Canadian Indigenous Spirituality Flashcards

Flashcards about Canadian Indigenous Spirituality

First Nations

Group of Canadian aboriginal people.

Inuit

Indigenous people of Canada’s arctic region.

Metis

Descendants of children of french and indigenous people.

Turtle Island

North America.

Eagle Feathers

Greatest gift to give or receive, symbolizes closeness to the Great Spirit.

Giveaway

Thanking people for coming over by giving them gifts.

Oral Storytelling

How stories, history, and teachings are passed down.

The Great Law

Story of peace told through the wampum belt of the Haudenosaunee.

Kaswent: Two Row Wampum Belt

Symbol of peace and equality between indigenous and european colonizers.

TRC: Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Made because of the assimilation of indigenous people and to give the indigenous a voice.

Saint Kateri/Tekakwitha Conference

Annual gathering of Indigenous Catholics.

TRC

Provides former residential school students with opportunity to share their experiences.

Great Spirit

Energy that inhabits all living things; also known as Wakan, Orenda, and Manitou.

Nanabuju

Last surviving human after Creator sent flood in Ojibway version of the Turtle Island story.

The Trickster

Symbolized by coyote; present in all of us and the reason we sometimes do bad things.

Shaman/Medicine Man

Uses powers to benefit the community; physical and spiritual healer.

Medicine Wheel

Represents continuous life cycles; important symbol used to teach children about relationship with the Great Spirit.

Time

Circular representation of cosmos.

Drums

Sacred objects used in ceremonies representing the heartbeat of mother earth.

Do not interfere

A principle that guides many indigenous, to not interfere with others.

Qalupalik Story

Sea monster who steals children who don’t listen to their parents.

Humility

Must learn to think of others before thinking of themselves

Animism

Belief that natural objects, phenomena, and universe have souls.

Smudging

Cleansing ceremony using smoke from sacred herbs to purify.

Sacred Pipe Ceremony

Powerful ritual symbolizing unity and harmony.

Puberty: Vision Quest

Preparation for a year for young men to go into wilderness alone to seek direction from the Great Spirit.

Harvest Feast

Celebrated harvest and recognizes spirits who acted to give people food.

Powwow

Dance of renewal, restoration, and healing of creation in a holy circle.

Sun Dance

Celebrated by people in prairies in June during full moon for renewal and dedication to great spirit.

Giveaways and Potlatch

Celebrates special events or death by giving of gifts from host to visitors.