At the heart of Native American religious philosophy is the belief that everything carries with it an unique spirit.
Despite the diversity of Native American religious practices, there are common characteristics in the mythologies that form there basic structures. The foundation of these religions was usually a “creation” mythology involving figures of cultural import who were both human and mystical. Over time, these stories evolved into a system of beliefs—a religion. There are many creation stories that have been used by native religious figures to explain the origins of mankind, natural phenomenon, and even the differences in the races. Often referred to as creation mythology, these stories do not speak of singular gods or deities but rather a variety of spirits and cultural figures who have gained mythic, and even mystic, status. While Native American religious philosophy is by and large monotheistic, in that it does recognize a singular creative spirit, there are no “gods” or “devils.” There are “great spirits” and “tricksters,” great heroes of the past, councils of animals, and figures who transcend both linear time and physical manifestation.
The most basic concept of all native religious philosophy is the living earth—the belief that the planet itself has an indomitable spirit. The very rocks, trees, mountains, rivers, all of the planet’s geographic features, are component elements of a greater entity. This thought is at the heart of the native belief, long held and frequently expressed, that one cannot own the land. A people could occupy and gain sustenance from it, but they cannot possess the land. From the living earth came the foundations of native religious philosophy. The geographic features that Paleo-Indian tribes encountered during their migration into North America played heavily in the formation of their early mythos. One such example of the veneration of geographic features is Chief Mountain, along the border between Montana and Alberta, Canada. The Blackfeet tribe, who dominated the region throughout much of their history, saw the imposing structure jutting out of the landscape and soon regarded it as a sacred site. Caves and mountains feature prominently in dozens of early native religious beliefs; many are still viewed in the modern era as spiritual places.
Animals also make up a highly important part of Native American spiritual beliefs. Representing both the positive and the negative aspects of life, these animal spirits have different meanings with each particular culture. The bear features prominently in early native religious practice. The hunting tradition of early native tribes venerated the animal for its ferocity and considered the killing of a bear to be a great step in an individual’s spiritual evolution. This tradition blends hunting with religious enlightenment. The Cree tribe of upper New York and Canada believed that once the bear is killed, the spirit escapes and subsequently transforms into another bear. If the ritual has been performed correctly, in that the noble spirit of the animal has been respected, it will allow the tribe to hunt it again. The hunter who has killed the bear keeps the skull in his lodging in order that the spirit may bless him with good fortune. The Sioux tribe believed that the bear possesses curative powers, and the invocation of its spirit can help mend body and soul.
These two concepts, the inherent earth spirit and the power of the bear, represent only a small fraction of the pantheon of Native American religious philosophy. By only briefly touching on these two constructs, it is clear that there is indeed a much larger world to be explored.
Sources:
David M Jones and Brian L Molyneaux, Mythology of the American Nations. (London: Hermes House, 2006).
Gilbert Legay, Atlas of Indians. (Hauppage: Barron’s Educational Services, Inc., 1995)
Carl Waldman, Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. (New York: Checkmark Books, 2006)
Carl Waldman, Atlas of the North American Indian. New York: 2000).
