[nothemama8]

do we have any Native Americans, that can fill us in on some of there beliefs, being only part I know some, but would like to know more
Angie

[SeptemberMorn]

The Great Spirit! Ah, yes! I do believe Sky can do that!

[nothemama8]

just wondering if any other native americans can tell us about their belifs at this time of year

[(JD)]

I'm not going to with a foe afoot. Maybe fayerody or another will.

[nothemama8]

awwwwww a very wise spirit has spoken

[mlyn]

Question is not right. Native Americans do not all believe the same either. Many dance for Jesus many do not.

[DenVII]

This site has a lot of such information about many expressions of religion......and a bit on Native American rituals.

NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY:
bullet The Pueblo tribe observe both the summer and winter solstices. Although the specific details of the rituals differ from pueblo to pueblo, "the rites are built around the sun, the coming new year and the rebirth of vegetation in the spring....Winter solstice rites include...prayerstick making, retreats, altars, emesis and prayers for increase." 6
bullet The Hopi tribe "is dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life." Their ceremony is called "Soyal." It lasts for 20 days and includes "prayerstick making, purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing..." 6
bullet There are countless stone structures created by Natives in the past to detect the solstices and equinoxes. One was called Calendar One by its modern-day finder. It is in a natural amphitheatre of about 20 acres in size in Vermont. From a stone enclosure in the center of the bowl, one can see a number of vertical rocks and natural features in the horizon which formed the edge of the bowl. At the solstices and equinoxes, the sun rises and sets at notches or peaks in the ridge which surrounded the calendar.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm

Has many wonderful links.

Enjoy.

[DenVII]

Honoring the solstice is something lost to most of us, and it feels deeply meaningful, in a mystical sort of way, to choose to make a glimmer of connection. Here is a winter solstice rite observed by many Native American tribes. It is a ritual that honors your ancestors, belief system, and a way of offering prayer and gratitude:

Prayer sticks are made by everyone in a family for four days before the solstice. On the day named as the solstice, the prayer sticks are planted-at least one by each person-in small holes dug by the head of the household. Each prayer stick is named for an ancestor or deity.

Traditional prayer sticks are usually:

Made out of cedar and are forked;
Are equivalent to the measurement from the maker's elbow to the tips of their fingers;
and
Are taken from a tree that the maker feels connected to.
Tobacco is offered to the largest tree of the same species in the area and permission is asked to take a part of its relative.
The bark can be stripped.
The bark can be carved on the stick.
One feather should be added to the prayer stick; traditionally this is a wild turkey feather.
A bit of tobacco is placed in a red cloth and tied onto one of the forks.
Fur or bone from an animal that the maker wishes to honor is tied onto the stick.
Metal or stones should not be tied to the stick.
It is also customary to say prayers silently as one makes the prayer stick.

[SeptemberMorn]

[nothemama8]

DenVII when I asked my original question it was in hopes that those of native american decent would reply if you are quoting from books it ain't the same critter, you must walk a mile in my moccacins to know the true spirituality

[DenVII]

For obvious reasons, real Native Americans are reluctant to share their religious beliefs with people who have called those beliefs "WRONG" and forced Christianity upon them concurrent with genocide.

A great many now consider those beliefs secret.

I shared some info from a couple of general information sites and that's probably the best you will get.

Sorry I tried to help.

My grandmother, by the way, was 1/2 Ojibwe.

[nothemama8]

dear sweet Den VII, being that I'am of mixed heritage, I understand the reasons, I was trying to get others of my culture to speak, yes you found good stuff, but I wanted my ppl 's input also
Angie