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Minnesota History

A glossary of Native spirituality

Some of the most common terms, symbols and beliefs involved in Anishinaabe spiritual practices.

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Part 1: The spirits spoke to him

Bob Shimek rediscovers his native spirituality.

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Part 3: Christianizing the Indians

Many Indian people have lost touch with traditional ways. Worship was illegal for generations of Indians.

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Part 6: Ceremony and symbolism

Ceremonies are the most visible part of American Indian spirituality. But to the Anishinaabe, there's much more to walking the Red Road than the occasional ceremony. Anishinaabe people say their spiritual beliefs influence everything they do, every decision they make.

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Part 5: Where tradition thrives

For those who practice spiritual rituals, the heart of the Red Lake Reservation is the town of Ponemah. Christianity flourished in many reservation communities. But it never gained a large following in Ponemah, population 1,000.

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Part 4: One church, two traditions

About 2,000 people living on the Red Lake Indian Reservation are baptized Catholics. That's half the population.

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Commentary: A reflection on Native American spirituality

The Rev. Lisa White Smith has been an Episcopal priest on the White Earth Reservation for nearly a decade. She shares her thoughts on Native American spirituality.

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'The jewelry on American culture'

American Indians fear their spirituality is being stolen and sold.

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The seven fires

Seven prophets came to the Anishinaabe. They came at a time when the people were living a full and peaceful life on the northastern coast of North America. These prophets left the people with seven predictions of what the future would bring. Each of the prophecies was called a fire and each fire referred to a particular era of time that would come in the future. Thus, the teachings of the seven prophets are now called the "Seven Fires."

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Part 8: Returning to the Red Road

As more American Indians seek out their spiritual heritage, there's growing tension over what is traditional.

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