ABORIGINAL MYSTICISM

By: Amanda Ferrari, Stefanie Eric-Markovic, Julia Themelis,Juliana Angelicchio

Aboriginal MythologyIgluik- world parent Haida - Conflict and

Robbery

Mi'kmaq - Two Creators and their Conflicts

Siouan- Emergency

Cree- World Parent

Algonquin - Brother

Huron- world parent

Dene - Creation of Seasons

Tsimshian - Rebirth of a Corpse

 Iroquois –Earth Diviner

Life And Death-Burial Ceremonies (Indigenous vs Western)

Indigenous: Funeral takes place and many rituals are

performed There are two burials that take place During the first burial, the body is placed

on a wooden platform During the second burial, the bones are

collected This is one of the practices out of many

Western: Funeral takes place Rituals differ from indigenous rituals Embalming Remorse rather than celebration

Giving Thanks- Hunting and Harvesting in the Present

Hunting and harvesting is a way of giving thanks

Give thanks to spirits Give thanks to the

animals before eating them

The animals are equal to us, therefore, they show thanks to the world

Manitou- Spirit, Diety, God, Supernatural Power

Manitou is the primeval force which gives everything (animals, trees, rocks) its power.

Manitou – translated in English – “spirit”

Manitou is located in all living and non- living objects

Should not be confused with Gitche- Manitou The supreme being which filled everything

on earth with “Manitou”

There is a comic book character depiction of Manitou in comic books, where his name is changed to Manabohzo.

Trickster

A trickster is considered a key character with a significance in oral traditions of Aboriginal people.

They are particularly amusing, disruptive and mischievous, but yet they each leave a message or irony in a story.

Trickster characters represent basic instincts and are sometimes known as “The Father of the Indian People”.

Examples: Nanabush, Whiskey Jack, Coyote, Rabbit

Nanabush and the Beavers

Coyote