trying to find my path

[Cresa]

I have taken two of the quizes mentioned on here. But I am still curious... I love the native american culture but do they accept outside people. I have seen four hawks and one of then was actually at the window of where I use to live at and he looked right at me. I have a red tail hawk feather safely put away but I am trying to find it. I also have dreamt a lot of wolves especially a black timberwolf. What does that mean? I have tears in my eyes when I hear a wolf cry.

Cresa

[juliaki]

Most Native American tribes won't accept someone to "join up" just because someone says that they feel drawn to things that are often associated with Native American tribes (i.e., animals that are found in the wild in North America). I'd first start by assessing what it is about the culture that you love. Do you enjoy the food? (Personally when I saw what my Tlingit hosts up in Alaska back in the 1990s were eating, I was very glad to be an outsider! I did eat some of the raw halibut, but that was as far as I could go.) Do you enjoy the language? (I personally find the Diné language to be fascinating from a historical perspective, but I just don't seem to have the skills to pronounce some of their consonant-laden words.) Do you enjoy the regalia? (Some of it is less comfortable than others!) Do you enjoy the drums of powwows? (And is that northern drum or southern drum, eastern or plains?)

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as "Native American culture" any more than there is "Asian culture" or "White people culture". Every tribe has its own distinct and unique culture that can be honored...but lumping them all together is insulting to many tribes. After all, some fought wars with each other throughout history. Some of the names for one tribe or another are "less than friendly."

If you want to start exploring connections to Native American groups, see which one you feel most drawn to and start learning the language. Contact their council of elders or organizing body and ask if there are any volunteer opportunities that you can help... maybe tutoring in afterschool programs at the local schools or in job training or providing child care services. Don't be surprised if you don't find the "Native American spiritual community" that you might imagine...most Native Americans these days are Christian. If you want to experience the "native buzz", attend local powwows and cultural information days. See if their local tribal centers offer classes in cultural affairs.

As far as the presence of hawks in your life goes, hawks aren't strictly a Native American omen, and even within the Native communities they can mean very different things from tribe to tribe. I'm often accompanied by hawks (even having one nest in my backyard). When I see one, it is an important symbol to me, but what it means to me likely will not be the same for another person.

As far as wolves go, the howl of a wolf is often considered to be an archetypal sound of lonliness. Perhaps the reason you cry is because you're lonely and that reaffirms that lonliness does exist?

[Darkdale]

I have taken two of the quizes mentioned on here. But I am still curious... I love the native american culture but do they accept outside people. I have seen four hawks and one of then was actually at the window of where I use to live at and he looked right at me. I have a red tail hawk feather safely put away but I am trying to find it. I also have dreamt a lot of wolves especially a black timberwolf. What does that mean? I have tears in my eyes when I hear a wolf cry.

Cresa

I know a lot of descendants of Northern Europeans who felt drawn to the Native American traditions, but who couldn't really assimilate with the culture. They all eventually came to Asatru, which while being somewhat different, offers a native religion with many of the same values.

[Cresa]

thank you both for clearing that up....as for me I am asian...well Okinawan. And for many centuries people have been trying to figure out our roots. Cause they know we are asian but not related to chinese nor to japanese nor to koreans nor to any of the other asian cultures. When my mother and her sister walk around in a store up in Pendleton, Oregon they get mistaken for being native because Hogan (okinawan language) doesn't sound like anything like chinese, japanese, or korean.

[semi]

Not all native Americans will exclude you. Some are willing to accept people of non-Native blood. Explore and find them. They're out there.

[Agaliha]

Well I have been interested in learning more about my ancestor's beliefs and traditions (Cherokee)-- I am half Cherokee from my dad's side. I've spent a lot of time looking for any drop of info about their practice and found little. That is my biggest roadblock-- the lack of information. And there are no Cherokee reservations were I live. So I find myself at a standstill. I want to incorporate things into my path, yet I don't know how exactly.

There is a thread on here about NA traditons and such, you might what to skim though it:
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=89442 "Native American sharing thread..."

Also try looking into Totems, it's possible that the wolf and hawk are one of yours.
For links about how to find them and about them check this thread out:
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=110425

Hawks and wolves are also in other cultures. Celtic, Kemetic, Norse...so there is a possiblity that there is a wider meaning to them in your life than NA paths.

I have been focusing on one Tribe, the tribe of my ancestors as that is what I feel is more important for me. Maybe narrowing it down to a one or a few Tribes for you would make it easier, as not all NA beliefs and traditions and rituals are universal among the NA--- they all have differences. From my research the Navaho seem to have the most info out there. The rest are iffy. At times I wish my grandfather was not adopted off the reservation...that way he would have taught my father the Cherokee ways...and then he could tell me them...but it is what it is.

Just keep reading, researching and learning. You never know...you might find something totally different that just clicks with you. :steppy:

[dreamweaver]

In my belief the black wolf symbolises First Man.Hawks,like eagles can also be messengers as they are from the same family of birds.

My path to me is the accumulation of the neverending quest for knowledge we all have.It is everything I encounter.Sacred beliefs,parents,schools,family,friends,acquaintences and the knowledge we gain in everyday life, through our experiences shapes it into what it eventually will become.There can be many twist and turns as well as forks in the road as we are always changing in one way or another.It is only natural to find this.Each path is as unique as the one who walks it as it is their's alone to travel.

You have your whole life ahead of you.Relax and enjoy the many wonderous things Mother Nature has been so kind as to have placed before you.She is a wonderful teacher and has far more experience than any of us.

There is nothing wrong with being plain and simply you.I have been that way for almost fifty years now.