SLT: Aboriginal Spirituality (Swag Religion).Docx

ABORIGINAL SPIRITUALITY

Theme Key Terms / Definitions Summary (max 250 words) Religious Significance Place of Origin / Indigenous people (generally referred to Aboriginals): Aboriginal Spirituality originated in This religious is of Timeframe People who were born in a different region of the world Asia and now resides in mostly Asia importance because it Kathy and migrated to a foreign area. and many parts of North/South demonstrates visually and America due to migration. There is no orally the initial creation of original founder of Aboriginal men, women, and practically Spirituality because the indigenous the whole world in their people believed this religion is faith. beyond ancient record. Also, the indigenous people theorized that, “- they came out of the ground.” Founder or Key Figure Eagle: is believed to be the most cherished of the animals The founder or key figure is known as This is religiously significant, (JUSTIN LAM) for it symbolizes the contradictions or duality of life - man ‘the creator”, the one who guides for it gives the believers and woman - light and dark - earth and air. (ie. eagle human beings. something to look up to, a feathers - light and dark) The eagle is also believed to be role model. It is also able to fly close to the creator, since it can watch over all important because people of the land. this faith also know that (Key Figure) there is a higher force Peacemaker: A huron born baby (virgin mother) who watching over them. migrated to another nation (Iroquois) to find sanctuary away from the abuse from his previous nation. He defeated an evil wizard, Tadodaho and cleansed him of evil. From then on the peacemaker gathered the five nations and planted the tree of peace in the Onondaga nation. On top of the tree he put an eagle which would warn nations of danger. (Key Figure)

Key Beliefs Animism: The belief that all living creatures possess a The aboriginal spirituality believes This is really important (JOLIAN HUNG) spiritual essence. that all living creatures have soul and because these beliefs are the their soul would live on even if their key elements that defines Polytheistic: Believing in more than one god. bodies passed away. They also aboriginal spirituality as Totem: A being or symbol that represent the person’s believe that there one god that itself. Their Animism belief mythical ancestor. (Such as plants or animals) created the universe, but at the same taught them to respect all time our world is controlled by many living creatures, polytheistic other spirits. The Totem also one of belief helped to build the their beliefs which represents a foundation of the religion person’s mythical ancestor and it is since it is related to spirits. used as a method to prevent And their totem also marriages between relatives since established their marriage individual with the same totem could system which is based on not marry. their beliefs. Therefore, these believe established the foundation of the religion, so they are really important. Key Practices /Rituals or The Morning Dance (Wabeno) : A dance performed by the Rituals, Key Practices, or Ceremonies The aboriginal peoples Ceremonies (JUSTIN LAM) Ojibwa of southern Ontario to pay homage to the, “tree of are all ways that the people who rituals and ceremonies are the universe.” The participants cleanse themselves, dance believe in the aboriginal spirit to religiously significant as they around a chosen tree and give thanks to it. This ceremony glorify their faith, creator, and each provide their people a sense is ended with a feast of meat and fish. other. of unity, their clan, give thanks, and a way to glorify The Sun Dance: Performed by the great plains nations for 8 their “creator.” -16 days in the early summer. Some attach hooks to their chests, their scars are sacrafice to prevent war, famine or disease on others.

Potlatch Ceremony: a Ceremony practised by the Northwest pacific Coast nations. Participants feast, distribute their wealth onto others. The more they distribute the higher the clan grows in prestige/status.

The sweat lodge ceremony: Common to the Great plains nations people. During this ceremony the participants make a sweat lodge where they excrete all their sweat due to the intense body heat under one roof. This is believed to cleanse them physically and spiritually.

The shaking tent ceremony: THis ceremony executed during the night where an individual talks to spirits in between a structure of four to eight poles toped by a circle like object. Religious Text N/A Oral stories. Where people come from It shows how early religion (SMOK) and why things in environment are was created, before there way they are. Each group has own was writing, they drew creation story. Sometimes use aids eg. pictures and told stories of necklace of beads or totem pole creation. they relied on the story telling to continue their traditions, because there were no books. Symbols / Images Dream Catcher : hang over bed to filter bad dreams out most symbols/images are significant This shows the human need (SMOK) Tree of Peace: tree connecting Earth to Heaven because they are believed to have a for people to find a reason for Eagle/Feathers: symbol of strength; gives power to tie between Earth/the people and their existence. Even represent others. Heaven/God. Aboriginals, the people who Totem Poles: link Aboriginal people to their mythical inhabited the land from the ancestors. protective entities. beginning of time, needed to find a reason of existence.

Sacred Faith Days Supreme Court: the highest federal court Aboriginal Spirituality consists of 3 These sacred faith days allow Kathy Metis: A person in western Canada who is of Caucasian and main sacred faith days. Powley Day, the believers of this religion Aboriginal ancestry Louis Riel Day, and National to connect physically and Aboriginal Day. spiritually with one another, Powley Day, is the anniversary of and to the belief itself. when the Supreme Court decided to recognize Metis’ human rights. Louis Riel Day is a yearly holiday that takes place in Manitoba by many Aboriginals and some Canadians. It’s a day similar to Martin Luther King Day, to honour the life of a politician that represented the Metis people’s interest. National Aboriginal Day is a day that all Canadians are invited to participate in, in order to showcase the events and history of Aboriginal heritage. Overall Impact / Influence N/A Their idea of animism has helped the N/A on World / Religions spread of environmental protection. (JOLIAN HUNG) Other than that, it did not made too much difference to the world since it is not an open religion because it is tribe based and cultural dependant. If you are not part of the tribes, you won’t have access that the religion.