|
|
 |
|
A quote from Native American Religions by
Arlene Hirschfelder and Paulette Molin
(Facts on File, New York, 1992, ISBN 0-8160-2017-5)
is instructive:
".....the North American public remains ignorant about Native American religions.
And this, despite the fact that hundreds of books and articles have been published by
anthropologists, religionists and others about native beliefs......Little of this scholarly
literature has found its way into popular books about Native American religion..."
Yet Natives culture and religion should be valued. They have made many contributions
to North American society:
an awareness of concern for the environment
food staples such as corn, beans, squash, potatoes and sweet potatoes
the design of the kayak, toboggan and snowshoe
the original oral contraceptive
cotton
over 200 drugs, derived from native remedies
It is ironic that the wine that is the Christians' most sacred substance, used in the
Mass to represent the blood of their God, has caused such a trail of devastation within
Native populations. And the Natives' most sacred substance, tobacco, has caused major
health problems for so many Christians.
According to the Canadian 1991 census, there were 1,002,945 Canadians with North American
Indian, Métis and/or Inuit ancestry. 10,840 are recorded as following an aboriginal spiritual
path. The latter is believed to be greatly under-reported.
|
|
|
Eagle Chief (Letakos-Lesa) Pawnee
In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals, for Tirawa, the One Above, did not speak directly
to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beast, and that from them, and from the stars
and the sun and moon should man learn.. all things tell of Tirawa.
All things in the world are two. In our minds we are two, good and evil. With our eyes we see two things, things that
are fair and things that are ugly.... We have the right hand that strikes and makes for evil, and we have the left hand full
of kindness, near the heart. One foot may lead us to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
