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Native American culture is diverse and must be examined regionally and tribally. Spirituality is a commonality, expressed through ceremonies honoring deities or nature. Conservation of natural resources is important, with animals used for food also used for other purposes.
Defining Native American culture is a difficult task not necessarily because the beliefs and customs that characterize this historical population are difficult to understand, but mainly because Native Americans are an incredibly diverse population. Just as defining America would require examinations of the culture of the entire country, Native American culture must examine different regions and tribes. In general, most Native American cultures are very spiritual and group-oriented in nature.
Because of the great diversity among Native Americans, describing their cultures must rely on explaining commonalities rather than focusing on specific traditions that may not exist in every tribe. It is probably safe to say that spirituality is uniform among all these peoples. Spirituality isn’t always religion, and just as religions differ among people around the world, religious beliefs within Native Americans also vary greatly.
This spiritual nature is most often expressed through ceremonies that pay homage to a deity or aspect of nature. Some tribes believe in a specific god, while others, in a more Greek fashion, describe different spirits as beings within their belief systems. Most religious ceremonies center around appreciation for the deeds this god or being is believed to have performed for the tribe or people. Some ceremonies are similar to those of Western religions, while others may seem eccentric to outsiders.
There is also a nature motif within Native American culture. Many average citizens of America don’t think too much about the world they live in, often taking for granted the many resources that are being exploited so that people can enjoy their way of life. This is very much at odds with themes of Native American culture as most Native Americans are strong believers in the cultivation and conservation of natural resources.
One way Native American culture embraces nature is through the use of all resources. Typically, animals that are used for food are also used for many other things. Rarely is any part of an animal wasted, largely due to the belief that, in order to take life, it should at least be used and not killed in vain.
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