Anthropology

First Nation people Green Ratna Bow and arrow,pg. 28

__ Religion __ The Plains Cree had a very complex spiritual worldview. It was a mixture of ancient beliefs dating from the period when they lived in the woodlands and newer beliefs that they acquired when they moved to the prairies. In the Plains Cree language, Atayohkan are the spirits (or Manito) that looks after all of the living things that were created. For instance, there is a Manito that looks after the deer and one for the buffalo. Like the Woodland Cree in the north, the Plains Cree practised the vision quest. This meant that young men went off by themselves, without food or water, for several days, until they acquired a spirit helper. The Cree also used the conjuring lodge. This was place where a shaman, or spiritual leader, could speak to his Manito spirit helpers, to receive advice and to give it to others.The Plains Cree practised an ancient ceremony called the sun dance. The people referred to it as Nipakwe Cimuwin, or "thirst dance." Some have also called it a rain dance. Whatever people called it, to complete this ceremony required personal strength and courage. A participant danced outdoors for four days without food or water. Another important ceremony took place in the smoking tipi. This was an all-night ceremony where participants, upon making a pledge, sang and smoked their sacred pipes in offering to a Manito.

__ Songs, Dances, Arts and Crafts __

Dance was an important part of Plains Cree culture. Some dances, such as the sun dance, prairie chicken dance, round dance and bear dance were performed for ceremonial and spiritual purposes. Others, such as the tea dance, were simply for enjoyment. All of the dances were accompanied by songs. (Ceremonial songs and dances are still performed today, but they are less common than in the past.) Musical instruments included drums, whistles and rattles. For important ceremonial dances, men beat the rhythm on large drums. The Plains Cree were artists who painted for both ceremonial and non-spiritual purposes. Tipis were painted and decorated by Cree artists and included representations of spirit helpers. Since women were the sole owners of the lodges, the men needed their approval before beginning to paint.

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