Indigenous Spirituality
California Gov. Newsom backs dam removal projects to boost salmon. Critics say that’s not enough
By Adam Beam — February 1, 2024
EUREKA, Calif. (AP) — Newsom also pledged to continue to work with native tribes, who often refer to the rivers where salmon live as their church.
Great Basin tribes want Bahsahwahbee massacre site in Nevada named national monument
By Brittany Peterson — January 24, 2024
ELY, Nev. (AP) — Bahsahwahbee — Shoshoni for “Sacred Water Valley” — is where the spirits of their dead live on in the trees growing among the open graves, the final resting place of ancestors who remained where they were slain.
How the word ‘voodoo’ became a racial slur
By Danielle N. Boaz — January 24, 2024
(The Conversation) — Shows, movies and day-to-day language promote myths about voodoo that reinforce more than a century of stereotypes and discrimination, writes a scholar of Africana studies.
In South America’s ‘Lithium Triangle,’ Indigenous people defend sacred sites
By Eduardo Campos Lima — January 18, 2024
(RNS) — The Indigenous population sees lithium extraction as a disruption of their ancient relationship with the mountains that surround their homes, which they hold as sacred.
Indigenous faithful and Christians work with environmentalists to conserve India’s sacred forests
By Deepa Bharath — January 17, 2024
SHILLONG, India (AP) — Mawphlang is one of more than 125 sacred forests in Meghalaya, and arguably the most famous one
Native Hawaiian salt makers combat climate change and pollution to protect a sacred tradition
By Deepa Bharath — January 3, 2024
HANAPEPE, Hawaii (AP) — Over the past decade, this tract has been under constant threat due to development, pollution from a neighboring airfield, sand erosion from vehicle traffic and littering by visitors to the adjacent beach.
A volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island is sacred to spiritual practitioners and treasured by astronomers
By Audrey Mcavoy and Deepa Bharath — December 13, 2023
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (AP) — Mauna Kea is a dormant 14,000-foot shield volcano. In Native Hawaiian lore, it is the first-born son of the sky father and earth mother.
Oklahoma Christian leaders seek to join suit opposing state-funded Catholic school
By Fiona André — November 22, 2023
(RNS) — St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School could become the country’s first publicly funded religious charter school.
In America, national parks are more than scenic − they’re sacred. But they were created at a cost to Native Americans
By Thomas S. Bremer — November 22, 2023
(The Conversation) — The idea of Manifest Destiny inspired Americans to push west, leading to the creation of the first national parks. But those beliefs spelled removal for many Native American groups.
Judge rules against tribes in fight over Nevada lithium mine they say is near sacred massacre site
By Scott Sonner — November 17, 2023
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The judge's new ruling is the latest in a series that have turned back legal challenges to the mine on a variety of fronts.
The urgent need for a truth and healing commission on Indian boarding schools
By Bridget Moix — November 15, 2023
(RNS) — As a Quaker, I find it painful to face our history of participation in these schools. But we cannot live our faith with integrity if we do not.
Pope Francis to join other clergy at first ‘Faith Pavilion’ at climate summit
By Adelle M. Banks — November 9, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This demonstrates the significance of the interfaith movement in helping to tackle the climate emergency,’ said one faith leader about the pavilion.
Bison are sacred to Native Americans − but each tribe has its own special relationship to them
By Rosalyn R. LaPier — November 2, 2023
(The Conversation) — Efforts are being made to develop the capacity of Native tribes to manage bison and bison habitats. An Indigenous scholar explains their sacred significance.
With flowers, altars and candles, Mexicans are honoring deceased relatives on the Day of the Dead
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — November 2, 2023
SANTA MARÍA ATZOMPA, México (AP) — On this date, Oaxacans don’t honor death but rather their ancestors, said the local secretary of culture, Victor Cata.
US government agrees to help restore sacred Native American site destroyed for Oregon road project
By Claire Rush — October 9, 2023
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a settlement filed with the high court Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal agencies agreed to replant trees and aid in efforts to rebuild an altar at a site along U.S. Highway 26.
