Our people celebrate many things throughout the year and throughout their lives on Earth.

The birth of children is one of the first celebrated events that people take part in. Each family celebrates differently when blessed with new life. In some families the grandmother greets each child and is present at the birth. After about four months the child is welcomed by all other family members at a gathering held by the parents. At this time the child’s life is usually blessed by prayers offered by the family. A pipe carrier sends these prayers to God and his helpers to watch over the child. Some children are given spirit names at this time but most receive their names later in life. A spirit name is the name you are known by in the spirit world. It’s like your baptismal name that you are given when blessed by someone walking a holy path.

There are four stages of life that are acknowledged in a person’s life starting with this blessing at birth. This stage of life sits to the south on the medicine wheel. It is the stage where the child is still pure and connected to the other side. Being pure they are still visited by the good spirits and will share stories that reveal truths about life that might surprise some. It is what is known as childhood on the medicine wheel. A child is left to explore the world and is only limited by the rules set in place for safety. Children are only taught things if they show an interest in it. They are encouraged to be individuals and not expected to be like anyone else. If they show an interest and show admiration for certain people within the family circle these people should take this cue and work toward helping the child grow. When children are about seven they were separated with the boys and girls being thought by the aunts and uncles. The skills thought to the children depended on their interests. They were never forced to do anything they were not comfortable with.

At puberty girls went trough another celebration at which time all the female relatives gathered to honor her as she entered womanhood. This was a celebration as well as marking a new beginning on the medicine wheel of life. The female relatives were responsible for guiding this young woman in all aspects of life. This included teaching her how to carry her self as a woman. She was instructed on how to behave during her moon time and to avoid ceremonies and gathering at this time. She was guided as she went through the change into adulthood.

Boys also marked this time as their beginning toward manhood. They were taken by their uncles and thought the many skills they would utilize to survive. As a man they were to carry themselves in an honorable way and stay on the red road back toward the creator, God. They were encouraged to focus on their spiritual side and some would go on a vision quest before reaching manhood. Manhood was not measured by the passage of time but rather by the actions of the individual. Some people proved themselves to be men sooner then others by showing their abilities as hunters and good providers. Others would earn honors in battle. Most were considered men when they took part in the Sundance.

These two would pass through adolescences which would sit on the west side of the medicine wheel.

Adulthood lay at the top to the north on the medicine wheel and is passed without much celebration but was marked by the turn toward old age signaled by the change in the body. This time is spent looking forward and backward. These ones are the ones that quietly keep it all going. They don’t get nor expect any recognition for helping the ones they love. They teach the young and care for the elderly. They provide the physical necessities of life.