“We have the opportunity to build a Rainbow bridge into the Golden Age. But to do this, we must do it together with all the colors of the Rainbow, with all the peoples, all the beings of the world. We who are alive on Earth today are the Rainbow Warriors who face the challenge of building this bridge,"
~Brooke Medicine Eagle, Daughter of the Rainbow, Crow and Lakota ~
(510) 761-4448; Email: kmtribe@aol.com
Ceremony and rituals have long played a vital and essential role in Native American culture. Often referred to as “religion,” most Native Americans did not consider their spirituality, ceremonies, and rituals as “religion,” in the way that Christians do. Rather, their beliefs and practices form a integral and seamless part of their very being. Like other aboriginal peoples around the world, their beliefs were heavily influenced by their methods of acquiring food, – from hunting to agriculture. They also embraced ceremonies and rituals that provided power to conquer the difficulties of life, as wells as events and milestones, such as puberty, marriage, and death. Over the years, practices and ceremonies changed with tribes' needs.
“The Anishnaabeg belief is that the souls of their departed ancestors are attached to their bones. As such, Anishnaabeg treat the bones of their ancestors with great reverence, and abhor the disturbance of graves. This has been their way since time immemorial, and will be their way ever-more.” – Estate of Dudley George and George Family Group. “It is important to understand how First Nation peoples view burial grounds.
To us, our ancestors are alive and they come and sit with us when we drum and sing. We did not bury them in coffins, so they became inseparable from the soil. They are literally and spiritually, part of the earth that is so a part of us. That is one reason why we have such a strong feeling for the land of our traditional territories – our ancestors are everywhere. It is a sacrilege to disturb even the soil of a burial ground. It is an outrage to disturb, in any way, actual remains.” – The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
​
We know and honor that there is an ongoing relationship between the Dead and the Living; between Ancestors and Descendants. It is the obligation of the Living to ensure that their relatives are buried in the proper manner and in the proper place and to protect them from disturbance or desecration. Failure to perform this duty harms not only the Dead but also the Living. The Dead need to be sheltered and fed, to be visited and feasted. These traditions continue to exhibit powerful continuity.” – Darlene Johnson
Ceremonies Offered
Some of the great many ceremonies and rituals that ONAC KM feel are considered among the "common-place" within Any Spiritual unification we humbly honor are listed here for your convenience. If you do Not see what your seeking here, please scroll down and check the entire page. If you still do Not see it, please contact us with what ceremony or ritual you Are seeking and we will do our absolute Best to aid in accomidating you.
Clensing/Purification Ceremony
Cleansing and Purification are a key essential tool for spiritual flourishment. as the individual living being we were created by Great Creator to be. These ceremonial rituals are therefore obviously offered for all individual beings, but also too, for those no longer living as well, regardless of their species .
​
Cleansing and Purification's are also additionally offered and performed upon specific materialistic things as well, such as the family vehicles (Car,Truck, Motorcycle, SUV, ATV, RV, Boat, Etc.) and also too, done on specific lands such as homes, places of employment and so forth.
Confirmation Ceremony
Confirmation is an important and confidence-building foundation for our spiritual being.
Blessing Ceremony
Blessing ceremony is a commonly sought after protective tool for spiritual flourishment.
Mother Medicine Ceremony
Our Mother Medicine Ceremony is a commonly sought after for spiritual flourishment by our members.
Holy Anointing - Holy Annointing is a sacred ceremonial rite in most all religious belief systems in all times. Holy Annointing is done as sought and too, is common place in conjunction with other rites and ceremonies. Holy annointing involves the use of extracted fragrances of seeds, roots, barks, flowers and leaves in oil that is in turn used in ritual healing to assist in the empowering and healing process on and in the persons life.
Laying on of Hands (Chirothesia) Ceremony – The practice of Chirothesia includes developing therapies and non-standard approaches that are outside the scope of secular licensed medicine. Throughout history Medicine People have been aware of the effects of touch and contact with the essences of plants, oils and herbs on the body, mind and emotions. They utilize ceremonial touch Chirothesia is a ritual act of passing divine or healing energy, awareness, consciousness, breath and pressure to another as a religious or spiritual act or observance. The laying on of hands is a ritual that accompanies certain religious practices, which are found throughout the world, in almost every spiritual or religious practice in varying forms.
​
“Chirothesia” approaches or practices, when practiced by sacred, ordained or religiously authorized persons, include but are not limited to:
Nutrition and sacred diets including food restrictions and fasting, Homeopathy, Hands-on-Healing, Magnetics and Bio-Magnetics, Sound therapy, Polarity, Somatics, Energy Therapies, Reflexology, Biofeedback, Meditation, Breath Work, Reiki, Chi Gung, Tai Chi, Herbology, Iridology, Tapping, Aromatherapy, Balneotherapy, Light therapy, Massotherapy, Lomi Lomi, Vibration and Crystal Healing, Mantra, Chakra Balancing, Prana Yama, Smudging etc.
ONAC KM offers a great variety of rituals and ceremony encompassing Rite of Passage.
Baby Naming Ceremony
Baby Naming Ceremony is a long standing tradition among the ancestors of our people.
The Birth (Blessing Way) Ceremony – This ceremony honors the passing into a new existence of all earthly beings. A blessing way is an old Navajo (native American) ceremony, which celebrates a woman’s rite of passage into motherhood. Unlike a traditional baby shower, where gifts are purchased for the baby, a Mother Blessing is all about nurturing the mother-to-be and celebrating motherhood, celebration that honors the mother-to-be to help prepare her for motherhood.
A modern Mother Blessing typically involves the trusted female relatives and friends of an expecting mother. Their goal is to surround the mother with love to help prepare her for childbirth and motherhood. They may share their birth stories, provide words of encouragement speak blessings over the mother and baby. Often, the guests will come together to make something for the mother or the baby like a beaded bracelet or a necklace. Each guest brings a bead and the beads are strung together to create a gift for the mother. Sometimes guests massage the mother’s hands or feet or even brush her hair or adorn her with flowers.
The Sacred Breath Ceremony – It is your birth right to be the walking breathing living light on this earth. Connecting to you through a golden cord that connects you to everything you have been everything you are and everything you will become. Two important purposes for this ceremony are 1) to have the Great Spirit infiltrate every cell of one’s body and 2) to assist the participant in experiencing unconditional love. Our Ascension is the moment when we can remove the veils of illusion truly heal on a level which will in turn activate our Crystalline DNA and our Physical Soul will raise its vibration to meet and blend to the frequency of our Spirit and we become once again the Ascended Beings we were Created to be. We become One once again.
Baby Welcoming Ceremony
Baby Welcoming Ceremony is a long standing tradition among the ancestors of our people.
Baptism Ceremony
A Baptism Ceremony is a traditional ceremony sought among the ancestors of our people.
Christining Ceremony
The Christening of a new baby is a Good Medicine option offered and encouraged for all of our newly blessed members with a child.
Vision Quest Ceremony
Numerous Native American tribes practiced the rite of Vision Quests, which was often taken by older children before puberty to “find themselves” and their life's direction. How the rite was taken, its length and intensity, and at what age varied greatly from tribe to tribe. In most cases the vision quest was a “supernatural” experience in which the individual seeks to interact with a guardian spirit, usually an animal, to obtain advice or protection.
Much preparation was often taken before the vision quest was undertaken in order to determine the sincerity and commitment of the person. Sometimes the quest required the individual to go alone into the wilderness for several days, in order to become attuned to the spirit world.
Other tribes required the individual to take a long walk, or were confined to a small room. Often the individual was required to fast prior to the quest, and was not allowed to sleep. During this period of sensory deprivation, the individual was to search for a a guardian spirit’s presence or a sign that would be given to them. Once the presence or sign was “seen,” and the individual had realized his/her direction in life, they would return to the tribe to pursue their life's journey.
​
A Vision Quest is an attempt to achieve a vision of a future guardian spirit often through the process of fasting, isolation and meditation. A vision quest is a rite of passage traditionally undertaken at puberty by young boys of the Great Plains Indian tribes. A Vision Quest or Spiritual Journey was sometimes accompanied by the inducement of a Trance State for the purpose of attaining guidance or knowledge from supernatural forces or spirits. A Vision Quest is strongly associated with the Native American Indian belief in Animism that is based on the spiritual idea that the universe, and all natural objects within the universe, have souls or spirits. A Vision Quest can also be described as an 'Out of Body Experience that is the experience of moving out of the body yet retaining consciousness. Native Americans believe that a shaman is able to send their souls to distant places to obtain information or to bring back the lost soul of a sick person and this belief is used in Spiritual Healing.
​
A Vision Quest is also undertaken by those wishing to seek and identify a Power Animal to help them as a spiritual guide to walk through different stages of life for the purpose of teaching and guiding them, and in some instances protecting them.
The Green Corn Ceremony – With regard to the Seminole’s Green Corn Dance, Danny Billie says: “It defines who we are and what we are as traditional Indian people. It is the heart and soul of the traditional Seminole way of life.” The Green Corn Ceremony is held several weeks before the main harvest when the corn is nearly ripe. This ceremony was considered their annual rite of renewal and purification and was dedicated to the god who controlled the growth of corn or maize. Also called the Green Corn Ceremonies, this both a celebration and religious ceremony, primarily practiced by the peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and the Southeastern tribes including the Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Yuchi, Iroquois, and others. The ceremony typically coincides in the late summer and is tied to the ripening of the corn crops. Marked with dancing, feasting, fasting and religious observations, the ceremony usually lasts for three days. Activities varied from tribe to tribe, but the common thread is that the corn was not to be eaten until the Great Spirit has been given his proper thanks. During the event, tribal members give thanks for the corn, rain, sun, and a good harvest. Some tribes even believe that they were made from corn by the Great Spirits. The Green Corn Festival is also a religious renewal, with various religious ceremonies. During this time, some tribes hold council meetings where many of the previous year's minor problems or crimes are forgiven. Others also signify the event as the time of year when youth come of age and babies are given their names. Several tribes incorporate ball games and tournaments in the event. Cleansing and purifying activities often occur, including cleaning out homes, burning waste, and drinking emetics to purify the body. At the end of each day of the festival, feasts are held to celebrate the good harvest. Green Corn festivals are still practiced today by many different native peoples of the Southeastern Woodland Culture.
Midwinter Ceremony – Midwinter Ceremony is in either January or February depending on the moon cycle. When the new moon appears the spiritual year begins and five days after, the ceremony starts. The celebration lasts 9 days with a lot of traditional events, as well as choosing new council members for the next year.
Each tribe celebrates a little differently. The usual custom is to first begin with a "Stirring of the Ashes" ceremony to symbolize thanks for all the blessings bestowed during the previous year. There is also a public naming event where all the children who were born that year are given their Indian names.
Smudge Ceremony -
​
Pipe Ceremony -
​
Fasting Ceremony -
​
Full Moon Ceremony -
​
Solstice Celebrations -
and other ceremony marking the seasons or harvest time
Maple Ceremony – Second week in February and lasts one day.
​
Thunder Dance – First week in April to welcome back the thunderers.
​
Sun and Moon Dance – Beginning of May to give thanks to the sun and second week of May to give thanks to the moon in the morning and evening respectively.
​
Seed Ceremony – Middle of May and lasts 1 day
Planting Ceremony – End of May
Strawberry Ceremony – Middle of May and lasts 1 day
String Bean Ceremony– First week in August and lasts 1 day
Corn Ceremony – Middle of August
Harvest Ceremony – Middle of October and lasts four days.
Thunder Ceremony - November
End of Seasons Ceremony – December
Comittment Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony
The Marriage Blanket Ceremony – honors the public with an open commitment of two or more people to serve the human family unit for life and all eternity. This ceremony honors committed persons that desire to make a public announcement of their decision to honor and respect each other, to love and cherish one another, and to unite together for the common purpose of being and functioning as a "Tribe"... a family unit, and a team. The blessing of the Blanket Ceremony is that all of the words spoken during the Ceremony are woven for life and eternity into the blanket that is held behind the committed persons, and for couples, moreso.
Vowel Renewal Ceremony
Crossing Over (Death)
Historically speaking, Native Americans have Always celebrated death, knowing that it was an end to life on Earth, but also too, believing it to be the start of life in the Spirit World. This is why we as ONAC KM refer to the process as "Crossing Over", signifying the dearly departed's journey as they transition realms.
Most tribes also have long believed that the journey from ours to the next realm might be a fairly long one, so after life rituals were performed well beyond their passing to ensure that the spirits would not continued to roam the earth.
Various tribes honored the dead in several ways, by giving them food, herbs, and gifts to ensure a safe journey to the after life. Prayer feathers are often tied around their forehead
The Passing on of Spirit Ceremony – honors the passing of any earthly beings into the next realm of Existence. Native Americans celebrated death, knowing that it was an end to life on Earth, but, believing it to be the start of life in the Spirit World. Most tribes also believed, that the journey might be long, so after life rituals were performed to ensure that the spirits would not continued to roam the earth. Various tribes honored the dead in several ways, by giving them food, herbs, and gifts to ensure a safe journey to the after life. The Hopi Indians believe that the soul moves along a Sky path westwards and that those who have lived a righteous life will travel with ease. However, those who haven't will encounter suffering on their journey. To ensure a safe journey, they wash their dead with natural yucca suds and dress them in traditional clothes.
Memorial Ceremony
The Stick Dance is named after the spruce pole, which is the central symbol in this ceremony. The purpose of this ceremony is to help mourn the male members of the tribe who have died; and, give comfort and support to the grieving family members. ONAC KM golds Stick Dance every March 2nd.
Rememberence Ceremony
Stick Dance Ceremony
The Stick Dance is named after the spruce pole, which is the central symbol in this ceremony. The purpose of this ceremony is to help mourn the male members of the tribe who have died; and, give comfort and support to the grieving family members. ONAC KM golds Stick Dance every March 2nd.
All Souls Day Ceremony
Many tribes who had been converted to Catholicism, also celebrated All Souls' Day, each November 1st, which celebrates the dead. Many believe, that on that day, the spirits return to visit family and friends. In preparation various tribes would prepare food and decorate their homes with ears of corn as blessings for the dead.
​Spiritual Healing is a form of Native American medicine that uses help and guidance from the spirit world in traditional rituals effected by a medium, or Shaman, to produce natural healing energy to treat the whole person - mind, body and spirit. It can also be referred to as Shamanic Healing. The knowledge of spiritual healing is what the Native Americans mean when referring to “medicine” or “mystery.”
​
Symbolic healing rituals and ceremonies were often held to bring participants into harmony with themselves, their tribe, and their environment. Ceremonies were used to help groups of people return to harmony; but, large ceremonies were generally not used for individual healing. Varying widely from tribe to tribe, some tribes, such as the Sioux and Navajo used a medicine wheel, a sacred hoop, and would sing and dance in ceremonies that might last for days.
​
The healing process in Native American Medicine is much different than how most of us see it today. Native American healing includes beliefs and practices that combine religion, spirituality, herbal medicine, and rituals, that are used for both medical and emotional conditions. From the Native American perspective, medicine is more about healing the person than curing a disease. Traditional healers worked to make the individual “whole,” believing that most illnesses stem from spiritual problems.
Historic Indian traditions also used many plants and herbs as remedies or in spiritual celebrations, creating a connection with spirits and the after life. Some of these plants and herbs used in spiritual rituals included Sage, Bear Berry, Red Cedar, Sweet Grass, Tobacco, and many others.
​
In addition to herbal remedies, purifying and cleansing the body is also important and many tribes used sweat lodges for this purpose. In these darkened and heated enclosures, a sick individual might be given an herbal remedy, smoke or rub themselves with sacred plants, and a healer might use healing practices to drive away angry spirits and invoke the healing powers of others.
Sometimes healing rituals might involve whole communities, where participants would sing, dance, paint their bodies, sometimes use mind-altering substances to persuade the spirits to heal the sick person.
Hanblecheyapi Ceremony – enables human beings to re-remember and understand the mission that they had previously committed to achieving before their spirit assumed its earthly body and introduce them to or discover their spirit guides or inspirations. Numerous Native American tribes practiced the rite of Vision Quests, which was often taken by older children before puberty to “find themselves” and their life's direction. How the rite was taken, its length and intensity, and at what age varied greatly from tribe to tribe. In most cases the vision quest was a “supernatural” experience in which the individual seeks to interact with a guardian spirit, usually an animal, to obtain advice or protection. Much preparation was often taken before the vision quest was
undertaken in order to determine the sincerity and commitment of the person. Sometimes the quest required the individual to go alone into the wilderness for several days, in order to become attuned to the spirit world. Other tribes required the individual to take a long walk, or were confined to a small room. Often the individual was required to fast prior to the quest, and was not
allowed to sleep. During this period of sensory deprivation, the individual was to search for a a guardian spirit’s presence or a sign that would be given to them. Once the presence or sign was “seen,” and the individual had realized his/her direction in life, they would return to the tribe to pursue their life's journey.
The Sacred Prayer Pipe (Casuse and/ or Chanunpa) Ceremony – Three important purposes for this ceremony are; 1) Remind the participants to honor and respect the power of prayer, 2) assist in unity and respect of male and female differences, and 3) activate the law of synergy to assist all participants in achieving their heartfelt desires. The pipe ceremony is a sacred ritual for connecting physical and spiritual worlds. "The pipe is a link between the earth and the sky," our prayers in physical form.
​
The Sacrament (Peyote) Ceremony – Three important purposes for this ceremony are 1) to rediscover ones innate goodness, 2) assist in the forgiveness process for oneself and others, and 3) to reside in truth (Good Health-Spiritually, Emotionally and Physically).
Some southwest tribes have historically practiced Peyote ceremonies which were connected with eating or drinking of tea made of peyote buttons, the dried fruit of a small cactus, officially called Anhalonium or Laphophora. Native to the lower Rio Grande River and Mexico, the name "mescal" was wrongly applied to this fruit by many white observers. Theceremonies were held for specific reasons including healing, baptism, funerals, and other special occasions. Though many have the impression that peyote was smoked, this was not the case, as the peyote button will not burn. Instead, the buttons, either fresh or dried, were eaten or ground into a powder and drank in a tea.
​
The ceremonies were guided by healers, also known as road men, as they were thought to guide a person's journey through life. Most often small drums and rattles were also utilized. The experience is almost identical to taking lysergic acid dyethylamide, better known as LSD.
Called the "sacred medicine," peyote ceremonies are still practiced today by various tribes who believe that it counters the craving for alcohol, heals and teaches righteousness, and is useful in combating spiritual, physical, and other social ills. Concerned about the drug's psychoactive effects, between the 1880's and 1930's, U.S. authorities attempted to ban Native American religious rituals involving peyote, including the Ghost Dance. Today, the Native American Church is one among several religious organizations to use peyote as part of its religious practice.
​
primarily practiced by the peoples of the Eastern Woodlands and the Southeastern tribes including the Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Yuchi, Iroquois, and others. The ceremony typically coincides in the late summer and is tied to the ripening of the corn crops.
Marked with dancing, feasting, fasting and religious observations, the ceremony usually lasts for three days. Activities varied from tribe to tribe, but the common thread is that the corn was not to be eaten until the Great Spirit has been given his proper thanks.
During the event, tribal members give thanks for the corn, rain, sun, and a good harvest. Some tribes even believe that they were made from corn by the Great Spirits. The Green Corn Festival is also a religious renewal, with various religious ceremonies. During this time, some tribes hold council meetings where many of the previous year's minor problems or crimes are forgiven. Others also signify the event as the time of year when youth come of age and babies are given their names.
Several tribes incorporate ball games and tournaments in the event. Cleansing and purifying activities often occur, including cleaning out homes, burning waste, and drinking emetics to purify the body. At the end of each day of the festival, feasts are held to celebrate the good harvest. Green Corn festivals are still practiced today by many different native peoples of the Southeastern Woodland Culture.
The Potlatch Ceremony – Distribution of Wealth, meaning that it is when the tokens and tithing are to be gifted to the church by the members. . This is held every September 1st as it is our "Belly-Button" day as ONAC KM!
​
The Ghost Dance (Spirit Dance) Ceremony – A celebration of the Millennium and living in gratitude.
​
The Sun Dance Ceremony – The Sun Dance is a sacred ceremony which may be undertaken by any one of mankind
The proper purposes for undertaking the Sun Dance are:--
1. To fulfill a vow.
2. To secure supernatural aid for another.
3. To secure supernatural aid for self.
4. To secure supernatural :powers for self.
Sacrifice oneself for the people and to lead a life of service.
​
The Buffalo Ceremony – Two important purposes for this ceremony are 1) remind the participants to honor and respect the creative process and 2) assist the participants to honor and respect all of one’s relatives, especially one’s biological mother and father.