Anyone can claim Native American heritage, but only the federally recognized Native American tribe can grant membership. Many different criteria may be used to grant tribal membership such as cultural affiliation, degree of “blood,” and genealogical lines of descent. Joining a tribe is beneficial for it gives you a sense of belongingness, support, identity and …
Christmas is a celebration and observance as both secular and religious in nature. However, it has become a cultural tradition, a sacred religious holiday, and a commercial phenomenon observed by many, including Americans. But, do Native Americans celebrate Christmas? Early Years In the past, France and Britain colonized America, dividing its territories between them. European missionaries introduced …
Today, the United States is regarded for having one of the best fashion industries in the world. But have you ever wondered where these inspirations came from or how they began? In this article, we’ll go over the history of American clothing. So if you have ever wondered what did Native Americans wear, read on. …
During the ancient times, there was not a single source of technology to fabricate any form of tools and equipment. Thus, Native American Indian tribes devised a variety of methods to make the most out of the Earth’s natural resources, particularly rocks and minerals. So what is Native American grinding stone? Prehistoric items were created …
The word Apache is a generic term that describes several tribes related by culture such as Mescalero, Lipan, Jicarilla, Chiricahua, Kiowa, and Western Apache. The Spaniards and the early Indian groups named most of the Apache sub-tribes. They based the tribe names on location, a cultural aspect, or physical appearance. The Spaniards described the Apache …
It used to be a tradition that parents would make their children dolls to play with. This was a time before we could go to the nearest store and buy the latest toy for our children. In fact, children would even make their own dolls. It is believed that Native Americans have been making corn …
Tomahawks are among some of the most known and easily identifiable items of Native American culture. They appear very basic in terms of the make-up of the tool, but it might not be as simple to make as you think! In today’s article, we’re going to examine how you can make a tomahawk, what exactly …
Dreamcatchers are made by Native Americans, but they are now sold everywhere. Their exact origin is unknown, but they are thought to have first been created by the Anishinaabe people in Canada. Dream catchers are used to catch and trap nightmares whilst allowing good dreams to travel through their feathers. They are thought to have …
In stereotypical renditions of Native Americans, we are always used to seeing elders and shamans wreathed in thick layers of smoke. Smoke has been associated with Native American tribes and rituals for a long time, but most people don’t understand the true nature of this, and why it is important to their culture. If you …
Shamans are people who have the ability to communicate with spirits, and in some cases, can also heal others. They usually do this by using their own body as an instrument of communication between themselves and other beings. Shamans are often considered spiritual leaders or teachers, but they are not always tied to religion. In …
