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NATIVE AMERICAN INFO. The Maasai. Our Common Ancient Ancestors Our ancestors have inhabited this planet for many millions of years, probably originating from Africa and more specifically perhaps the Great Rift Valley in Kenya (also known as the "Cradle of Mankind"). One theory is that the African landscape and climate (for example the formation of the Great Rift Valley and a gradual change from rain-forest to savannah) encouraged the evolution towards modern humans. The clearing of forests drove a need to descend from the trees and walk upright (bipedal) - offering the advantages of faster speed over ground and a better vantage point to survey the surroundings whilst freeing the hands to carry objects or forage for food. Fossil remnants have been found in Africa dating back many millions of years, however the best remains and knowledge of our ancestors extends back only around four to five million years.

Other famous discoveries, some by Dr. Tribal Migration into Kenya Coastal Development The Maasai Arrive Difficult Times. Kiowa Sun Dance. The Last Kiowa Sun Dance These pages are dedicated to LINN PAUAHLTY and SCOTT TONEMAH, two Kiowa Elders who have sought to preserve the history and culture of the Kiowa People and have shared their knowledge with the younger tribal members. O Dom-oye-alm-k' hee, Creater of the earth,Bless my prayer and heal our land,Increase our food, the buffalo power,Multiply my people, prolong their lives on earth,Protect us from troubles and sickness,That happiness and joy may be ours in life,That life we live is so uncertain,Consider my supplications with kindness,For I talk to you as yet living for my people.

This prayer was last said one hundred eleven years ago, in 1887 when the Kiowa people held the last Sun dance, a religious and ceremonial gathering that was the centeral feature of Kiowa life for hundreds of years. The last century has brought great changes for the Kiowa. Arvo Quoetone MikkanenAuthor The Significance of the Sun Dance The Kiowa Calender Records of the Sun Dance The Sun Dance. A Voice for Indigenous Issues, Concerns, Cultures and Customs | FVIR. Native American Quotes, Native American Wisdom Sayings. Inspirational sayings, quotes, and words of wisdom from a Native American perspective, reflecting Native American beliefs, philosophy and spirituality. Cherokee Prayer Blessing May the Warm Winds of HeavenBlow softly upon your house.May the Great SpiritBless all who enter there.May your MocassinsMake happy tracksin many snows,and may the RainbowAlways touch your shoulder.

Treat the earth well.It was not given to you by your parents,it was loaned to you by your children.We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,we borrow it from our Children. Ancient Indian Proverb You have noticed that everything an Indian does in a circle,and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles,and everything and everything tries to be round. In the old days all our power came to us from the sacred hoopof the nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken the peopleflourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop,and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. White Elk Hold On. Two Spirit  People Nadleeh Berdache in Native American Culture. Williams.pdf (application/pdf Object) Two-Spirit. Two-spirit people (also two spirit or twospirit) is a modern umbrella term used by some indigenous North Americans for gender-variant individuals within their communities.

Non-Native anthropologists have historically used the term berdaches /bərˈdæʃɨz/ for individuals who fulfill one of many mixed gender roles in First Nations and Native American tribes, but this term has more recently fallen out of favour. Third and fourth gender roles historically embodied by two-spirit people include performing work and wearing clothing associated with both men and women.

Some tribes consider there to be at least four gender identities: masculine men, feminine men, masculine women, and feminine women. The presence of male two-spirits "was a fundamental institution among most tribal peoples. "[1] According to Will Roscoe, male and female two-spirits have been "documented in over 130 North America tribes, in every region of the continent Terminology[edit] Definition and historic societal role[edit]

Berdache Origin Myth. Berdache Origin Myth retold by Richard L. Dieterle A berdache is a man who, in conformity with social convention, assumes a woman's role in every respect. The Hočąk word for "berdache" was teją́čowįga, "blue ocean woman. " Version 1. By S. Collected by J. Retold by Nancy Oestreich Lurie The raconteur is identified only as S. Variant 1. The following gloss was added: "This took place many years ago and no one knows why the grandmother took such a harsh stand except that possibly she had some old grudge against the Sioux. Variant 2. Version 2 by M. Collected by Nancy Oestreich Lurie This story is possibly historical, but it is similar enough to version 1 to make us think that it is a myth.

"According to M.R., a party of Winnebago once went on the warpath and were badly beaten. Version 3 See the berdache episode in The Chief of the Heroka. [8] Commentary. "bad story" — contrary to what the raconteur thought, this is actually a good story. "Čoranajįga" — this name means "Standing in the Blue".