1. Ceremonies and Rituals
Mi’kmaq Studies

2. Ceremonies and Rituals
What are ceremonies and rituals?
What are some ceremonies and rituals that we take part in today? What do they look, sound and feel like?
Write down your ideas.

3. Ceremonies and Rituals
A ritual is order of a ceremony
A ceremony is a formal act or procedure that is customary to a particular culture.

4. Mi’kmaq Ceremonies
Mi’kmaq connect with their culture and spirituality by taking part in traditional ceremonies and rituals
The traditional Mi’kmaq cultural ceremonies are not as widely practiced today due to assimilation into European culture
To keep their culture alive, it is important that the Mi’kmaq continue to take part in the ceremonies and rituals of theirs ancestors

5. Pow Wow Preserve heritage Renew old friendships and make new ones
Visiting
Dancing
Singing

6. Fasting
A person must fast for four days before they enter some ceremonies (including food, drugs and alcohol)
Cleanse the body and spirit to better connect with the Creator

7. Vision Quest
Takes place when a person comes to a critical moment in their life
A new direction or better purpose must be chosen
Look to the creator for guidance
Sacred, personal adventure

8. Talking Circle Way to discuss and solve problems
Only one person talks at a time
Everyone gets a chance to talk
Respect what others say

9. Pipe Ceremony Used to exchange information after a period of fasting
Usually held by a healer or medicine man

10. Sweat Lodge Lodge constructed of willow or alder bushes
Entrance always faces east
Hot rocks placed in the centre
People enter and exit many times throughout the ceremony
Ceremony is for spiritual cleansing and healing

11. Smudging Similar to blessing oneself in Catholic faith
Done to cleanse the spirit before taking part in a traditional ceremony
The smoke from sweet grass, cedar and sage is used for smudging

12. Sweet Grass Found between bodies of salt and fresh water
Signifies spiritual strength, as it is given by Mother Earth
Burn sweet grass to purify and cleanse ourselves
Done so our ceremonies will be celebrated in a respectful way

13. Ceremonial Items
Drums: The drum is a symbol of spiritual strength for the Mi'kmaq people. It represents the heartbeat of the people.
Cedar:
Used for smudging in traditional ceremonies
Sage:
Used for smudging
Tobacco:
Used in burial ceremonies, pipe ceremonies and to send a message to people in your community to ask for help

14. Ceremonial Items Rock:
Used in sweat lodge ceremony, the rock is being asked to give up it’s life
Eagle feather:
Way of delivering a message to the Creator
Honor to receive and eagle feather
Eagle is the only creature to have touched the face of the creator
Through the eagle, native people can identify and appreciate the Creator’s spirit among them

15. A Closer Look at a Pow Wow
A Pow Wow in Dartmouth: elated