A drummer sprinkles a few grains of tobacco on the drum as an offering.
A hunter thanks a bear for dying so that the hunter and his people may eat. Gatherers of wild fruits leave behind a basket containing a cornmeal dumpling as thanks.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that 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 have a reverence for nature and a respect for all forms of life.
When European explorers and settlers came to America, their values clashed with those of the Native Americans. Native Americans tried to live in harmony with nature. The newcomers wanted to dominate it. With no respect for the views of their Native hosts, whites chased their dream of material progress. Today, many Americans realize the negative effects that unchecked materialism has on our planet. Some are looking to the ancient ways of Native Americans for guidance.
