have, there is much more that researchers don't know about because a considerable amount of information has either been lost or has been

impossible to obtain. But from what we already know, historians can

conclude there are common characteristics that seem to be shared by all of

the Native Americans. I will also include the creation myth of the Osage

Indians and the afterlife beliefs of the Lakota Sioux. Although there are many

points of contrast, the beliefs of Native Americans are distinguished by some

common characteristics (p.54 Nigosian). Some of these characteristics are

that they all seem to believe in the existence of a high god or vital force along

woods and ponds, and the spirits of the dead that come to inflict pain,

communicate directly with the Great Spirit. They follow a strict ethical code and believe that peyote will help them understand their lives more fully. I greatly admire the idea of reflecting on one's own situation in order to live a tranquil, honest life. The religion was formed as a way of unifying Native Americans and helping them accept and deal with the situation they are faced with. Peyotism has proven largely successful in achieving these goals, making it a wonderful thing for the indigenous people of this country.

would have had an entirely different set of beliefs. However, they did have

with lesser gods and spirits and that certain individuals possess sacred power

in charge of tending to the fire and a cedar chief, who creates the cedar smoke throughout the night. The use of prayer, song, drumming and the joint eating of the peyote at various times throughout the night as well as the drinking of cold water at midnight and early morning are all key elements to the ritual. These practices are all believe to be forms of communication with the Great Spirit. During prayer, there is a staff passed around the meeting to all male participants. The staff is considered male, so females are not allowed to pray with the staff. It is believed that when you pray with the staff, your thoughts travel up it and messages from the Great Spirit travel back down. The drums also aid in the communication. It is said that when a man drums, you can "read his mind". Everyone also takes part in the peyote songs. Typically, the songs do not contain words, but whether or not to add words is up to the singer. The Church members believe that with peyote to guide you!

To look at Native American Indian's belief system we also have to accept their rituals and sacred tools use to communicate with the Gods.

things together, which leads to the basic goal of staying in "harmony with all

idea of this religion in that other aspects of the four souls are invested into

ghost in order to haunt others and to entice them to join the soul in haunting

strong similarities that were equally important to each tribe. It was very apparent that they loved the earth and that played a key role in terms of creation and an afterlife.

that the spirits they had for different aspects of nature and their environment

Some common words found in the essay are:
Native Americans, American Church, United Peyote, Osage Indians, Tacanku Southward, David Aberle, Aberle5 Containing, Native American, Peyote Road, Fire Chief, native americans, native american, native american church, american church, crow dog, peyote religion, peyote meetings, feather fan, lakota sioux, p62 nigosian, ethical code, nigosian native americans, native americans believed, mary crow dog, feeling personal significance,
Approximate Word count = 2922
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)