Thanksgiving for many is a time for giving thanks for the many blessings we receive. My daughters brought home some homework from school recently about Thanksgiving. I have read much on the accounts from the Native American culture perspective. Now understand that the perception from one culture to another, changes and over time the stories seem to get murky as each add more to the original.

I would like to add some information that I have run across about my ancestors perspective on what really occurred on that first thanksgiving. My ancestors welcomed the majority of the immigrants to these shores. Though they were careful as for many years before there had been many of these ships passing through that had raided villages and taken my ancestors as slaves. Much of this is documented but not talked about in great detail. This happened up and down the coast to as far south as Florida . That is well established from all accounts. There was little conflict initially to these new immigrants from the original inhabitants. Conflicts did not arise until after they were settled and decided that my ancestors were savage and the need to conquer and take more than was needed. We all know about and read that the pilgrims invited the Natives to enjoy their bountiful harvest after their much needed help in establishing the colony. This is the story we all grew up with and continue to hear about. Understand that the first settlers were fearful of the Natives as they were small in numbers and the established tribes throughout the Americas were powerful to protect themselves from other tribes.

There were a large number of original inhabitants among various tribes throughout the Americas when the Europeans came to this land. That number was reduced significantly over the years through war and disease brought here by outsiders. From the Wampanoag oral history about that first Thanksgiving, it was not so much an invitation for a feast but an invitation to discuss a treaty and a deal to secure land for the pilgrims. It should also be noted that the Wampanoag brought the majority of food for this feast. The friendship and celebration was guarded at best as the trust that was felt was not taken as sincere. So when reading about the first thanksgiving, remember that much that is propagated in regards to this first feast. It is not always what it seems and was not the pretty picture you may see painted.

We all have things to be thankful for and should take this time to thank those that came before us. It is a time in which we should remember. Through it all my ancestors prevailed and being of both sides, ( Shawnee , Cherokee, German, English, French, Swiss, Swedish, Scot and Irish) I know that not all came here to just take and not return. Obviously, through what ever reason with the guidance of the Creator, my ancestors married and lived in two worlds and survived. May we all be thankful and respect each other. Knowing the truth of the past will let us build a better future.

Understanding

There are many things that are very hard to explain and for others to understand. It is not uncommon, many times we learn about another culture or belief and understand from the point of having that knowledge. But we as humans have a difficult time truly knowing the feeling that someone who lives or believes in it knows.

When I write about my Native culture, providing knowledge or information, it is hard for many who do not believe or cannot put it in terms that they know to understand the beliefs. Many ceremonies that are performed today have a rich and long history. No different than other cultures rituals or ceremonies. Because our beliefs are not a religion but one of spirituality it is hard for many to comprehend. The structure of the dominant culture wherever it is, tends to put the norm or standard in place and that is what is expected. To continue to understand and gain knowledge helps us to know that there are differences and even commonalities between all beliefs and cultures.

What always amazes me is that many beliefs and cultures are the same in many ways. As I have said often in the past is that people don’t change, just the faces. We all have developed as humans the same set of abilities to comprehend but that comprehension changes due to our culture or beliefs passed down. My belief that all things are living and have a spirit is sometimes hard to understand when you think of a non-living breathing entity. Mountains for example, most just look at it as a rock but it has a purpose and touches us in different ways. Its ability to protect and shield others and us gives it life. It collects rain and snow and then forms the path in which it flows to the lower ground. This ability gives us and other beings water. It even provides the ability for things to live and grow on it. It gives life in many ways.

I hope this makes sense and perhaps gives some a little more to think about. The Creator is a mystery but has allowed us the ability to form, grow, and learn.

Fact or Fiction

An interesting comment was made on my blog “Spirit” that got me thinking. Thank you Grandpa Dewey for you comment. By definition folklore is a traditional belief, legend, custom, etc. of a people. The lore of a people, it is also a body of widely held but false or unsubstantiated beliefs. That leaves the door open for many things. Folklore could include many things that we hold as truths today but have been unsubstantiated and believe. That does not make them not true but only that they cannot be proven. If something is written it does not prove it as fact.

I believe as many others that there are many things that may never be proven. My ancestors left mainly an oral history and it was passed down for many years. As with our written history and oral histories they can be changed with each writing or time they are told with the interpretation of the writer or teller.

There have been many things that were believed to be folklore or stories that later were witnessed by others that could not be explained. That is the power of the things we are unable to comprehend and the great mystery of our Creator. We seem to be able to accept things from the dominant society (who ever they may be) with little question but these beliefs from other cultures are at times waved off as folklore or legend. This has happened throughout history.

I believe that there is truth in many things that are what many call folklore, legends or myths. They are based on some point of fact or helped in explaining what happened, it gave a reason for something that cannot be explained. It helps us to cope.

My beliefs are many and I have studied much to gain knowledge. No one is wrong or completely right in a belief. It is just that, a belief and what is true to you is what matters. As I believe that the spirit exists in all things and even the smallest rock. Each thing in this world has a purpose even if we cannot understand it.

Be safe and have a wonderful weekend. I wish many blessings to everyone.

“Paselo my friends.”

The Cherokee believed that every aspect and thing had a spirit presiding over it, but did not hold a belief in multiple gods. All things that made a shadow was believed to have a spirit. All figures that the Europeans identified, as 'gods' were simply greater beings in the Cherokee belief whose names were so great there were no English words for them, and thus they were recognized as 'gods' by non-natives. However, the Cherokee paid direct respect to and worshipped only the Creator.

Sint Holo: A horned serpant

Tsul 'Kalu: Spirit of the Hunt

Oonawieh Unggi ("the oldest wind"): Spirit of the Wind

Kana'ti ("The Lucky Hunter"): The Great Hunter

Selu ("maize"): The Corn Woman

Nunne'hi: The Spirit People

Certain numbers within the Native American culture are important. The numbers 4 and 7 seem to be the most prevalent and appear many times in the oral history in myths, stories and ceremonies. The number four in many tribes represents the four directions and the forces that are present in our everyday life. Many times these are associated with colors and meaning also. These vary with tribal customs and culture. The number Seven is a very sacred and important number within the Native American Culture. You can see it reference across many tribes.

In the Sioux tradition, there were seven ceremonies taught to the elders by the Buffalo Calf Woman and presented them with the sacred pipe. This pipe was to be used in seven rites or ceremonies that were taught to them in dreams. The Sioux were also divided into four branches that were the Teaton or Lakota, the Santee, the Yankton, and the Yanktonai or Nakota. These branches also included bands that made up the overall group. Within the Cherokee, there were 7 clans, the Long Hair, Blue, Bird, Paint, Wild Potato, Wolf and Deer.

The number Four within the Cherokee represents the four directions (representing the four cardinal points)but also include Three others. These include up for the upper world or sky, down for the lower world including Mother Earth and Center, which represents the middle or you. Center is where you always are, your being. The number seven within the Cherokee also was the highest level of purity and sacredness and the hardest to attain.

These are but two examples; other Native cultures have other numbers and symbols that are of great importance that were passed down through the oral history.

Have a wonderful day and many blessings. Be safe.

"Paselo"

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