Sundance
- 2. What is a Sundance? • A Sundance is one of the greatest and biggest sacred ceremonies that Native Americans and First Nation people use as a healing dance. • The Sundance could also be known as a Thirst Dance, Rain Dance, and Medicine Dance, Healing lodge, Sacred lodge and so forth. • The Sundance takes place in round lodge that is already built or a new one made each year with a new tree in the middle. • The Sundance is used in the warm summer days usually in June to August. • The Sundance is similar to the ceremony fasting were dancers or fasters don’t eat or drink for 3-4 days • The Sundance is usually done once a year but a four year commitment is needed from the Dancer. • Sundance is made in many different ways and used for many different reasons. • The Sundance is a very spiritual ceremony and there are many different rituals and protocols that are done in order to be respectful and meet the Sundance traditions. • Various reasons when and why to dance for different tribes most likely. • Sundance songs and drumming are done for the dancers and traditions.
- 3. Sundance History • The Sundance was given to a Native American man in a vision. It is said that the Sundance was first used by the plains First Nations in America. ( It is said that the Sundance was first used in the reservation called Wind River by the Shoshone Natives.) • The Sundance began in the early 1700’s and was beginning to be used everywhere in the 1800’s. In the early 1900’s the Sundance was band but began its new beginning in mid 1900’s especially in the year 1978 when the new bill Indian Religious freedom act was made so first nations could practice there traditions. • The Indian Agents, U.S military and the governments wanted to band the Ceremony because they thought it interfered with the assimilation and trying to move first nations away from their traditions and start farming and ranching. • Non first nations settlers would attend the Sundance and watch but they merely saw it as entertainment and did not understand the true meaning of the Sundance. Settlers thought the ceremony was wild and barbaric and did not like the large gatherings of hundreds or thousands of Natives. • Non first nations were asked not to come to the Sundance anymore. • Only men were allowed to dance but today women dance too.
- 4. What is the purpose of a Sundance? • The purpose of a Sundance is to pray, heal and cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. • The Sundance is very spiritual therefore people gain a strong spiritual connection and are there to find balance and meaning to life. • Sacrifices and challenges are done in order to gain a close connection with the creator and one’s self as well as to have prayers answered or heard in the spirit world. • The main purpose for the Sundance is for praying for positive blessings in ones life or community. The main focus for the dancers if to pray from sunrise to sunset for three to four days. • Good prayers and sacrifices done for ones family, self, community, others, good health and all life on earth and mother earth. • There are no negative messages that come out of the Sundance. Someone can pray and ask creator to take negative energy away from them and wish for a healthy balance for all. • Fasting is part of the sacrifice, piercing, dragging, and hanging and flesh offerings as well. I assure you no one dies at a Sundance; the sacrifices a person does to their body is so the creator and ancestors can accept there prayers and answer.
- 5. Sundance chief In order to have a Sundance there must always be a Sundance chief who was given the gift to carry the Sundance Ceremony; either by the creator through ceremony, visions or another Sundance chief. The Sundance Chief is the one who is in charge and knows the proper protocols and organizes the Sundance. He also chooses his singers, dancers, helpers and elders. The Sundance chief must know his traditional teachings and practises in order to run the Sundance and have a close connection with spirit.
- 6. Preparation; Note: •It takes all year round to prepare for the next Sundance. •Dancers get the things they will need ready and the Sundance chief and community do this as well. •Dancers prepare tobacco ties, sage ties, eagle bones and whistle are to be ready, offerings they will need such as tobacco and cloth and there bedding. •Fourth year dancers get there give-a- ways ready. •The Sundance chief prepares buffalo skulls and hides, eagle bones, patches, offerings, supplies, materials and holds 4 gatherings before the Sundance. •Helpers and cookers will bring food for the feast and the Sundance family. •Dancers give there pledge before they dance. •Tipis and grounds are prepared for the Sundance including chief picks the place and spot.
- 8. At the Sundance Sundance Community Dancers • Leaders: The Sundance chief, second • There could range up to 30 dancers to in charge on men's side and women in 100 dancers or more. charge on women's side, elders. • Today there can be men and women • Helpers: Sacred fire keepers, piercers, dancers. doctors(medicine men and women), • Ages 13 and up smudgers, cookers and stale holders. • Dancers do there part according to • Children who are there to learn the protocols. Sundance • Family support: Dancers families and helpers. • Drummers and Singers
- 9. Protocols, regulations and morals • All the dancers must help build the Sundance • No one can be “piggy” at the sacred lodge. grounds of the Sundance. • Men and women do separate certain things to • Men and women stay on there sides of the build the Sundance lodge. lodge. • Men and women must dress in proper clothing. • No women on there moon time can go in the • Women wear skirts and no tank tops or bra straps lodge. cant be showing. Including women outside the • Everyone must clean up after themselves; lodge (must be covered) no garbage is left on the land. • Men Sundancers wear skirts in the Sundance • Chap stick, lotion, wipes, hats, perfume etc. lodge are prohibited for the dancers. • Everyone wears the color red for this represents • Children can not run in the woods because life. No one should wear dark colors because the of safety hazards. spirits cant see them and protect them. • Everyone must be respectful. • Dancers make sage ties to keep themselves protected. • Anyone who picks medicine must do the • Dancers must stay in the Sundance lodge for the proper protocols by putting down tobacco 3-four days and sleep in the lodge. and saying a prayer. • Absolutely no food or water inside the lodge and • There is a certain bed time for everyone. around. • Sundancers should go back after there four • People who are camping must be quiet and loud years to help and support the new dancers. music cannot be played; cant be too close.
- 11. Sundance lodge The Sundance lodge could be built in many ways. The Sundance lodge is also built in certain ways because of spiritual purpose. Everything in its structure has a purpose. A door is made so others could come in including the spirits. Men and women have their certain parts to build the lodge. A poplar tree sacrifices its life so it can take our prayers to the great spirit. It takes for days for its spirit to get there. At the top of the tree is a nest made for the thunderbird to sit and watch over us. The sacred tree is respected with proper protocols such as being dressed with cloth and painted.
- 14. Ceremonies & Sacred items • There are certain medicines and items • A children's ceremony is done to bless used at the Sundance for traditional them and future generations. purposes. • Buffalo skulls, hides, eagle bones, feathers and fans, sacred pipes, smudges and tobacco are some of the things used. • Sweats are done the day before for cleansing and praying. • The buffalo dance, horse ceremony, wegiducan dance, piercing, hanging, flesh offerings and more are ceremonies done in order to help the dancers and others in the spiritual world. • The honoring of the Sun ceremony is done before the sun rises. A honor song and dance is done as everyone faces the east.
- 16. Importance • To keep the tradition alive and keep a balance in our lives • To pass down to each generation • Know our culture and traditions; connection with our spirits. • Help each other • Come together as family
- 17. Celebration! • At the end of the four days of dancing. The dancers wait very patiently for the fourth year dancers to do there give-a-ways. The dancers are very anxious to see there families. When the dancers come out of there lodge the go up the sacred tree and thank him for his sacrifice and put down there tobacco ties and leave the prayers that will go with him to the creator. The Sundance chief and families wait outside the lodge and as the dancers exit they hug there families and are very happy to be with them again. All the dancers then line up in a circle, hold hands and cheer for there happiness. There is plenty of water handed out and the day ends with a feast Congrats to all the dancers for being strong and finishing another year at the Sundance!
- 21. Thank you! I hope everyone enjoyed my presentation as well I hope everyone will try to attend a Sundance in there lifetime and maybe even take part in one Thank you.