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  A ceremony that is an integral part of the Northwest Coast Indian societies. A potlatch is undertaken to signify marriage; pass on a chieftainship, position or name; raise a carved pole; memorialize a relative, or mark any other change in status that requires witnesses. This important institution serves to redistribute wealth and enables families to recount their histories and reaffirm their hereditary rights. The Pow-wow is a First Nations celebration that includes dancing, song and family gathering. Traditionally pow-wows are three day events to symbolize welcoming and honoring others.
 A religious ceremony practiced among Aboriginal peoples of the Interior Plains, marked by several days of group dancing and other festivities. The ceremony celebrates the circle of life in which there is no end but death and rebirth. It is a regeneration of man, spirit and the living earth.   The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth and helps draw communities together. It facilitates healing of the mental, spiritual, emotional and physical aspect of human existence. It is thought that the sound of the drum helps release natural chemicals in the body which boost the immune system. Singing and dancing accompanies the beat of the drum and prayers are said to it. The drum reminds humans of their duty to the health and preservation of Mother Earth. It also helps bring the physical and mental side of a person back in touch with his or her spiritual side. (Thunderbird, 2003)  First Nations smoke the sarcred pipe to connect with the Great Spirit. The pipe is used in ceromonies and when the smoke rises from the pipe, with it rise the prayers of the people in the ceremony. In beginning the ceremony the holder of the pipe requests the presence of the Spirit. As the pipe holder inhales the smoke, prayers are made to the Spirit. The pipe holder then exhales the smoke in four directions calling for help from the Spirit.
References Fleischer, J. (N.D.). BC First Nations Health Handbook. British Columbia: Unpublished Manuscript. Kwantlen Pow-wow Committee. (2006). Kwantlen First Nation Eighth Annual Pow-wow. Handout. Lawrence, E.A. (1993). Journal of Human-Animal Studies: The Symbolic Role of Animals in the Plains Indian Sun Dance. Retrieved April 10, 2006, from http://www.psyeta.org/sa/abstract_1-1.shtml Thunderbird, S. (2003). Turtle Island’s Native Culture. Retrieved February 11, 2006, from http://www.shannonthunderbird.com/First%20Nations%20Teaching%20Menu.htm?n=image.php3&image_id=3865 Welcome to the Cultural Section. (n.d.). Smoking the Pipe. Retrieved April 5, 2006, from http://collections.ic.gc.ca/clan/cultural/pipe.htm |
