Native question

[Spiritlite]

Oh how I love this thread

The same thing happened to us Time. My great grandmother was adopted by a french couple who raised her. She was not allowed to ever follow traditions, they changed her name and moved her to Minnesota. (She was from Quebec).

She remembered a lot of the old ways and as she grew up and got married, she taught those traditions to my mother. She eventually moved to the rez in Minnesota to reconnect to her people, that's where she passed. There is no record of her Native birth, only report found of her existence is when she was 9 years old in Minnesota. I have the high cheek bones, the flat feet, the down slanted eyes and cannot handle alcohol! :) Deny it as they will, we have the blood and the traits!

THe sad thing is, my family wasnt adopted, they choose to renounce it. THey actualy kick you off of their land if your white. Im white and im a direct line to them, and theyd still give me looks LOL. My mom, aunt and uncles all managed to get out of residential school, because they arent super dark.

I have the flat feet too, and the desire to walk barefoot LOL. And the high cheek bones..... I got the rope thick hair, and the hairline ( like a slight widows peak, all the quebecers I know have that, same with natives).

I will say though laura, the odds are you are iroquois. They were the most numberous tribe by far. Their land was from lake supirior, to new brunswick, down south to tennesee and kansas. Theirs tons of tribes in the Iroquois nation liek seneca, onieda, mohawk, but they were all concidered iroquois

From all my research I would guess that tabacco offering isn't part of the thanks prayer while hunting. Tabacco is an offering given to the great spirit in thanks and respect. Like burning sage or sweet grass.

Saying thank you to the brother/sister animal that gave its life so you may live is probably the ritual that is safest as it spans all tribes. Not leaving any part of the animal to go to waste is tied in as well. Its about respecting and celebrating the life, not the death or loss.

Within each nation there are hundreds of differing beliefs, tribes broke off and formed because of differing beliefs. Rather than trying to change eachother they would split off and remain allied. So, in logical deduction, it wouldn't matter if you 'know' your birth tribe, as what practices feel right to you would be respected.

I want to add that I am not native american nor do I personally know any. Its just a passion I have had since I was five years old. I read, research etc. I have two elder spirit guides that are native american, they often come to me in dreams...but I can't claim factual knowlege. So take what I say as a starting point. Its an amazing culture.

Originally Posted by Time

THe sad thing is, my family wasnt adopted, they choose to renounce it. THey actualy kick you off of their land if your white. Im white and im a direct line to them, and theyd still give me looks LOL. My mom, aunt and uncles all managed to get out of residential school, because they arent super dark.

I have the flat feet too, and the desire to walk barefoot LOL. And the high cheek bones..... I got the rope thick hair, and the hairline ( like a slight widows peak, all the quebecers I know have that, same with natives).

I will say though laura, the odds are you are iroquois. They were the most numberous tribe by far. Their land was from lake supirior, to new brunswick, down south to tennesee and kansas. Theirs tons of tribes in the Iroquois nation liek seneca, onieda, mohawk, but they were all concidered iroquois

Hmm my great gran would probably tell you that we're Ojibwe to this day (if she were alive lol) She told my mother a lot of the stories from the Rez and what she could remember as a girl. I know that her tribe traveled from Quebec to Minnesota in the winters and back to Quebec in the summers (how Minnesota is any warmer, I have no idea! lol)

Yes I love going barefoot! I also have terribly thick hair (hate it!) and that darned widows peak lol. My true hair color *cough* is dark auburn.. hate that too! Lol

It's sad to be cast out of your own culture because your family denied their blood. :( Back then it was "dirty" to be Native. :(

I guess everyone has seen these before, but hey it's a nice reminder.

Native American
Traditional Code of Ethics

Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strengthto be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone).

Respect. Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy". Showing respect is a basic law of life.

a. Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.

b. Special respect should be given to Elders, Parents, Teachers, and Community Leaders.

c. No person should be made to feel "put down" by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.

d. Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially Sacred Objects) without permission, or an understanding between you.

e. Respect the privacy of every person, never intrude on a person's quiet moment or personal space.

f. Never walk between people who are conversing.

g. Never interrupt people who are conversing.

h. Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of Elders, strangers or others to whom special respect is due.

i. Do not speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where Elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt).

j. Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not.

k. Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to
pollute our Mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her.

l. Show deep respect for the beliefs and religion of others.

m. Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.

n. Respect the wisdom of the people in council. Once you give an idea to a council meeting it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the people. Respect demands that you listen intently to the ideas of others in council and that you do not insist that your idea prevail. Indeed you should freely support the ideas of others if they are true and good, even if those ideas ideas are quite different from the ones you have contributed. The clash of ideas brings forth the Spark of Truth.

Once a council has decided something in unity, respect demands that no one speak secretly against what has been decided. If the council has made an error, that error will become apparent to everyone in its own time.

Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.

Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.

The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honor of one is the honor of all.

Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.


All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.

To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, and the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget your most important talks. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.

Observe moderation and balance in all things.

Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.

Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends.



________________________________________




Seven Philosophies For a
Native American Man

First Philosophy - TO THE WOMEN
The cycle of life for the woman is the baby, girl, woman, and grandmother.
These are the four directions of life.
She has been given by natural laws the ability to reproduce life. The most sacred of all things in life.
Therefore, all men should treat her with dignity and respect.
Never was it our way to harm her mentally or physically. Indian men were never abusers. We always treated our women with respect and understanding.
So, from now on,
I will treat women in a sacred manner.
The Creator gave women the responsibility for bringing new life into the world. Life is sacred, so I will look upon women in a sacred manner.
In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family.
I will work with her to create a home atmosphere of respect, security and harmony.
I will refrain from any form of emotional or physical abuse.
If I have these feelings, I will talk to the Creator for guidance.
I will treat all women as if they were my own female relatives.
This I vow.

Second Philosophy - TO THE CHILDREN
As an eagle prepares its young to leave the nest with all the skills and knowledge it needs to participate in life, in the same manner so I will guide my children.
I will use the culture to prepare them for life.
The most important thing I can give to my children is my time.
I will spend time with them in order to learn them and to listen to them.
I will teach my children to pray, as well as the importance of respect.
We are the caretakers of the children for the Creator. They are his children, not ours.
I am proud of our Native language. I will learn it if I can and help my children to learn it.
In today's world it is easy for the children to go astray, so I will work to provide positive alternatives for them.
I will teach them the culture.
I will encourage education. I will encourage sports. I will encourage them to talk with the Elders for guidance; but mostly, I will seek to be a role model myself.
I make this commitment to my children so they will have courage and find guidance through traditional ways.

Third Philosophy - TO THE FAMILY
The Creator gave to us the family, which is the place where all teachings are handed down from the grandparent, to the parent, and to the child. The children's behavior is a mirror of the parent's behavior. Knowing this, I realize the importance for each Indian man to be responsible to the family in order to fulfill the need to build a strong and balanced family. By doing this, I will break the cycle of hurt and ensure the positive mental health of our children, even the children yet to be born.
So, from now on,
I will dedicate my priorities to rebuilding my family.
I must never give up and leave my family only to the mother.
I am accountable to restore the strength of my family. To do this, I will nurture our family's spiritual, cultural and social health. I will demonstrate trust, respect, honor and discipline; but mostly I will be consistent in whatever I do with them.
I will see that the grandparents and community Elders play a significant role in the education of my children.
I realize that the male and female together are fundamental to our family life. I will listen to my mate's council for our family's benefit, as well as for the benefit of my Indian Nation.


Fourth Philosophy - TO THE COMMUNITY
The Indian community provides many things for the family. The most important is the sense of belonging; that is, to belong to "the people", and to have a place to go. Our Indian communities need to be restored to health so the future generation will be guaranteed a place to go for culture, language and Indian socializing. In he community, the honor of one is the honor of all and the pain of one is the pain of all. I will work to strengthen recovery in all parts of my community.
As an Indian man,
I will give back to my community by donating my time and talents when I am able.
I will cultivate friendships with other Indian men for mutual support and strength.
I will consider the effects of our decisions on behalf of the next seven generations; in this way, our children and grandchildren will inherit healthy communities.
I will care about those in my community so that the mind changes, alcohol and drugs, will vanish, and our communities will forever be free of violence.
If each of us can do all these things, then others, will follow; ours will be a proud community.

Fifth Philosophy - THE EARTH
Our Mother Earth is the source of all life, whether it be plants, the two-legged, four-legged, winged ones or human beings. The Mother Earth is the greatest teacher, if we listen, observe and respect her. When we live in harmony with the Mother Earth, she will recycle the things we consume and make them available to our children. As an Indian man, I must teach my children how to care for the Earth so it is there for the future generations.
So from now on,
I realize the Earth is our Mother. I will treat her with honor and respect.
I will honor the interconnectedness of all things and all forms of life.
I will realize the Earth does not belong to us, but that we belong to the Earth.
The natural law is the ultimate authority upon the lands and water. I will learn the knowledge and wisdom of the natural laws. I will pass this knowledge on to my children.
The Mother Earth is a living entity that maintains life. I will speak out in a good way whenever I see someone abusing the Earth. Just as I would protect my own mother, so I will protect the Earth. I will ensure that the land, water, and air will be intact for my children and for my children's children-the unborn.

Sixth Philosophy - TO THE CREATOR
As an Indian man, I realize we make no gains without the Great Spirit being in our lives. Neither I, nor anything I attempt to do, will work without our Creator. Being Indian and being spiritual has the same meaning. Spirituality is our gift from the Great One. This say, I vow to walk the Red Road.
As an Indian man,
I will return to the traditional and spiritual values which have guided my ancestors for the past generations.
I will look with new eyes on the powers of our ceremonies and religious ways, for they are important to the very survival of our people.
We have survived and are going to grow and flourish spiritually. We will fulfill our teachings and the purpose that the Creator has given us with dignity.
Each day, I will pray and ask guidance. I will commit to walk the Red Road, or whatever the spiritual way is called in my own culture.
If I am a Christian, I will be a good one. If I tradition, I will walk this road with dedication.
If each of us can do these things then others will follow. From this day forward, I will reserve time and energy for spirituality, seeking to know the Creator's will.

Seventh Philosophy - TO MYSELF

I will think about what kind of person I want to be when I am an Elder. I will start developing myself now to be this person.
I will walk with the Great Spirit and the grandfathers at my side. I will develop myself to remain positive. I will develop a good mind.
I will examine myself daily to see what I did good and what I need to improve. I will examine my strengths and weaknesses; then I will ask the Creator to guide me. I will develop a good mind.
Each day, I will listen for the Creator's voice in the wind. I will watch nature and ask to be shown a lesson which will occur on my path.
I will seek our the guiding principles which guided my ancestors. I will walk in dignity, honor and humility, conducting myself as a warrior.
I will seek the guidance of the Elders so that I may maintain the knowledge of culture, ceremonies and songs, and so that I may pass these on to future generations.
I choose to do all these things myself, because no one else can do them for me.
I know I CANNOT GIVE AWAY WHAT I DON'T HAVE, so I will need to learn to walk the talk.

Great share :) I love the code of the Natives :)

Observe moderation and balance in all things.

Aho! :)

Thanks for this, Symbiotic Self. I printed it out to study.

Wow! I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread. Thank you, Symbiotic Self for posting the code. I am going to study it as well.

Peace and Blessings!

Originally Posted by Alpha-Taurus

Hello all,

I'm new to the site and have just been browsing after I introduced myself. My question is rather broad if even a question at all. I have always been fascinated and admired Native Americans and their culture. I know for a fact I am part Native but have been so far unable to find out which tribe my ancestry stems from.

I suppose I am just wondering if there is anyone here in southern Ontario or from a local tribe who could maybe enlighten me and guide me to the culture and customs of their tribe. I've had an ever growing desire to at least be aware of the customs as I respect them very much.

I plan on going hunting soon for my first time and would like to first know how to formally give thanks to the animal and send it off in peace. I've always been very respectful and attune to animals and would feel very wrong taking an animals life without having the tools to respect it and give thanks to it properly. I hope this has made sense to someone and I apologize in advance if it comes off as mindless ramblings.

Thank you to all who read this.

My teaching was received through the Ojibwe and Lakota custom. The tobacco offering is held in the left hand when praying, giving thanks, or respectfully asking/honoring an individual. While holding the tobacco, a prayer is sent to the Creator along with thanking (and honoring) the animal's spirit for allowing itself to be taken so that it may provide sustenance for you....