Mi’kmaq Spirituality

Some Aspects of Mi’kmaq Spirituality FeathersFeathers Sacred pipeSacred pipe Sweet grassSweet grass DrumsDrums Sweat lodgeSweat lodge SmudgingSmudging

Feathers Feathers are very sacred to our people, in particular the Eagle's feather. The eagle is the only creature that is said to have touched the face of God.Feathers are very sacred to our people, in particular the Eagle's feather. The eagle is the only creature that is said to have touched the face of God.

Feathers The presentation of an eagle feather is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon anyone. It is only presented to someone who has given of him or herself unselfishly in order to benefit the community not just themselves.The presentation of an eagle feather is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon anyone. It is only presented to someone who has given of him or herself unselfishly in order to benefit the community not just themselves.

Sacred Pipe Our sacred pipe is often referred to as the "peace pipe". It is sacred and often used in the sweat lodge ceremonies.Our sacred pipe is often referred to as the "peace pipe". It is sacred and often used in the sweat lodge ceremonies.

Sacred Pipe The pipe is broken into two pieces, symbolizing a man and a woman. When these pieces are joined, to symbolize unity, it becomes a sacred part of the ceremony.The pipe is broken into two pieces, symbolizing a man and a woman. When these pieces are joined, to symbolize unity, it becomes a sacred part of the ceremony. Our ceremonies teach us to have dignity and pride in ourselves as Mi'kmaq people. We have pride in the fact that we practice a different way of living.Our ceremonies teach us to have dignity and pride in ourselves as Mi'kmaq people. We have pride in the fact that we practice a different way of living.

Sweet Grass

Sweet grass is a sacred herb which has the property to bring the positive energies of love. A sweet grass ceremony is a cleansing and purification healing process in and of itself.Sweet grass is a sacred herb which has the property to bring the positive energies of love. A sweet grass ceremony is a cleansing and purification healing process in and of itself.

Sweet Grass Also referred to as smudging the ceremony serves as the opening process for prayer circles, gatherings and or higher ceremonies.Also referred to as smudging the ceremony serves as the opening process for prayer circles, gatherings and or higher ceremonies.

Sweet Grass When the sweet grass is burned, a sacred place is created for the spirits to listen and provide energies of love.When the sweet grass is burned, a sacred place is created for the spirits to listen and provide energies of love. Once the sacred circle has been established, the participating people are energetically cleaned as well.Once the sacred circle has been established, the participating people are energetically cleaned as well.

Sweet grass Each person is to fan the sweet grass smoke, first to their heart, second to their mind, third around their body and lastly, return the smoke to their heart.Each person is to fan the sweet grass smoke, first to their heart, second to their mind, third around their body and lastly, return the smoke to their heart. The prayer said during this process is, Creator, please cleanse me of my negativity and fill me with the positive energies of love, so that, as I am healed so may I work for the healing of our Earth Mother.The prayer said during this process is, Creator, please cleanse me of my negativity and fill me with the positive energies of love, so that, as I am healed so may I work for the healing of our Earth Mother.

Drums The drum with its drum beat represents the center of all life as if it were the heart providing life with its heart beat. Center to all things in creation is the drum, in the same way as the heart provides life for the body.The drum with its drum beat represents the center of all life as if it were the heart providing life with its heart beat. Center to all things in creation is the drum, in the same way as the heart provides life for the body.

Drums Generally all Native people, for centuries and centuries, have held on to the belief that the heart and the drum share the same purpose and responsibility, that is providing life through its beat.Generally all Native people, for centuries and centuries, have held on to the belief that the heart and the drum share the same purpose and responsibility, that is providing life through its beat.

Drums This conception of the drum and the heart as the center and the source of life promotes a "oneness" concept between man and nature.This conception of the drum and the heart as the center and the source of life promotes a "oneness" concept between man and nature.

Sweat Lodge The sweat lodge is an ancient Native place of spiritual communicating that is used by all Native peoples in both North and South America.The sweat lodge is an ancient Native place of spiritual communicating that is used by all Native peoples in both North and South America. The construction of a sweat lodge usually is made of willow bushes that are placed in a particular way and direction. so that the door always faces the easterly direction.The construction of a sweat lodge usually is made of willow bushes that are placed in a particular way and direction. so that the door always faces the easterly direction.

Sweat Lodge The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is a ceremony that is very humble and starts with Mother Earth. The sweat lodge teaches us how to have respect for the women in our community and in the world.The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is a ceremony that is very humble and starts with Mother Earth. The sweat lodge teaches us how to have respect for the women in our community and in the world.

Sweat Lodge It teaches us respect, patience, endurance and speaking our minds freely.It teaches us respect, patience, endurance and speaking our minds freely. A sweat lodge usually accommodates from 4-12 persons seated in a sitting position around the central dugout where the preheated rocks (grandfathers) are put to generate heat and steam inside the lodge for the ceremony.A sweat lodge usually accommodates from 4-12 persons seated in a sitting position around the central dugout where the preheated rocks (grandfathers) are put to generate heat and steam inside the lodge for the ceremony. In the traditional Native world the participants in the sweat lodge ceremony are "cleansed" or "spiritually healed."In the traditional Native world the participants in the sweat lodge ceremony are "cleansed" or "spiritually healed."

Smudging

Smudging To do a Smudging ceremony, burn the clipping of these herbs (dried), rub your hands in the smoke and then gather the smoke and bring it into your body or rub it onto yourself especially onto any area you feel needs spiritual healing.To do a Smudging ceremony, burn the clipping of these herbs (dried), rub your hands in the smoke and then gather the smoke and bring it into your body or rub it onto yourself especially onto any area you feel needs spiritual healing.

Smudging Smudging is a simple way of thanking the earth and purifying a space. Variations of smudging are found in cultures throughout the world. Incenses of many varieties have been used for cleansing and protection.Smudging is a simple way of thanking the earth and purifying a space. Variations of smudging are found in cultures throughout the world. Incenses of many varieties have been used for cleansing and protection.

Smudging Keep praying all the while that the unseen powers of the plant will cleanse your spirit. Sometimes one person will smudge another, or a group of people, using hands or more often a feather to lightly brush the smoke over the other people.Keep praying all the while that the unseen powers of the plant will cleanse your spirit. Sometimes one person will smudge another, or a group of people, using hands or more often a feather to lightly brush the smoke over the other people.

Smudging The Elders say that all ceremonies, tribal or private must be entered into with a good heart, so that we can pray,sing and walk in a sacred manner and be helped by the spirit to enter the sacred realm.The Elders say that all ceremonies, tribal or private must be entered into with a good heart, so that we can pray,sing and walk in a sacred manner and be helped by the spirit to enter the sacred realm.

Power Animals In the Native tradition, man communicated with the Creator through interaction with nature; the birds, the forest, the animals.... Many chose or were given symbolic "power animals" whose strength or character reflected the human character traits of the individuals claiming the "power" of that specific animal.In the Native tradition, man communicated with the Creator through interaction with nature; the birds, the forest, the animals.... Many chose or were given symbolic "power animals" whose strength or character reflected the human character traits of the individuals claiming the "power" of that specific animal.

How does one get a Power Animal? A person is put to sleep, sometimes with help from a lavender bag.A person is put to sleep, sometimes with help from a lavender bag. Once they are asleep, someone will put their hand to the sleeping persons chest and play the drum lightly according to the beat of the heart.Once they are asleep, someone will put their hand to the sleeping persons chest and play the drum lightly according to the beat of the heart. In the dream, they will see different animals and the one that appears the most frequently becomes their power animal.In the dream, they will see different animals and the one that appears the most frequently becomes their power animal.

Power Animals The Power Animal helps the Native people make sense of their problems, and helps them get through challenging life experiences.The Power Animal helps the Native people make sense of their problems, and helps them get through challenging life experiences. The Power Animal tends to be one that a person would be closer to. Example: dog/cat loversThe Power Animal tends to be one that a person would be closer to. Example: dog/cat lovers

Popular Power Animals Some of the most popular Power Animals tend to be those from the K- 9 (dog), feline cat), or equine (horse) families or birds.Some of the most popular Power Animals tend to be those from the K- 9 (dog), feline cat), or equine (horse) families or birds. There are many more Power Animals these just tend to be the most popular ones.There are many more Power Animals these just tend to be the most popular ones.

Sources Sources used in this power point can be found at:Sources used in this power point can be found at: acred.htm acred.htm indianheadfirstnations.150m.com/ ceremonies.htm indianheadfirstnations.150m.com/ ceremonies.htm

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