Melungeon-L Archives

Archiver > Melungeon > 2001-02 > 0981036089


From: "Elizabeth G. Brett" <>
Subject: RE: [Melungeon] Inquiry
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 09:01:29 -0500


Okay...for those who no NOTHING about Native culture...and could make the same mistake I made...

If you are ever invited to smoke a traditional pipe at a ceremony...it may taste "herby"...Do not say... "Is this marijuana?"

It is not.

Feel free to laugh...I've embarrassed myself worse...Imagine an 8 year old girl handing it to me with her Great grandmother sitting there.

Got a few really funny looks...

Elizabeth

-----Original Message-----
From:Joe Showalter [SMTP:]
Sent:Thursday, February 01, 2001 3:53 AM
To:
Subject:Re: [Melungeon] Inquiry

Tabitha and Clint already answered this question very well, I'm not going to
try to improve on it. I would only like to emphasize respect, as Tabitha
and Clint pointed out, show respect for everyone especially elders. If you
get invited to Sweat Lodge be sure and thank the person who invited you (and
lay down tobacco) it's a great honor. The tribes here are Odawa and Ojibwa
and I am neither so I am very grateful for an invitation. I always tie up
tobacco in yellow, red, black and white cotton cloth to show my gratitude
and respect for person that invited me as well as the four directions. If
you have never participated in a ceremony, but have read all about it, don't
pretend to know what's going on. Be like a child and learn; watch and
listen. Of course when the door of the Sweat Lodge closes you won't have
the ability to see anything let alone watch it, but there will be a lot to
listen to. One last thing; if you have an appointment or you made
arrangements for right after the Sweat, don't even bother going. It ain't
like church, starts at 9:30 over at 11:00 and dinner at 12:30. Things
happen as they should, and everything happens for a reason.

Until just about six months ago, white folks weren't allowed to go to Sweats
here. Now they can go if they are in the family, like a husband or wife. I
like the change of rules because my two best friends are married to each
other and Ben is not Indian and Silvia is. She is Mexican Indian and I was
going to tell you what tribe but now I can't remember. Let me tell you,
it's not the legs that are the first to go. Anyway Ben was set to go to his
first Sweat and was pretty excited but the night before, Silvia started her
period early. But that was ok, because Ben could still go with me. I
started out that morning, I have to travel 50 miles to Ben and Silvia's
house and then another 30 miles to the Sweat Lodge, and I blew a radiator
hose less than a mile from home. Ben didn't get to go. Things happen as
they should, and everything happens for a reason. We don't always know why.

Peace --Joe

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger <>
To: <>
Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 11:26 PM
Subject: [Melungeon] Inquiry


>For you knowledgeable American Indian types on the list. Could you please
tell me in today's world what are: Pow Wow's, Sweat Lodges, how are you
named an Indian name, and how, by who? Can outsiders attend any of their
functions without being shunned? Do
>you have to have a sponsor?
>
>Roger
>
>
>==== Melungeon Mailing List ====
>The Melungeon Registry
>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/5649/melunreg.htm
>
>



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