American Indian Beliefs and Traditions

American Indian beliefs and traditions include reverence and respect for life. Death is not all that different than life, for everything is sacred. Every part of the dirt, rocks, trees, of all things, is sacred. [Page 42]The ashes of the dead are resting in sacred ground. Rather than disconnecting with the dead, American Indians continue to have a relationship with the dead. Rather than fearing death, it is a part of the life cycle to be accepted. The deceased continues to be loved and continues to love, care for, and protect the living.

All life is important. The plants and animals that gave up life in providing sustenance on a daily basis are thanked, as is the soil that nourishes the plants and the animals. Mother Earth is thanked for providing sustenance to the living. Everyone, including the least among the community, is thanked for contributing to the people's survival. This is the credo of American Indian beliefs and traditions as these pertain to the death and dying human experience. In the following sections historical and contemporary practices are examined.

Historical Development and Decline of Tradition

Native American burial and bereavement practices have been changed and forgotten over many centuries. The infusion of European religions, the lack of a written history of religious and spiritual practices, and the decline and death of many Native American languages means that many practices and ceremonies have been lost forever. Although some tribal groups cease practicing traditional ways, for all cultural groups death remains a village affair. People wash and prepare the body. Family and friends mourn the loss; some wear mourning clothes. All engage in mourning practices as the deceased is assisted on his or her journey by song, laments, eulogies, gossip, laughter, joking, appeals to spirits, appeals to God, dancing, prayer, and ritual. Some cremate, some bury the deceased.

Impact of Christianity

Like many clans, the Flathead Indians combine Christian and quite often Catholic traditions with their own traditional ways. Some Christian clergy act with respect and try to preserve traditional ways. Many funeral directors also respect and preserve traditional ways. Others attempt to destroy the traditional American Indian beliefs and practices.

Also known as the Salish, Bitterroot Salish, and as the Pend d'Oreille or Kalispel, the Flathead and other Plains Indian groups assimilated many Christian practices. The sign of the cross, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” for example, is translated “L'squest's Le-eu u Sku-se u Sant Spahpah-paht. Ko-mee e-tse-hyl.” Flathead funerals include wakes and feast days are celebrated. Believing that death comes to all, young, old, rich, or poor, the Flathead are always ready for the inevitability of death. Each morning, one gives thanks to God for the day, for life, and for assistance in surviving the day. Prior to sleep, one gives thanks to God for the day and to awaken another day. Death is not feared; rather, death is anticipated as a joyous event. For the Flathead the wake represents a spiritually uplifting experience for all. One greets the deceased and prays with the prayer leader and someone stays with the deceased throughout the 1- to 3-day wake.

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