Importance of Ceremony
Native American Medicine is based on widely held beliefs about healthy living, the repercussions of disease-producing behavior, and the spiritual principles that restore balance." These beliefs are shared by all tribes; however, the methods of diagnosis and treatment vary greatly from tribe to tribe and healer to healer. The traditions are passed down by word of mouth from elders, from the spirits in vision quests, and through initiation. They carry the potential to reweave and bring home parts of us that are disconnected or lost, remembering a calling of our destiny.
Shamanic practices such as calling in the directions, smudging, going on a journey to retrieve a power animal or a soul part, and a fire ceremony to name a few, are examples of how the shaman can encourage the individual or the cause back to its natural state of wholeness.
Celebrating the major transitions in life is as old as humanity: archeologists have found evidence of funeral rites for Cro-Magnons and Neanderthals dating back 60,000 years. It seems that all human cultures have marked key moments in their lives with ceremony and speeches, music and feasting. Celebration of life is central to a meaningful humanist philosophy. Shamanism is practiced in Indigenous cultures all over the world. The practice thrives today in Mexico, Mongolia, Greenland, Russia, Korea, Peru and Native American/First Nations in North America.
The healing traditions of Native Americans have been practiced in North America since at least 12,000 years ago and possibly as early as 40,000 years ago. Although the term Native American Medicine implies that there is a standard system of healing, there are approximately 500 nations of indigenous people in North America, each representing a diverse wealth of healing knowledge, rituals, and ceremonies. We hope believe that sharing their healing ways and values may help all people to come into a healthier balance with nature and all forms of life.
HOW DOES TRADITIONAL HEALING INTERACT WITH WESTERN MEDICINE?
Healers have different views about combining their methods with western medicine. Some do not see any value in medical science or treatments. Others believe that the systems deal with different aspects of an individual so there is no problem using both. Herbs are nature’s forces that must be treated with respect. When herbs are brought together in a formula, they enter into a relationship, creating something new, more than the sum of separate ingredients.
Most western physicians do not understand the value or importance of traditional healing to their Native American patients. A few, especially in areas with large Native American populations, are more open to traditional healing. Herbal formulas have been developed throughout the generations in effort to share the elements of Native American, other indigenous remedies, as well as freshly created herbal teas and tonics. By using herbs in our daily life, we assist the plant kingdom to carry out its purpose on this planet.
If you combine western medicine and traditional healing, let your physician know about any treatments you are using. There might be interactions. For example, a traditional healer might use an herbal preparation to help you sleep. In that case, your physician would probably not want you to take sleeping pills. Your healer might want you to use herbs to cleanse your system. These might interact with western medications that you are taking. Your physician might help you avoid negative interactions.
In addition to Kautantowit's Mecautea offering ALL regular communal celebration ceremonies, we honor ALL things memorable and therefore offer most all ceremonial offerings. It is important that all individuals seeking ceremony understand, respect and appreciate the fact that Healing does not follow written guidelines. Healers work differently with each person they help. They use their herbs, ceremony and power in the best way for each individual. Healers may be used for certain conditions.
Healing might involve individual or group sweat lodges, talking circles, drumming, ceremonial smoking of tobacco, potlatch ceremonies, herbalism, animal spirits, or “vision quests,” to name a few practices. Each tribe uses its own techniques. They are only steps towards becoming whole, balanced and connected.
Our spiritual leaders for the most part are generally willing to accommodate Your wishes and needs,
KM spiritual leaders have performed a variety of traditional ceremonies ranging from initiation and pipe ceremonies, performed weddings, funerals and Remembrance ceremonies, have done cleansing and purification ceremonies, performed "exorcisms", healing ceremonies, blessings and of coarse protection rites
We have also performed benediction's before banquets, an invocation at the beginning of a legislative session, or a toast at a retirement party, a few wedding anniversaries, and are honored to do them again if requested to do so by our members.
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