Mother Earth is Sacred !!!
American Indians see the earth in a way that we non-Indians often do not understand: an American Indian's sense of self is not separated from the earth! The interconnection with the earth and the natural world for them is a day-to-day experience. I would like to state that ALL the Indians of North America have difficulty in knowing themselves and being themselves without this relationship with their land. The vital knowledge of the generations taught them how to live with nature and be in balance and harmony with the natural world.
It is interesting to see how often indigenous art shows an interconnection between animals and people and the earth. We can see this interconnection for example; in Totems, in many of their masks that are made in the likeness of an animal. Even their clans have an intimate interconnection with animals.
There is a relationship with Mother Earth that is sacred, beneficial and carries responsibilities.
They would say "We do not possess Mother Earth and we cannot give it away; we must love it and respect it. We are part of it, and SHE is part of us" !!!
To this we owe the fact that many of them do not want to live our urban lifestyle. For many indigenous peoples there is no "good life" that does not include a daily and intimate relationship with Mother Earth and with nature. For the American Indians the land and its resources are not their property. It belongs to the Creator !!! Therefore, they could not see the treaties as a transfer of ownership. For them the treaties were perceived as the basis on which to share the use of land and its resources together.
The earth is very important to them. The traditional lands are the "place of belonging" of the nation and this bond cannot be separated from the people, from its spirituality, traditions, its culture and its identity as a nation. They are really connected to the Earth as their mother. The natural world is considered home and the right position to take on it is respectful and interconnected with protection and gratitude.
This relationship has gone beyond a simple connection: over the millennia they have developed an intricate knowledge and understanding of the natural world.
For countless generations, they have had unique, respectful and sacred ties with the land that sustained them. They do not claim ownership of the Earth, but rather declare a sense of protection towards the earth and all its creatures.
Sweetgrass
This sense of responsibility towards the earth is more than a mental or even emotional obligation; it is intrinsically linked to the Spirit. A strong communion with the spirit of all aspects of the earth, provides a unique perceptive lens through which all the activities of daily life become an expression of the Spirit. It is a spiritual connection, I would dare to say of spiritual sense of belonging. All of them share this spiritual connection, a unique spiritual consciousness as the path to humanity's survival, and our duty as human beings, together with them, is to preserve the life that is here for the benefit of unborn generations. Water is the blood of Mother Earth, the rocks are her bones and the earth is her skin. There is a plant in North America of about sixty centimeters in height that has golden flowers that resemble the tulip and its leaves are vanilla scented. It has many names, but more commonly it is called Sweetgrass, a plant used in traditional ceremonies. Sweetgrass, also known as Holy Grass, Buffalo Grass, Vanilla Grass and Zebrovka, is one of the four sacred plants (including cedar, sage and tobacco) used as a tool for prayer and purification. For Native Americans, Sweetgrass is Mother Earth's hair and is considered a gift from the Creator!!! Therefore it must be used correctly, otherwise it is considered a serious lack of respect. The Sweetgrass, must be respected because besides being a gift of the Creator and the hair of Mother Earth, it represents three very important elements; mind, body and spirit. Even during the harvest it is necessary to perform Ceremonies with the offer of tobacco, giving a blessing on the earth and praying to the four directions and ancestors. It is a plant that "belongs to them", deeply rooted in their Traditions. We too must respect it to respect their beliefs. Sweetgrass must be donated, not purchased and if purchased, it must be donated. Sweetgrass is Mother Earth's hair!Earth and womans
The majority of the American Indian nations are matriarchal societies and follow a matrilineal behavior that, according to traditional law, their bloodline is followed by the mother's side, which means that their children take the mother's clan and nation. Traditionally, the land was held in common by the women of each clan.
It was felt that since women bring new life into the world, they were in the best position to take care of the earth, which is also considered the mother of all living beings, "Mother Earth". When decisions were made concerning the land, women had to consider the effects that the decision would have on their children's future. The Haudenosaunee, for example, in these decisions reach the seventh generation in the future. Essentially women have kept the land in foster care for future generations. They were allowed to use the land in an accurate way that preserved it for generations to come; they did not own the land.
Only the Creator can have the true ownership of the land!
American Indians believe they have an intimate and spiritual duty to take care of the earth. Their ceremonies are also focused on recognition and give thanks to everything in the creation, as well as giving thanks and honoring Mother Earth.
As a result, the Native American attachment to their land would be similar to the love, respect and gratitude one has for one's mother.
In my humble opinion, their love and respect for life taught them how to walk on Mother Earth and respect the sacredness of her creation. They know how to use every part of the Mother Earth for their survival, in ceremonies and in everyday life. They use water for ceremonies to purify and nourish their spirit and their bodies. They depend on traditional foods and plants for ceremonies and to feed their communities.
One's who ...
The knowledge that derives from this love and profound respect for life also teaches them their sacred relationship with the One’s-Who-Swim, the One’s-Who-Fly, the One’s-Who-Crawl and the Four-Legged-Ones. These sacred relationships with plants and animals are embodied in their clan identities through the many traditions.
All in the Sacred Circle!!!
If these species are compromised or in danger, in the Sacred Circle, even the identification of their clans could be in danger.
They also believe that the dead remain on this earth and change shape but still roam the same lands.
Our dead never forget this beautiful world that gave them being. They still love its verdant valleys, its murmuring rivers, its magnificent mountains, sequestered vales and verdant lined lakes and bays, and ever yearn in tender fond affection over the lonely hearted living, and often return from the happy hunting ground to visit, guide, console, and comfort them.For the vast majority of the Indian Nations, Mother Earth together with the Creator gives human beings and all things life and believe that "Everything" is an integral part of it. Coming from the earth, humans are part of everything that is also from the earth, like plants, animals, soil and water. Buffalo and Birch have the same vital energy that is present in humans. Humans, animals and nature are seen more as a family than as masters and servants. The Wolf is always a Wolf, but he is often seen as a peer with his aspirations, his dreams and his motivations. The common practices of naming people and clans after animals are signs of the respect and reverence that Native Americans have for their non-human companions on this earth. They are also children of Mother Earth. A family, "Mitakuye Oyasim" in the Sacred Circle of Life! Thank you.Chief Seattle