Central Beliefs & Morality Aboriginal Central Beliefs & Morality

Central Beliefs & Morality Aboriginal peoples believe the universe is a complex assembly of powers or spirits—small and great, beneficial and dangerous

Central Beliefs & Morality Cont’d… all power comes from a common origin, so the same energy inhabits all things some things have a greater quantity of this spirit or energy; other things have less (different aboriginal groups call this power different things)

The Great Spirit the Great Spirit inhabits all things (rocks, land, water, plants, animals, and people) it is often called the Creator, a highest God who is One

The Great Spirit Cont’d… this Spirit reveals itself in many ways in nature; these are “the spirits” in vision quests, they encounter these powers when they find their spirit helpers spirits become guardians of the person’s spirit life

The Trickster plays an important role in creation, but is not the Creator can be both mean and generous, is impulsive, a bungler, a joker or buffoon, a troublemaker For example, Nanabush is the Ojibwa Trickster. He stole fire for humans, calmed dangerous winds, and invented strategies for hunting. At times he has great power, somewhere between human and divine. reflects the belief that the world is a mixture of good and bad but also that, through painful actions good may result

The Medicine Wheel the circle represents the continuous cycles of life and the connection among all species the cross points in the 4 directions the powers of the four directions organize everything: the seasons, the races, the elements of the universe, the stages of life, etc.

The Medicine Wheel Cont’d… elders use the wheel as a tool for teaching younger generations about who they are, where they come from, their place in the world, and how they are related to each other and to everything else

Spiritual Teachers & Leaders aboriginal peoples mainly pass down their spiritual knowledge orally elders are Aboriginal men or women who are recognized, respected, and consulted for their wisdom, experience, knowledge, background, and insight

Spiritual Teachers & Leaders Cont’d… a shaman (a.k.a medicine person) has greater spiritual power than others and uses his or her powers for the benefit of the community is a physical and spiritual healer performs ceremonies using medicines and herbs remembers and tells the spiritual teachings of the community

The Circle the circle is sacred because Aboriginal peoples see the powers of the universe operating as a circle camps and traditional shelters are circular dancing for renewal of creation is done in a circle the sacred pipe is passed in a circular motion

Drums drums are sacred objects that are used in ceremonies they represent the heartbeat of the nation and of Mother Earth and provide life through its beat of different sizes, types, and purposes

Activity: The Grandfather Teachings according to the Anishinabeg peoples the first elder was given gifts of knowledge by the seven grandfathers to help the people live a good life and respect the Creator, Earth, and each other match each of these Grandfather Teachings to one of the Beatitudes of Jesus

The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

Homework read pages 86-90 in your textbook about answer questions #1-3 on page 90