Holidays and Festivals

The Morning Dance-
Takes place every spring by the Ojibwa of southern Ontario. It is also known as the Wabeno. All fast and cleanse themselves before, then a male elder plays a drum and leads the dance in a clearing around the selected tree. They dance deom sawn to noon. As each dancer passes the tree, the drummer signals the dancer to touch the trunk to give thanks. Around midday, a huge feast of meat and fish is served


The Sun Dance-
This is a summer festival that takes place in the Great Plains. It lasts a period of eight to sixteen days. The circle is an important symbol and acknowledges and respects the sun as the giver of life. Participants dance for a long time around a central cottonwood pole, or "tree of the universe". Dancers embed sharp wooden hooks deep into their chest, then connect the skewers to leather thongs that trail from the top of the cottonwood pole.As they dance around, they pull back on the thongs and tear their flesh. They preform this ritual because they believe that the bosy is the only thing they control and can offer as a sacrifice to the Creator. During the Sun Dance, prayers are said for all peoples and vows are made to the Great Spirit.