RELATIONSHIP TO OUR ANCESTORS

-Marti

RELATIONSHIP TO OUR ANCESTORS
First Nations Ancestors were often accused of having a rather cavalier attitude toward death. Nothing could be further from the truth. Native ceremonies allowed for a time of keening for the dead, but the prophetic words of the great Nimii-puu (Nez Percé) Leader, Chief Joseph resonates through most tribes. He remarked that his Ancestors were not dead but merely ‘living in another world’. In this way they would always be kept alive in present day realities. Moreover, the Ancestors are always the first ones called to a ceremony.
Native people simply accepted that the essence of a person would remain an integral part of everyday life even though the physical body had been returned to the Earth Mother. Tribal survival also did not allow for extensive grieving because it was a harsh environment and life had to plough on. Therefore, it was a comfort to those who were grieving that their loved-one(s) really never left them. T
Ancestors are are the first family members we call to ceremony, and they always come. They love a good get together!. In most traditional ceremonies to this day, the Ancestors are usually at the top of the list to be called to the dance. It was simply unheard of to conduct a ceremony without the presence of the entire family, both Seen and Unseen.