Culture and Tribal Customs

Culture and Tribal Customs

August 4, 2004

When the buffalo first came to be upon the land, they were not friendly to the people. When the hunters tried to coax them over the cliffs for the good of the villages, they were reluctant to offer themselves up.

They did not relish being turned into blankets and dried flesh for winter rations. They did not want their hooves and horn to become tools and utinsels nor did they welcome their sinew being used for sewing. “No, no,” they said. We won’t fall into your traps. And we will not fall for your tricks.”

Native American Dances
June 29, 2004

TULALIP – Two fires burned on the dirt floor of the Tulalip longhouse, giving off smoke and bits of ash that wafted upward through openings in the top of the building. Hundreds of people filled the wooden platforms built into each side of the structure. Tulalip tribal members sat next to public officials from Marysville and Everett. Visitors from nearby tribes such as the Makah and Suquamish, and even a member of the Hopi and Laguna Pueblos, bumped elbows with guests from Seattle. Three wide-eyed sailors in dress whites watched from a front-row bench.

Food & Dyes & Medicine
May 22, 2004

According to historical documents found in, “Minnesota Geographic Names”, a book written by Warren Upham, and published by the Minnesota Historical Society… in the late 1700s, white men gave the Rum River its current name by way of a “punning translation” that “perverted the ancient Sioux name Wakan”. In Minnesota, “the land of ten thousand […]

Sacred Places
May 22, 2004

INDIGENOUS RED NATIONS AND PEOPLES: Fiction and Fact

Much the same as foreign, european-based, white “immigrants” – currently called “Americans” – dislike the word “honky”, and African “blacks” disagree with the word “negro”, Indigenous Red “Indian” Nations and Peoples must be afforded the same respect – not to be associated with the following misconceptions. Discard everything you have been “taught” so far in your life, as the following information are probably facts you have never been allowed or fortunate to have heard about. So hang on and open your mind – which can also bring you true happiness! Read on for the real facts.

Culture and Tribal Customs
February 26, 2004

KEYWORDS: Nisga’a First Nations nisgaa indians Nisga’a tribe Nisga’a ceremonial dress Canada First Nations modern treaty indians ceremonial headdress ceremonial masks British Columbia Indians

This gallery contains pictures of Canada’s First Nation Nisga’a people in ceremonial dress.

Native American Clothing
October 12, 2003

Lately we have heard the phrase “Indian summer” used frequently to describe our stretch of good weather. Most of us are taking advantage of the warm weather rather than contemplating the etymology of the term “Indian summer.”

However, a study of the phrase is an eye-opening look into our nation’s history. After years of asking elders and prominent Indian historians, I stumbled across an article written by a leading American Indian author from an Eastern tribe who explained the origins of “Indian summer.”

Food & Dyes & Medicine
March 10, 2003

KEYWORDS: Pow Wow protocol honoring dance grand entry meaning of pow wow dances Kenai-based Midnight Sun drum group David Salmon Tribal Hall Alaska pow wow drum groups history of powwow dances University of Alaska Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts honoring the veterans celebrating life AUTHOR: Dan Rice, Staff Writer for the News Miner The jingle […]

Native American Dances
February 17, 2003

Chalk up another misdirected name to America’s supposed discoverer.

Christopher Columbus, in his unproductive search for riches across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, mistook America for India. He named the natives Indians, and he also took the liberty of placing an improper label on what was to become one of the Southwest’s most popular vegetables.

Food & Dyes & Medicine
January 27, 2003

(BLACKFEET RESERVATION, BROWNING, MONTANA)- “Tsa nii ksistikowatts sa-ahsi?” teacher Shirley Crowshoe asks her class of elementary students sitting in a circle on a thick rug in a bright, modern classroom. “What kind of day is it outside?”

Jessie DesRosier, 13, is quick to raise his hand: “Sugapii ksisko, ahstosopo,” he says. “Nice day, cold wind.”

Culture and Tribal Customs

Indian Corn

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November 14, 2002

KEYWORDS: Kid’s Pages Indian foods Indian Corn northeast woodlands indian foods hominy uses for corn lesson plans legend of the no face doll

Some of the corn was dried to preserve and keep it for food throughout the winter months. Dried corn could be made into a food called hominy.

To make hominy, the dried corn was soaked in a mixture of water and ashed for two days. When the kernels had puffed up and split open, they were drained and rinsed in cold water.

Food & Dyes & Medicine
November 13, 2002

KEYWORDS: Thanksgiving Prayer thanksgiving prayer Iroquois seneca Indian prayer for Thanksgiving Lord of the Sky in the beginning of all things be thankful sister corn clinging sisters beans sister squash three sacred sisters sacred fire Iroquois language Seneca language Gwa Gayant’ gogwus Ona’o the sacred food Nyo’sowane, our sister squash Oa’geta, our sister beans FWDP […]

Native American Prayers
August 1, 2002

KEYWORDS: Tribal Plant Ritual Hopi Indians religious ceremonies First Mesa Native Americans wild tobacco relieving stress corn pollen communicating with holy people sacred herbs medicine plants Navajo medicine men culture four sacred peaks ceremonial plants Apache religious leaders Navajo Medicineman’s Association Inc pray for rain sage snakeweed jimson weed Fort Apache Reservation SOURCE: Associated Press […]

Food & Dyes & Medicine
June 25, 2002

AUTHOR: Suzan Shown Harjo, Columnist, Indian Country Today
Native American sacred places are where Native Peoples who practice their
traditional religions go to pray for the good day, the precious earth, the
blessing waters, the sweet air and peaceful life for all living beings the
world over.

Sacred Places
April 15, 2002

Before the invasion of silk, sequins and designer labels, the highest fashion west of the Mississippi was the elk-teeth dress.

There was no mistaking the status of a Crow woman wearing her tribe’s signature gown of blue or indigo trade wool covered by 500 elk canine teeth. They wore their wealth on their sleeves. Because only two teeth from an elk are suitable, each dress represented years of hunting and hard work.

Native American Clothing
February 19, 2002

The Lakota constellations are visible in the winter sky, and they reflect Lakota mythology. A notable aspect of that mythology is that every event and object on earth has a correspondent in the sky.To ancient Lakotas, the Big Dipper signified the Seven Council Fires.

Star Knowledge
February 17, 2002

Keywords: native american traditions drum protocol indian tradition women drum groups should women drum tribal drum traditions

When Germaine Tremmel and Sharon Mountain organized “Gathering of the Heartbeat” in Minneapolis seven years ago, they created an annual retreat where American Indian women could celebrate tradition and challenge taboos by singing around a ceremonial drum.

Native American Dances
February 9, 2002

Keywords: eagle feather Eagle feathers EAGLE FEATHERS significance of the eagle feather eagle feather taboos eagle feather ceremony cerimonial uses eagle ceremonies eagle feather story eagle feather restrictions Source: Oral History as told by Ken Saunders All Native North American Peoples attach special significance to the eagle, and its feathers. The eagle flies higher and […]

Native American Religion
February 9, 2002

Keywords: Ungava Inuit ungava inuit UNGAVA INUIT Hudson Strait Hudson Bay Ungava Bay Sanikiluaq Inukjuak Povungnituk Ivujivik Salluit Kangiqsujuaq Ovaqtaq Kangirsuk Kuujjuaq Kuujjuaraapik Kangiqsualujjuaq Cree Indians Henry Hudson Digges Island Belcher Islands amauti eider skin parkas Ungava Inuit occupy the Quebec-Labrador Peninsula north of the treeline and live along the coastline of Hudson Strait, Ungava […]

Native American Clothing
February 8, 2002

Keywords: Copper Inuit clothing copper inuit footware COPPER INUIT regional overview copper inuit historical clothing copper inuit comtemporary clothing clothes kamiks Kamiks western-most Canadian Inuit Coppermine Cambridge Bay Holman Northwest Territories Coronation Gulf Bathurst Inlet Contwoyto Lake Victoria Island territory of Copper Inuit Copper Inuit, the western-most Canadian Inuit, reside mainly in the centralized communities […]

Native American Clothing
January 28, 2002

Source: Submitted by Reader This savory buffalo fillet recipe serves a gathering of sixty.   Ingredients: 30 Yellow peppers, seeded and minced 7.5 Red onion minced 15 Yellow tomato, seeded and minced 7.5 tsp Coriander, minced 7.5 tsp Orange juice 7.5 tsp Honey Salt and pepper to taste RED PEPPER SAUCE 15 Red pepper, seeded […]

Food & Dyes & Medicine
January 14, 2002

Source: Navajo Legend

The construction of the conical hooghan is based upon the description of the hooghan of First Man related in the Origin Myth as told in Blessing Way [Hózhójí]. In this home, the poles were made of jewels, white shell [yoogaii], abalone [diichii], turquoise [doot’izhii] and jet [bááshzhinii].

Native American Homes
January 10, 2002

AUTHOR: Joe S Sando, Jemez Pueblo Six months of every year, the kachinas resided in the mountains to the west, where they could be seen as cloud banks gathering above the peaks. Then shortly after the winter solstice, they would return to the pueblo. Summoned in secret kiva ceremonies, the kachinas arrived through the sipapu […]

Kachina Gods

The kachinas

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January 10, 2002

AUTHOR: Michael Lomatuway’ma, Hopi

Among all Pueblo people, religion plays a vital role in daily life. At the heart of religious life, particularly among western groups like the Hopi and Zuni, were the infinitely helpful kachinas-also sometimes called katsinas.

Kachina Gods
January 5, 2002

James Mooney, an ethnologist with the Bureau of American Ethnology, was sent to investigate the Ghost Dance movement in 1891. He obtained a copy of Wovoka’s message from a Cheyenne named Black Short Nose, who had been part of a joint Cheyenne-Arapaho delegation that visited Wovoka in Nevada in August 1891. This became known as the Messiah Letter.

Native American Dances
September 29, 2001

Grandfather, Tunkasina, you are giving us life again. For many days we were lonesome for you. Earth was cold and the winds were strong. But now we hear songs. Your children are singing, and we are happy. They are singing, and we are lighthearted.

Native American Prayers
September 22, 2001

fancy shawl dancer, american indian danceThis article gives a general overview of how the Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance competition is judged, and things to look for in a good fancy shawl dancer

The fancy shawl dance is a very aerobic, fast paced dance. Thus, this is usually considered a dance for the younger ladies and girls. However, dancers of any age may dance the fancy shawl dance, from babies to elders.

One thing to watch for in a good fancy shawl dancer are the movements of the shawl, which should be extended like the wings of a butterfly, or mimic emergence from the cocoon.

Native American Dances
September 22, 2001

This article gives a general overview of the proper attire for a Fancy Shawl Dancer. Rather than the double-bustle the early Crow girls wore to dance the Fancy Dance, today’s Fancy Shawl dancer wears a dress made of a shiny fabric such as taffeta or satin. 

Native American Dances