Tag: Cherokee

Native Prophecies Posted on

Native American Prophecies

“North American Indian Prophecies”– excerpts from a talk given by Lee Brown (Cherokee) at the 1986 Continental Indigenous Council, Fairbanks, Alaska “There was the cycle of the mineral, the rock. There was the cycle of he plant. And now we are in the cycle of the animal coming to the end of that and beginning the cycle of the human being. When we get into the cycle of the human being, the highest and greatest powers that we have will be released to us. They will be released from that light or soul that we carry to the mind. But right now we’re coming to the end f the animal cycle and we have investigated ourselves and learned what it is to be like an animal on this earth. At the beginning of this cycle of time, long ago, the Great Spirit came down and He made an appearance […] Read More

Tribes Posted on

Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Nation – largest of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast – is a people of Iroquoian lineage. The Cherokee, who called themselves ‘Ani’-Yun’ wiya’ – ‘Principal People’ – the ‘Keetoowah’ – ‘People of Kituhwa’ – or Tsalagi from their own name for the Cherokee Nation – migrated to the Southeast from the Great Lakes Region. Cherokee Timeline 1450 – First Cherokee enter the state in the vicinity of Traveler’s Rest. Tugaloo Old Town is the first major Cherokee village. 1540-1 De Soto “visits” the Cherokee and is supposedly one of the first whites seen by the tribe, although written descriptions of the tribe by the Spanish note the wide range of colors in the tribe, from “negro” (black) to light skinned and “fair,” according to Moyano and Pardo. 1650 – Cherokee commanded more than 40,000 square miles in the southern Appalachians by 1650 with a population […] Read More

Native Ways Posted on

WHAT IS A NATIVE?

It is not blood that makes an Native American… It is the soul…. Too many… with fire of Native blood… walk ignored. Do not say I am Apache or Kickapoo.. Do not say I am Sioux or Cherokee. Say…. I am of the Mother Tribe… This is the pain of our children… To return from the stars without a home or community… A tribe lost returns… scattered in the wind. Those who hear must unite and reap the seed of this return. ONE tribe…ONE Earth…ONE Heart…ONE People. Those with ears must build a fire and give thanks this night. Be united with ONE soul. Oh, my Children come home… Teachers step forward without fear… You are real. (Author Unknown) Related articles Police Say Tasering 8-Year-Old Native American Girl Was Justified Police Killing of Unarmed Native American Continues To Receive Little Media Attention 1990: Brulé Food What We Are Not […] Read More

Native Ways Posted on

The Traditional Cherokee Belief System

In a search for order and sustaining that order, the olden Cherokee devised a simple, yet seemingly complex belief system. Many of the elements of the original system remain today. Although some have evolved or otherwise been modified, the traditional Cherokee of today recognize the belief system as an integral part of day-to-day life. Certain numbers play an important role in the ceremonies of the Cherokee. The numbers four and seven repeatedly occur in myths, stories and ceremonies. Four represents all the familiar forces, also represented in the four cardinal directions. These cardinal directions are east, west, north and south. Certain colors are also associated with these directions. The number seven represents the seven clans of the Cherokee, and are also associated with directions. In addition to the four cardinal directions, three others exist. Up (the Upper World), down (the Lower World) and center (where we live, and where […] Read More

Native Ways Posted on

The Drum: Drumming from the Heart

The drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. The animal who provided the hide did so with intention and purpose. In the drum the spirit of the animal nation lives. The honor and respect you show the drum also honors the four-legged, the winged ones, the crawlers and the bugs. The birch tree who contributed the wood for the frame did so with intention and purpose. In the drum the spirit of the plant nation lives. The honor and respect you show the drum honors the trees, bushes, flowers, and grasses. The stone in the heart of the drum asked to be a part of the drum so that you would remember the stone nation. The honor and respect you show the drum is honor and respect for the rocks, the soil, the waters and the air. When you drum, prayers from the Web of Life are sent to […] Read More

Native Ways Posted on

MEDICINE OF PLANTS

Once, in the beginning…  animals and people lived together in harmony and talked with each other. However, when mankind began to increase at a rapid pace,  the animals were pushed and crowded into forests and deserts. Man began to kill four-footed’s for their skins and furs,  not just for food that was much needed. The animals… angry at such treatment by those whom they had befriended…  decided they must punish such a greedy mankind. The Bear tribe met in council. This was led by Chief Old White Bear. After many Bears had spoken against humankind and their bloody ways,  war was agreed upon. But what kind of weapons would the Bears use? Chief Old White Bear suggested that the human’s weapon,  the bow and arrow, should be used against him. The council all agreed. While the Bears worked and made bows and arrows,  they wondered what to use for bowstrings. […] Read More

Latest News Posted on

The Secret to Breaking Out of Our Most Destructive Habits

All of us occasionally become the angry, unpleasant, depressed, reactive people we don’t want to be. So what happens in the brain that scatters all our good intentions? Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favorite stories, as it’s been for millions of others since it was written in 1843. Who doesn’t start sniffling when reading this classic tearjerker about Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold, bitter old man dragged—by the ghosts of his past, present, and potential future—on a terrifying midnight journey of self-discovery, from which he emerges transformed and redeemed? Most people love movies about driven, selfish people who, struck by the life-altering experience of sudden love or near loss, eventually see the light and blossom into life-affirming mensches. Miraculous conversion stories appeal to the wishful thinker in all of us. We want to believe that hitting bottom—being forced into genuine awareness of one’s bad behavior and experiencing […] Read More

Healing Posted on

Herbalogy and the Native American Indians

by Terri Jean September 8, 2000 Arnica (Catawba) – the roots are used for treating aches and pains (especially in the back and in joints). Healed injuries such as broken bones, sprains, and bruises. You do NOT want to ingest this herb. It is to be applied to the skin. Aspen (Cree) – the bark was boiled into a tea and used as a couch medicine. Boneset – this tea was used by many tribes and for various healing practices. The Iroquois – for colds and to reduce fever. The Menominees also used it to reduce fever and the Alabama Indians gave it to people to cure stomach ailments. Catnip (Mohegans) – the leaves were boiled into a tea and given to infants to relieve an infant with colic. Dandelion – This plant has been used to cure many ailments for thousands of years – and is still used […] Read More

Healing Posted on

A Basic American Indian Medicine Chest

 ARNICA OIL – for bruises,muscle pain,& sore feet   CALENDULA CREAM – for inflammations,sunburn,&skin disorders   CEDAR LOTION – for general skin treatment & facial care   CORN SILK – for kidney & bladder pains & infections   ECHINACEA CAPSULES – & tincture for colds & infections   ECHINACEA -GOLDENSEAL SALVE – for chapped skin & lips   PUFFBALLS –  for headache treatments,styptics &wounded dressings   SAGE LEAVES – for smudging, purification ,and antiseptic use   SLIPPERY ELM BARK POWDER – for coughs & digestive problems   SWEETGRASS BRAID – for smudging ,purification,& antiseptic use   WITCH HAZEL LOTION – for rashes & skin problems   YARROW POWDER – for pain relief,anesthetic,& antiseptic use   YUCCA ROOT – for soapy cleansing & hair care Related articles Ultimate Detox Mask Inflammation Buster Mask This is The Most Powerful Natural Antibiotic Ever – Kills Any Infections in The Body 3 Master Tips To Combat Stress 10 of the Most Evil Medical Experiments Conducted in […] Read More

Strangeness Posted on

Friday the 13th Facts…

Thank you to Cosmic Society www.cosmicsociety.com DID YOU KNOW !?!?? According to Smithsonian Magazine “fear of the #13 costs American a billion dollars per year in absenteeism, train and plane cancellations, and reduced commerce on the 13th of the month.” * Fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Nordic Mythology. Many of their thirteenth Gods met with violent deaths, such as Loki, the trickster. * Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune. * Lizzy Borden uttered a total of 13 words at her trial. * There were 13 original colonies. * A witches coven consists of 13 members. * Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper (although it is read as transition or change and not literal death). * Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. Same with floors […] Read More

History Posted on

The Seven Clans of the Cherokee

From ancient times the number seven was sacred to the Cherokee People. Consequently, as nomadic tribes wandering the North Ameriacan continent began to settle down and take on distinctive characteristics of place, name, language and customs. It was only natural and logical that the basic arrangment of Cherokee social, religious and political life would develope into a structure of seven clans. The Seven Cherokee Clans: BLUE (A NI SA HO NIJ) The people of the blue clan made a medicine from a bluish colored plant to keep the children well. Sometimes known as the Panther, or Wild Cat Clan. LONG HAIR ( A NI GI LO HI ) Also known as The Twister, Hair Hanging Down or Wind Clan. They wore their hair in elaborate hairdos, walked in a proud and vain manner twisting their shoulders. The Peace Chief was usually from this clan. BIRD (A NI TSI S […] Read More

Native American Legends & Stories Posted on

The Wolf Dance

I wanted to give something of my past to my grandson. So I took him into the woods, to a quiet spot. Seated at my feet he listened as I told him of the powers that were given to each creature. He moved not a muscle as I explained how the woods had always provided us with food, homes, comfort, and religion. He was awed when I related to him how the wolf became our guardian, and when I told him that I would sing the sacred wolf song over him, he was overjoyed. In my song, I appealed to the wolf to come and preside over us while I would perform the wolf ceremony so that the bondage between my grandson and the wolf would be lifelong. I sang. In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat. I sang. In my words were the powers […] Read More

Native American Legends & Stories Posted on

The Story of Corn

Image via Wikipedia The earth began as nothing but water and darkness, and all the animals were in Galúnlati, above the stone vault that makes up the sky. Eventually Galúnlati became so crowded that the animals needed more room, and they wanted to move down to earth. Not knowing what was below the water, they sent down the Water beetle to explore. Water beetle dove below the water and eventually came back with some mud from below. That mud grew and grew, and finally it became the island that we call earth. This island of earth is suspended at its four corners from ropes that hang down from the sky, and legend has it that some day the ropes will break and the earth will sink back into the water. Because it grew from mud, the new earth was very soft. Many of the birds flew down to explore […] Read More