I can see some similarities between the practices of Native Americans and Witches, however the two systems are distinctly different.
However, this really has nothing to do with the comparison and contraction of the two systems, it has to do with people incorporating the two together and claiming things that just aren't true.
1) My Great, Great, Great-Grandmother was a Cherokee Princess
How many times have I (or any other Native) heard this. Firstly, Natives have no royalty...no one is essentially above another. Elders are revered members of tribes because of their age and experience, however they are NOT seen as above any other member of the tribe (and would deny such a claim). Chiefs also are not necessarily above anyone else either. They are gone to for advice and guidance, and are representatives, especially in negotiations with others. Everyone is on an equal playing field (so to say). So for one to say they are related to some "Cherokee Princess" is full of it, imo. There's no such thing as a "Cherokee Princess".
It also seems like everyone who doesn't really have any actual native blood in their system, makes claims that they're of Cherokee ancestry. I feel bad for those who truly ARE Cherokee, and have to deal with those who make such grandeous claims. With everyone claiming they're Cherokee, whose really Cherokee??
2) My Native American Horoscope sign is the Raven
Really, now? Being an Ojibwa native all my life, I have NEVER heard the term "Native American Horoscope Sign"...that is until I became involved with the Pagan community, and seen the perversion of the Native system from those who want to be native, but know genetically they cannot be.
There's no such thing as a "Native American Horoscope" system. There just isn't. It goes along the same lines as misrepresenting the Totem. Not everyone has a totem, and a totem is not what people think it is. It's not some random animal someone plucked off an internet site after taking some "quiz". It's also not a revered animal.
It's really driving me crazy, as though someone is scraping a blackboard with their finger nails, when I see all these people making false claims about the Native system. When you write something, do you not realize it makes no sense whatsoever??
There's a difference in being a Native American, and being an American native to the land in which you live (i.e. being born there). Culturally you live as an American, a citizen, a part of the United States (and Canada if you like). But if you are a Native American, culturally you are a part of a much older, yet mysterious group of people who are anciently more culturally associated with the land than a simple American. The simple American immigrated from Europe or other countries to the East. Whether people want to admit it or not, just because you were born in North America, doesn't mean you are a Native American. The likelihood of you having Native blood in you would most likely be slim unless you can undeniably prove your family line includes this Native blood and it would include a great deal of research into genealogy.
My family line is not so difficult to discern. Not only does my family undeniably look Native, they also have the papers to back up their claims. They are also culturally integrated, teaching the younger generations (those who will listen) the ways of our ancestors (my generation was more about doing what we wanted then learning about who we are...something I regret to this day, and look forward to the family gathering that takes place once a year to re-energize my Native blood with teachings and activity).
3) "I've decided to learn/become Wiccan. What are some "Native American" deities I can worship?"
Natives don't necessarily have deities they worship. I say "don't necessarily" because there have been a number of Natives I have encountered who make the claim they don't worship deities, however MY family constantly makes references to "Gemanidoo", The Great Spirit (or God), so when other Natives I see say there are no Gods, it kind of confuses me a bit. However, I can understand that not EVERY tribal belief is exactly the same all over; the idea of a "Great Spirit" can be seen as archetypical, rather than literal. But that's really beside the point.
Why, if you are Wiccan, are you wanting to incorporate Native traditions and beliefs if you are not Native? And if you were Native, wanting to incorporate YOUR Native beliefs into your various Pagan practices..wouldn't you KNOW who to worship or pray to??
4) (And this is a consistently perpetuated one) I just discovered my Animal Totem is (insert animal)
Perhaps one of the MAJOR peeve's for ANY Native American is someone declairing they've discovered their "animal totem", even though they have absolutely ZERO clue what a Totem actually is (pronounced "doe-ddem", not "to-tum").
First, a totem is not discovered through an internet quiz. It's not discovered through a dream, nor is it a favored or frequently seen animal. Though could be guides, but they are NOT totems. The definition of Totem is (and can also be found on the right-hand sidebar): "An animal, plant or natural object serving among certain tribal or traditional peoples as the emblem of a clan or family and sometimes revered as its founder, ancestor or guardian"
So, in laymen's terms, a Totem is an animal, plant or other natural object serving as the representative of a tribe or clan, often revered (honored) as either it's founder, ancestor or guardian. You get a totem when you determine what your family tribe or clan is. Mine is the Martin (as I have been informed of by an elder in my family line). If you're not of a native tribe or clan, you DON'T have a totem.
It's very important to the different cultural heritages in the world to understand what the cultural activities are and why these rituals are done before trying to incorporate them into your Pagan practices. They're not trendy activites that can be played with frivolously...and it is found to be greatly offensive if you do.
And for the love of God (and I can't stress this enough) PLEASE stop wearing native headdresses to concerts if you're not native (1/16th doesn't count)!!!
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