" NATIVE TEACHINGS ARE ABOUT A WAY OF LIFE "

Teachings may vary from First Nation to First Nation and even from one geographic region to another. For more information, please consult with a Traditional Elder, Healer or Medicine Person.

This is information I have gathered through out my journeys and I have decided to share this with everyone who is interested. I do not claim to be an Elder, Healer or Medicine person.

THE FOUR SACRED MEDICINES

All medicines are to be respected and handled with care.If you have been using alcohol or drugs, Healers say you should wait four to seven days before touching the medicines. Medicines are to be kept in a dry place and may be stored in a paper bag or wooden boxes.

The four sacred medicines are used in everyday life and in ceremonies. All of them can be used to smudge with. It is said that Tobacco sits in the eastern door, Sweetgrass in the southern door, Sage in the western door and Cedar in the northern door. Elders say that the spirits like the aroma produced when we burn tobacco and the other sacred medicines.

1-TOBACCO

Traditional people say that tobacco is always first. It is used as an offering for everything and in every ceremony."Always through Tobacco", the saying goes.

Traditional tobacco was given to us so that we can communicate with the spirit world. It opens the door to allow that communication to take place. When we make an offering of tobacco, we communicate our thoughts and feelings through the tobacco as we pray for ourselves,our family,relatives and friends. Tobacco is offered as an offering when we seek advice,  of an Elder, Healer or Medicine Person. We also express gratitude by offering tobacco-it is put down in thanks, to the first Family, the natural world and after a fast.

2-SAGE

Sage is used to propare people for ceremonies and teacings. Because it is more medicinal and stronger than sweetgrass, it tends to be used more often in ceremonies.

Sage is used for releasing what is troubling in mind and for removing negative energy. It is also used for cleansing homes and sacred items. it also has other medicinal uses. There is male sage and female sage. The female sage is used by women.

3-CEDAR

Like sage and sweetgrass, cedar is used to purify the home.

It has many restorative medicinal uses. Cedar Baths are healing.

When cedar is put in the fire with tobacco it crackles. When it does this, it is calling the attention of the spirits to the offering that is being made. Cedar is used in fasting and sweat lodge ceremonies as a form of protection: cedar branches cover the floor of the sweat lodge and a circle of cedar surrounds the faster's lodge.

4-SWEETGRASS

 Sweetgrass is the sacred hair of Mother Earth. Its sweet aroma reminds people of the gentleness, love and kindness she has for the people.

When sweetgrass is used in a healing circle it has a calming effect. Like Sage and Cedar, Sweetgrass is used for smudging and purification.

The Medicine Wheel is used by the Woodland Indians of the Great Lakes. It is wrapped with deer hide. It is made round to represent the Circle of Life. We tie a cross in the centre to represent the four directions, the four winds, the four seasons and the four grandfathers ( our Teachers). Traditionally, they are made with eagle feathers which, being sacred to us are not sold. Therefore, other feathers are used in their place. The colours of Life and the four seasons are used in the form of beads.