A drummer makes an offering.
He sprinkles a pinch of tobacco on the drum. A hunter thanks a bear for dying so that the hunter and his people may eat. People who gather wild fruits leave behind a basket with a cornmeal dumpling inside as thanks.
Every aspect of Native American life is connected to spiritual beliefs. Each tribe has its own beliefs, myths, ceremonies, and sacred places. However, there’s a common thread among Native American cultures. They all revere nature and respect all forms of life.
When Europeans came to America, their values clashed with those of the Native Americans. Native Americans wanted to live in harmony with nature. The newcomers wanted to dominate it. With no respect for the views of their Native hosts, whites put riches and power above all. Today, many Americans see how bad that attitude has been for our planet. Some are looking to the ancient ways of Native Americans for guidance.
