October is Native American Heritage Month and the perfect opportunity to explore the vibrant world of Native American culture and traditions. Native American culture is an intricate tapestry woven from the threads of history, spirituality, and connection to the land. Threatened by systematic erasure, it’s a culture that not only deserves respect and appreciation but preservation; it deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. So, let’s discover what we can do to celebrate and sustain Native American heritage.
Key Aspects of Native American Culture & Traditions
To understand the customs of Native American culture, it’s essential to explore the core values and practices that shape community life.
A Deep Connection to the Land
Even before colonization, the land that became the United States was a country with hundreds of different Native American cultures, languages, and traditions coexisting within its borders. There’s no one-size-fits-all definition of “Native American,” nothing that fits into one, homogeneous picture. Instead, we have a beautiful mosaic of communities, each with its unique story to tell.
Each tribe has their own traditions and way of life, that is as unique and beautiful as the diverse landscapes they are from. These tribes hail from different regions and environments, and this diversity is reflected in their traditions and way of life. Each culture is intrinsically tied to the land. It shapes their identities, spirituality, and cultural practices. From traditional foods to art and materials used in regalia, the land leaves its mark on every aspect of their lives.
For instance, the Three Sisters farming method, practiced by many tribes including the Iroquois, Lakota, and Cherokee, involves the cultivation of corn, beans, and squash. These three crops are interplanted in a way that maximizes their mutual benefits, a technique that relies on a deep understanding of the local soil and climate conditions.
The Haida and Tlingit tribes, based in Alaska and British Columbia, have a deep connection to their coastal environment. They are renowned for their intricate and massive totem poles, which are carved from the towering red cedar trees found in their region. These totem poles serve as cultural and artistic symbols that represent their ancestral stories and traditions, and they showcase the abundance of the forests that surround them.
The Hopi people, located in the Southwest, have perfected their agricultural practices to the harsh desert climate. They have developed techniques like dry farming and terraced agriculture to cultivate crops in the arid landscape. The construction of their villages, including the famous Hopi mesas, reflects their need to optimize water usage and make the most of the limited resources available in their environment.
For Native Americans the land is not merely the place they live; it’s a source of sustenance, spirituality, and cultural inspiration.
The Importance of Oral Tradition
For many Native American cultures, heritage is a living library passed down not through written texts, but through a rich and deeply ingrained oral tradition. History, spiritual values, and cultural knowledge are carefully transmitted from a generation of elders to the youth through storytelling. This ensures that the unique story and identity of each tribe continues to be heard. This tradition often extends beyond spoken words into art, where ceremonial and functional items alike are adorned with symbols that represent ancestral stories and preserve a tribe’s history for generations to come.
Diverse Arts and Crafts
Native American art is a vibrant expression of cultural identity, with traditions that vary beautifully from region to region. In the Southwest, Pueblo peoples have perfected the art of pottery for centuries, using local clays to create vessels with designs holding deep spiritual meaning. In the Pacific Northwest, artists are masters of formline design, a complex art style used in everything from paintings to intricate woven textiles like Chilkat blankets, which display clan history. Across the Great Plains, detailed beadwork originally done with porcupine quills adorns everything from ceremonial clothing to cradleboards. These art forms are more than just beautiful objects; they are a tangible link to ancestral knowledge and a vital way of passing down identity.
Complex Social Structures and Kinship
The foundation of many Native American societies is kinship, an intricate web of relationships that extends far beyond the immediate family to the entire clan and tribe. This structure defines an individual’s roles and responsibilities within the group, creating a strong sense of responsibility and community. This deep emphasis on the collective fosters a paramount value for community harmony, leading many traditional forms of governance to favor consensus-based decisions that ensure the well-being of all members.
Respect for Elders
Across Native American cultures, elders are revered as the living libraries of their communities, tasked with protecting a vast collection of knowledge, from ancient stories to the precise dialects of their native languages. By serving as teachers and guides, they act as the essential bridge between the past and the future, ensuring that cultural identity and values are carried forward by the next generation.
Sacred Ceremonies and Rituals
Ceremonies and rituals are vital for reinforcing community bonds and spiritual beliefs in Native American life. Perhaps the most visible today are Powwows, vibrant inter-tribal gatherings where communities celebrate their culture through drumming, singing, and traditional dancing. Another widespread practice is the Sweat Lodge ceremony, a powerful ritual of spiritual and physical purification used by many nations, often in preparation for other sacred events. In the Pacific Northwest, communities hold Potlatch ceremonies, large events centered around celebration or to honor those who have passed on. While each is unique, these diverse practices all serve as cornerstones for cultural expression and spiritual life.
The Rich Traditions of Lakota Culture
Co-founder and National Spokesperson of Running Strong for American Indian Youth, Billy Mills founded Running Strong on a Lakota Tradition of giving back to his community. The Lakota people reside primarily in the Northern Plains of the United States, where the first programs of Running Strong began. Let’s take a closer look at the beautiful traditions of the Lakota people.
Food
For the Lakota, the flavors of wild game are central to their diet. The bison, often referred to as buffalo, is a vital source of sustenance, providing them with meat for food, hides for clothing and shelter, and bones for tools.
Furthermore, foraged plants played a significant role in the Lakota diet. They gathered a variety of wild plants and berries, such as chokecherries and wild turnips, from their surrounding land. These foraged ingredients are not only nutritious but also add diverse flavors to their meals.
Art
You can also witness the Lakota’s relationship to the land through their craftsmanship. They often used porcupine quills in intricate beadwork. They were dyed and meticulously woven into patterns on clothing, moccasins, and accessories, showcasing their artistry and connection to wildlife.
Furthermore, they often use various materials and gemstones with unique cultural significance for jewelry making. These jewelry pieces, whether necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, are not merely adornments but carry spiritual and historical significance, passed down through generations as a way to connect with their heritage and the natural world.
Regalia
The regalia of the Lakota tribes is another vibrant reflection of their connection to the land. Feathers, often sourced from local birds like eagles and hawks, are a prominent feature in Lakota regalia. These feathers are not only symbols of strength and spirituality but also demonstrate a deep respect for the winged creatures that inhabit their environment.
Fabrics used in Lakota regalia often incorporate patterns and designs inspired by the environment. Traditional Lakota star quilts, for example, feature intricate geometric patterns reminiscent of the night sky or the landscape’s natural formations.
Ceremony
One of the most sacred ceremonies among the Lakota is the Sun Dance. This days-long ceremony takes place in the summer involving dancing and spiritual practices, and serves as a profound tribute to their connection to the Earth and the universe.
During the Sun Dance, participants traditionally fast, dance, and engage in purifying and piercing rituals, symbolizing sacrifice and renewal. It’s an awe-inspiring display of faith and devotion. Today, this ritual remains a vital part of Lakota cultural and spiritual identity and is held on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.
Why Preserving Native American Heritage is Critical
Native American culture is a treasure trove of traditions, languages, and spirituality. It’s a part of America’s rich heritage that often remains hidden in the shadows of mainstream society, unknown or misunderstood. But why is it so important to preserve and celebrate Native American culture?
One significant reason is that Native American culture represents the profound richness of our nation’s history. With over 500 recognized tribes in the United States alone, the diversity of American Indian traditions is a testament to the richness of human experience.
Another prominent reason is that historically indigenous history, traditions, and culture are diminished and devalued. Native communities have suffered injustice and repression for centuries. Celebrating and honoring Native American heritage, then, is vital to uplifting their culture, raising awareness, and restoring justice to their communities.Today, these communities still face a multitude of challenges with deep historical roots. Poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and issues related to land rights are all pressing concerns. Raising awareness and supporting Native American communities is essential to addressing these contemporary economic and social issues.
How You Can Help Preserve Native American Heritage
When it comes to making a difference, it’s important to do so ethically. It’s not just about throwing money at the problem. It’s about understanding the specific needs of the community and supporting them in a way that respects their autonomy and cultural integrity.
To ensure your philanthropy benefits Native American people effectively, here are some tips:
Research: Dive deep into the organizations and initiatives you want to support. Ensure they have a track record of transparency, accountability, and a history of working closely with indigenous communities.
Empowerment: Seek initiatives that empower indigenous communities rather than perpetuate forced dependency. It’s about supporting tribal sovereignty and preserving cultural traditions.
Support Running Strong Programs that Sustain Native American Culture and Traditions
Running Strong Programs Sustain Native American Culture and Traditions
Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is one organization making an everyday, sustainable impact on Native American communities. We are tackling issues like poverty, education, and cultural preservation head-on. Supporting programs like Running Strong can greatly benefit Native American communities and ensure their culture and traditions are preserved. Here are a few examples:
Water Is Life
When Running Strong for American Indian Youth® was formed in 1986, getting clean, safe drinking water to the residents of Pine Ridge was one of our top priorities. Previously, Running Strong satisfied this need by drilling water wells, but since the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System was created, we are now focusing on connecting Native American homes to the water supply line through our program Mni Wiconi (Water Is Life). Learn more about this program here.
Culture and Language Preservation
Running Strong also supports initiatives to preserve knowledge and traditions passed down from a declining generation of elders and teach them to the next generation of Native American youth. By partnering with groups that have culturally-based programs such as schools, cultural societies, traditional youth camps, and museums, we are helping to save and share tribal cultures. Learn more about this program here.
Organic Gardens
Many Native American communities on reservations live without consistent access to high-quality grocery stores and fresh fruits and vegetables. Running Strong’s organic gardens and food programs tackle malnutrition and food insecurity by providing healthy meals and fresh produce to Native American children and their families.
We also help establish community gardens, household gardens, and communal greenhouse programs, ensuring that cultural aspects are included and teaching communities about how to improve food choices and how to plant traditional gardens. Learn more about this program here.
Acknowledge Native Land
Here’s a simple but powerful gesture – acknowledging that you are on Native land. Land acknowledgment is about recognizing that the land you live on today was originally inhabited by indigenous people, and it’s a way of honoring Native American history and presence. You can participate in this by:
Educating Yourself
Start by learning about the indigenous peoples who historically inhabited and continue to inhabit the land you are on. Research their history, culture, and contributions to the region.
Taking Action
Reflect on what further action can be taken to support indigenous communities. This could involve supporting indigenous-led initiatives, supporting organizations like Running Strong, or advocating for indigenous rights and issues.
Buy Authentic Native-Made Goods
Support Native American artisans and entrepreneurs by purchasing products that are legitimately made or sourced from indigenous communities. This isn’t just about economic support; it’s about honoring, respecting, and preserving cultural traditions, ensuring their stories are told.
Avoid Cultural Appropriation
Lastly, with the holidays just around the corner, it’s important to talk about cultural appropriation. Especially during events like Halloween, it’s all too common. Please avoid Native American costumes and accessories that reduce their culture to a stereotype, and instead, celebrate their culture respectfully and educate others about its significance.
A Shared Responsibility
In conclusion, preserving Native American heritage is not just a noble endeavor; it’s our responsibility as stewards of this diverse and culturally rich nation.
You can engage with Native American culture in meaningful ways by supporting organizations like Running Strong. We encourage you to learn more about all our programs and stay connected with our ongoing work via social media:
- Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningStrongforAmericanIndianYouth/
- Visit us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RunStrong4AIY
- Visit us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runstrong4aiy/
Together, we can ensure that the vibrant tapestry of Native American heritage is protected and their communities continue to thrive for many generations to come.