There are many so called traditions like this among Neshnabek and many follow false teachings, lies from the other side, if you will. I remember what the Old People used to tell us, prove something first before just blindly following a teaching, or a Teacher. There are many who are hungry for recognition and want people to follow them, as though they are something, as though they are the only ones with the truth. I sat through many talks givine by various elders as I grew up and was always encouraged to follow God/Mamogosnan, not man!
I shall post an old story here later this week when I finish it, detailing the early years of seekings, fastings, and vision questings among my people, when they sought the God. Some sought power(s) though, and not the God, and were thus misled by something contrary out there that waits for the unsuspecting. The Old People used to tell us not every spirit that comes around has your best interests at heart, but there are many fallen ones who come to attempt to gain respect from the living. They fell in the past and somehow used to Occult manners and Ways to stay alive in ways that were contrary to what was taught and believed. We don’t worship the dead and were always encouraged not to even look back when we left the grave site of a loved one whom we had just buried. We never went to those graves to worsjip, or honor the dead. We had sacred fires for that, wherein we offered food and drink in their memory, but even that had to be done in accordance with the truth of our ways, and administered by a qualified person who knew our Ways.
Yes, there are many false paths, but I am convinced that Jesus is the One, the Only One to follow after all these years of searching. I am convinced He is the One, the one true Messiah for us, the Red Race too.
Nin se Neaseno.
Énagdewendemyan 