Two Questions

[spiritclimber]

I was wondering about a couple of things...

I was having a look at the site, and two things I read have me curious. The first was the statement that no native people charge money for ceremonies or teachings. I thought I had heard from a couple of different sources that it was not uncommon in some cultures to offer something, such as goods or staples. Is this inaccurate? Could someone offer me some clarification on this? I know not all groups share completely similar customs across the board.

The second was the comment that native people don't use the label "shaman". I was wondering then, in what way do people refer to those who participate in what would otherwise be called shamanism? Would they be healers? Medicine people? Is no distinction ever made? There may not be the label "shaman", but what language is used to refer to the people who aren't being referred to as shamans - none at all? Very confused...

[earthw7]

wow!!!! what a name I would be scared to use a name like that?
what does it mean??
spirit climber like one climbs up the tower of bebel???

1. No you do not pay for ceremonies
example "$250 for sweatlodge" "$100 for workshop about sweatlodge" ect..
BUT, when our spiritual leaders come to our communties we give them a gift
such as blankets or something to help and feed them. Even if they never done
a ceremony we still give a gift becuase it is our way. We give gifts always.
If you made something or was given some things nice we give it away.
You must never make money for spirituality or everything you do will only
hurt people.

2. NO our people are not shamans we don't do magic. In fact Native people are very offended by the term.
We have no common words for our people who pray, heal, do ceremonies, there is not one term that a  person can use other than "Common Man".

Our people have different things they do
* A spiritual leader prays for the people, runs ceremonies
* A medicine man makes medicine from root, herbs and vision
* A healer can heal people with ceremony
* A pipe carrier is not a medicine man but a person who dicated
his life for the people to pray

To put our people in catagories tells us you know nothing about our ways

[Dine Asdzani Nizhoni]

Each nation is different 

in your question of course.

DAN

[earthw7]

Very true
I am can only speak about my tribe because I don't know what other tribes do

[Dine Asdzani Nizhoni]

In the question you seek, in some tribe it not to be discussed.
Because you not of the tribe.

Thing that are done within the tribe, should be taught to you when you are in the tribe.

just some thoughts for you
DAN

[Kevin]

He-Who-Climbs-Up-On-Ghosts a cultural analogy would be Funeral Directors and embalmers finding it very offensive to be called undertakers and genuinely interested people who don't try to act like Indians or pretend they are Indians don't want to be called wannabes.  You may want to change your name as a gesture of sincerity. It's up to you but if not, I've got one, Dances With Badgers, that I'll only charge you a crisp $100.00 bill for. That sounds more macho than merely climbing spirits, more earthy and gritty too.

[C Standing Bear]

wow!!!! what a name I would be scared to use a name like that?
what does it mean??
spirit climber like one climbs up the tower of bebel???

1. No you do not pay for ceremonies
example "$250 for sweatlodge" "$100 for workshop about sweatlodge" ect..
BUT, when our spiritual leaders come to our communties we give them a gift
such as blankets or something to help and feed them. Even if they never done
a ceremony we still give a gift becuase it is our way. We give gifts always.
If you made something or was given some things nice we give it away.
You must never make money for spirituality or everything you do will only
hurt people.

2. NO our people are not shamans we don't do magic. In fact Native people are very offended by the term.
We have no common words for our people who pray, heal, do ceremonies, there is not one term that a  person can use other than "Common Man".

Our people have different things they do
* A spiritual leader prays for the people, runs ceremonies
* A medicine man makes medicine from root, herbs and vision
* A healer can heal people with ceremony
* A pipe carrier is not a medicine man but a person who dicated
his life for the people to pray

To put our people in catagories tells us you know nothing about our ways

I agree. I also have to say that in todays world that spiritual leaders are in need of monetary gifts also. There is a lot of expense now days. Need for gas for transportation. Wood for fires. Food for feasts. Paper products. You get the drift. Some one has to cover these expenses.

Also, if we as people want our spiritual leaders available 24/7 then we need to consider that he also has to support his family.