"Native
American isn't blood; it is what is in the heart.
The love
for the land.
The respect for it, those who inhabit it; and the respect and
acknowledgement
of the spirits and the elders. That is what it is to be
indian."
At Sully's advice and under the tutelage of Cloud Dancing,
Matthew undertakes a vision quest in Rite of Passage
to find his 'path'. He will spend 4 days and nights without
food and water in search of the inner truth and at the
end he will be 'a man'. Return Engagment Cloud Dancing
is sent on a vision quest by "the Spirits' to help him
try to deal with the death of his son. Throughout the
series, the 'vision quest' was presented as a time of
spiritual healing and enlightenment. Today, because of
the efforts of men lik Robert Vetter, white men are allowed
to experience this sacred custom with the cooperation
of certain Native American tribes.
I
used to think of spirituality as just a solo adventure,"
says Robert Vetter, " But spirituality infuses every
aspect of native life. Now I can see the sacred in all
things." - Read More
Modern
Sweatlodges
Seeking
spirit guidance through the sweatlodge ceremony was
a familiar theme on Dr. Quinn. In Return Engagment
Michaela helps Sully fashion a sweatlodge when they
realize something is 'out of balance' The beginning
of Matthew's vision quest begins with a sweat lodge
and it is this same native american ceremony that ultimately
heals Michaela after Washita.
Today, the sweatlodge is still found in native american culture as a means
of finding one's 'path' and spirit guidance. Read
more.
