any connection to it. With Native sprituality getting ripped of by new-agers and the like, I understand the need for exclusiveness, but it puts people like me at a disadvantage, who are trying to figure out just where they come from at an older age. Having no support from family doesn't help either.

But anywayz...

It's great to hear about ceremonies and things having to do with Native religions. it's reassuring to know that these traditions are being kept alive for the generations to come.

Blueviolet

I know just how you feel! Our group is Mexica or better known as Aztec. However, many of our members are from different indigenous tribes.

As far as youself, have you considered contacting an elder for advise? Just remember there are a lot of protocols to follow but most elders understand that you are trying hard and will do what they suggest. Always approach an elder with a gift of tobacco before asking for advise. I'm not sure, but I know taht some tribes up in MN wrap the tobacco in red cloth. My people sometimes offer copal wrapped in a corn husk. But either way--offer a gift and humbly ask for advise in how to reclaim your heritage and spirituality. They will direct you from there. Don't be fooled, its hard work to start from ground zero. But if your heart is true then you will succeed.

blueviolet, I'm like you-----raised "white" because everyone was ashamed of being Indian, but my ancestry is Cherokee and I've learned a lot about my heritage. If you have any questions I can help you with, let me know. Even if you aren't Cherokee, I can still answer some basic questions for you.

Blueviolet,
I too was denied even knowing about my NA heritage for most of my life. When I was a teen-ager I had blue-black hair down past my waist and people asked me if I was Native or Japanese. Sadly I had to say I did not know for sure.I heard rumors but most people denied being Native back then, Honey they had their reasons. I too am Cherokee, but I always feel connected when I see or meet other Native people. I was so angry because I was always very Native but I waited for other people to give me permission. While I am an elder this year, I do respect elders and protocol, but most of them told me we each seek and find our own Nativity, individually and then corporately so we have something positive to bring to the table. I volunteered for several years to help with youth programs on the rezs. The elders say to respect and help the elders and the children, then the People will know you have a pure heart if you pass their scrutiny.
Having been raised mostly white but feeling mostly Native I just naturally buck the system a lot. I take the stand that it is our Native Ancestors that cry out to us thru our blood. We choose to hear and answer somehow. The ways of our people are rich and endless.My own family thru me away a long time ago because I did not look like most of them. I have superficial relationships with my kids, parents etc. but from the day I chose the Native way I have been on my own.
My husband is aztec-imari from Bolivia. He became an elder last year in age. this year he did his first sweatlodge ceremony in the pen in Spokane, Wa.Before that he was religious in a way that denied his rights to our culture and beliefs.We pick and choose a bit what works for us, but everybody does in their own way. You could probably find a lot of traits you have that were always Native in nature. You get roots and wings everytime you recognize them for yourself. I have yet to spend much time with Cherokees but I am so connected naturally and I am fourth generation too.
Wow relax, your desire to be whole will connect you in a spiritual way and the great Spirit will guide you into all truth, just keep your eyes and your heart open but guarded.
i want to bless your journey and say go for it! the dove

WOW---THANX SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THIS!!! I AM NOT A NATIVE AMERICAN BUT MY MOM SOMEWHAT PRACTICES YOUR RELIGION AND I AM WICCAN SO I DO KNOW ALL ABOUT DANCING AND CEROMONIES...I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE SHARED THIS SO OTHERS CAN KNOW THE BEAUTY!!!:)

Native american spirituality and ceremonies are NOT a religion! They are a way of life that has gone back for thousands of generations. Ceremonies are sacred. I'm happy for any non-native american to be an invited guest to our ways. However, I protest in any non-indignous person practicing in ceremonies without consent of an elder. I'm not trying to be offensive to anyone here. Please don't think that I am saying that native american lifestyle or ceremony is off limits for non-indigenous people. There is a certain protocol that must be followed and respected. For example, our corn ceremonies are sometimes open to the public, but no photos or video are allowed. Please respect my culture.