Preview

Informative Speech On Native American Culture

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1021 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Informative Speech On Native American Culture
Specific Purpose: To inform the class about the evolution of Native American culture.
Thesis: Modern Native American traditions reflect the history of struggle, strife and triumph they experienced in history.
Introduction: As most of us know, Native American’s have a rich history of struggle and also triumph. Many modern Native American traditions reflect the story and struggle Native American’s experienced. These stories are filled with tradition closely tied to Mother Nature. I’m sure many of you have seen Native American art and objects, such as teepees, totem poles, and moccasins. These are articles that tied together Native American life. I’m going to share with you the meaning behind these symbols and traditions, and how they affect modern …show more content…
They were historically used as tents, for ceremonies, and hunting.
C. Some of you may or may not have heard of a Native American Powwow.
a. A Powwow is a spiritual ceremony which men and women dance and sing in circles and groups to celebrate the circle of life and death. They normally include food, chanting, drums, and spiritual believers.
b. A “pau-wau” was a term given to a healing ceremony conducted by people of religious or spiritual power.
c. When European settlers started settling they witnessed these and soon every native American gathering was called a “powwow”
As you can tell

Conclusion
As you can see Native American traditions, symbols, and objects have changed over time. Traditions and ceremonies are strongly connected to the earth and celebration of life and death. Next time you are at riverside and see the totem pole or when you see new moccasins at the mall, remember the historic ties to Native American life.

` Works Cited
"Native American Rituals and Ceremonies - History and Information." Native AmericanRituals and Ceremonies - History and Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 July 2015.
2. Online Source
3. There is no author listed. The information seems reliable and relevant to other …show more content…
Feather, Fran Dancing, and Rita Robinson. Exploring Native American Wisdom: Lore,Traditions, and Rituals That Connect Us All. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page, 2003. Print.
2. Book
3. Fran Dancing Feather and Rita Robinson are the authors. The information is verifiableand has supporting material relevant to the subject

1. "Ho-Chunk Indian Fact Sheet." Facts for Kids: Ho-chunk Indians (Winnebagos). N.p.,n.d. Web. 02 July 2015.2. Online source3. This page has no author listed, the information is clear, relavant and verifiable.
1. "Wisconsin." CultureGrams States Edition. ProQuest, 2015. Web. 2 Jul 2015.
2. Online Source
3. No author listed. CultureGrams is a reliable source and is relevant to the
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Head Flattening Ceremony, The Bone Picker Ritual
    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Head Flattening Ceremony, The Bone Picker Ritual

    First off, the Head Flattening Ceremony. When a male was born the Choctaw would attach a board to the infant's head. This would flatten the heads of the children. This was common, but since the tradition was not passed down throughout the years, the purpose or reasoning behind this is not clear. However, if I had to guess I would say that it is a right of passage. It could also be used as a tool so that they can easily put items on their head to make traveling easier (tribalpedia.com).…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Black Elk Speaks: Analysis
    • 1052 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Black Elk Speaks: Analysis

    Black Elk speaks about his culture and how the traditional Sioux Indian’s way of life created interdependence between man and nature. Appreciating nature, giving thanks to mother earth and taking care of their own was what the Native American lived for, unlike the white man or “Wasichus” as Black Elk called them, who came to America looking to take control of the Sioux land, using all the natural resources while looking for their precious metal, gold. The Native American was about balance and only taking enough so there would be more for tomorrow. Appreciating earth and nature is where most of their religion and symbols came from. Respect for the cycle of the seasons and the animals’ lifevwas necessary in order to…

    • 1052 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Lakota Tribe Ritual
    • 1401 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Lakota Tribe Ritual

    The first consisting of language. Without knowing the Lakota language, the ceremonies aren’t interpreted with as much emphasis and the traditional way of life begins to disappear. An increase in those participating in the sacred rites, such as the Sundance, means that it is crucial the Lakota language is not separated and lost in time. Second, is the growth of rites not included in the “seven classics” like Yuwipi, as well as maintaining ideologies such as the Sacred Hoop, Paha Sapa, and the Four Directions; rooted traditions of the Lakota. Lastly is the addition of the Christian religion to the Lakota nation and its ability to express their beliefs in another manner. The Wiwanyag Wachipi did in fact have non-Lakota influences as Edgar Red Cloud compared the two; “The wreath worn by the dancers was like the crown of thorns Jesus wore; the piercing of the chest is a reminder that Jesus was pierced on the cross” (LaPointe, 1976: 115). The Lakota (and not Lakota) influences come from individuals such as White Buffalo Woman, Nicholas Black Elk, the Roman Catholic Church, as well as non-natives that practice these sacred ceremonies alongside the Lakota (Young: 197,…

    • 1401 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Maidu Indians
    • 3102 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Maidu Indians

    The Maidu were the Native Americans who once inhabited the region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Sacramento valley. The Maidu are divided into principally three groups called, the mountain Maidu, the hill Maidu and the valley Maidu. The hill and mountain Maidu were the divisions who actually used the term Maidu which means “person” whereas; the valley Maidu used the term Nishinam or Nisinan. The differences between these three groups exist in slight distinctions in language, customs, either subtly or grossly, and relative wealth. The Valley Maidu tended to be wealthier, living in more weatherproof houses, and having more elaborate ceremonial regalia. Probably at least partially because for the mountain Maidu, summer was short, and the gathering season needed to be fully taken advantage of because they lived in harsh conditions most of the year was either spent preparing for winter or trying to live through the winter. Whereas, for the valley, and to some extent the hill Maidu, there was more time during the summer and in the mild winter for the development of their society and culture.…

    • 3102 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Spirits For Sale
    • 929 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Spirits For Sale

    The rituals were reviewed as an important significance in facilitating interactions with the sacred. In other words, it can mean communing with deities, and honoring ancestors. This underscores the connection of Native American’s relationship with their spirits and ancestors. However, the Native Americans are having to fight a major battle in maintaining tradition yet allowing for the influence of contemporary values they face every day. It proves to be challenging because the beliefs that make contemporary society are drastically different from their traditional customs. In addition, being a Native American had a stereotype associated to being drug addicts and alcoholics. This meant no jobs, and no housing. Due to the lack of respect for the way these people pray, and live to understand their relationship of the world around them the biggest problem, Annika explains, for the Native American people today is invisibility. She explains throughout the film how the American people forgot about the natives, where they made treaties with them and yet failed to uphold their part of the treaty, by stealing lands. One of the many ways these Native Americans have been countering these issues have been where one out of four tribes in the US have casinos and use that money to fund education, housing and have control over their own finances and resources. This creates freedom for the community while at the same time holding on to their identity. Vic Camp, one of several interviewees of the film beautifully summarizes the reflection of the Native American’s struggles by stating, “[w]e live in America, but we are not Americans. But we are the first nation here, protectors of this land. So we are going to be here on the July 4th to celebrate our independence…

    • 929 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Smoke Signals
    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Smoke Signals

    For most of my life, the word “Native American” had immediately made me think of feathers, powwows, and a society uncorrupted by civilization. However, in watching the movie Smoke Signals, a movie that depicts the modern Native American culture, I learned many other things. For one, I learned that many of the customs that modern Native Americans have are very similar to my others. I also saw that the family life of the Native Americans in the film had many of the same problems that my family had undergone in the past years such as fighting and not telling along. This film was unlike any that I have ever seen.…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    White Deerskin Dance
    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages

    White Deerskin Dance

    The White Deerskin Dance of the Hupa Indian tribe was a ceremonial dance that symbolized the regeneration or renewal of their society, and functioned as an important “part of the ritual calendar that makes up the religious life of the tribe and it expresses the supernatural sentiments of the people in their most poignant form” (Goldschmidt et al., 121). The ceremony served “to wipe out the evil brought into the world by members of the society who have broken taboos” (Goldschmidt et al., 121); as these white deerskins were seen as a sacred mascot “which will protect the owner and his friends from every trouble” (Pierce 9). The dance commenced after a ceremonial ground was selected “between the several places of importance (Goldschmidt et al.,…

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethos Of Native Americans Rhetorical Analysis
    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ethos Of Native Americans Rhetorical Analysis

    Native Americans were the first people to have arrived in America, and to have built an establishment in America. Many people have a stereotype on how they lived and still live currently, and many Native Americans don’t consent to that at all. The way many people believe that the Native Americans lived a nomadic type of lifestyle, such as hunting large animals for food, using animal parts to create clothing, and many other actions. This article that the author has wrote is very convincing on how a Native American feels about how people are stereotyping him and his type of people. It gives a perspective from a Native American’s point of view of what they deal with on a daily basis, and throughout their entire life. The main reason that is convincing…

    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Native American Cultural Assessment: the Cherokee
    • 3023 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Native American Cultural Assessment: the Cherokee

    The Cherokee are perhaps one of the most interesting of Native American Groups. Their life and culture are closely intertwined with early American settlers and the history of our own nation 's struggle for freedom. In the interest of promoting tolerance and peace, and with regard to the United States government 's handling of Native affairs, their story is one that is painful, stoic, and must not be forgotten.…

    • 3023 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Indigenous Culture Website Reviews
    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Indigenous Culture Website Reviews

    The main purpose of the article was to educate about the people of Arctic Russia. It goes into detail about the oppression of the people and the plan to erase the culture that they hold as an important part of their lifestyle. It also explains the current events that are happening between the state and the indigenous people.…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Cultural Dilemma of Native Americans
    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Cultural Dilemma of Native Americans

    In this painting by George Catlin titled “Assinneboine Chief before and after Civilization” it shows a very proud Assinneboine Chief standing straight and proud. His clothing expresses his Indian culture as he is dressed in leggings and shirt made of mountain goat skin, and finished with a pictured robe of buffalo hide over his right shoulder. Moccasins covered his feet and his tribal headdress decorated his head allowing his long hair to blend with the feathers of his headdress. In his left hand is his long pipe which he would smoke with those with whom he would want to make peace. The background which is painted in a lighter hue then the opposite side of the painting reveals a dirt road which leads to the capitol building in Washington, suggesting that the Chief is traveling to there with peaceful intentions. The only green in the painting is the landscape surrounding the Capitol building. Could this be to show the wealth of those who lived there, to depict that the grass may be greener on the other side?…

    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Values and Morals through Native American Myths and Tales
    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Values and Morals through Native American Myths and Tales

    Throughout all forms of Native American tales and myths we see many values and aspects portrayed by the Native American people. In the myths that are read, the reader can easily pick off and single off values that the Native American people truly saw were thoroughly important in their time and society. The Native American people believed in many aspects which were usually considered important values for people to possess. The thing about Native American myths and tales that is found astonishing is the fact that these stories are most likely improbable but regardless of that, these stories still depict great human qualities that everyone should have. Native American myths capture the culture and values of the society in which it was produced with the morals involving love and friendship, the relationship between humans and animals and trust and loyalty.…

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Peoplehood Model
    • 1604 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Peoplehood Model

    Cited: "CEREMONIES OF THE CHEROKEE." CEREMONIES OF THE CHEROKEE. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.…

    • 1604 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Navajo Indians
    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Navajo Indians

    References: Csordas , T. (1999). Rituals healing and the politics of identity and contemporary Navajo society. American Ethnologist, 26(1), 1-11.…

    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    American Indian Smithsonian Museum
    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages

    American Indian Smithsonian Museum

    The second floor of National Museum of the American Indian contains many interesting exhibits that tell stories of American Indians, such as the livelihood of Native Americans in the present time and the culture of American Indians. There are many items that are related to American Indians’ lives in those exhibits. However, the author of this essay is interested in The American Indian which is the name of an oil painting that has been depicted in one of those exhibits, Our Live. This oil painting was painted on linen in 1970 by Fritz Scholder who was the renowned Native American artist of the 20th century. The painting depicts an American Indian man who beautifies his long black hair with a feather and holds a pipe tomahawk in front of the yellow and brown background. Additionally, the man covers the American flag over his body.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More