As a shaman myself, I get asked this question frequently. The term “shaman” refers to a spiritual practitioner in various indigenous cultures around the world, including those of Native Americans. In First Nation traditions, shamans are known by different names, such as medicine men or women, holy men or women, or spiritual leaders. Some shamans are elders within their community, but this is not always the case.

Real shamans have the ability to communicate with the good spirits and the supernatural world, and to use their knowledge and abilities to heal individuals and communities, perform rituals, offer guidance, and maintain balance and harmony in the natural world. Shamans may also use plants, herbs, and other natural substances in their healing practices. A shaman typically works on behalf of his or her community, not against it. There are some who practice dark traditions that do not align with Creator’s purposes and their work often causes chaos and danger for those which it affects. Shamans who belong to Creator do not act in such a way but are sometimes called upon to help rid the community of a known evil shaman or bad spirits.

The term “shaman” has been appropriated and misused by some individuals and groups in the New Age movement, who may claim to be shamans without having a legitimate connection to any indigenous culture or community. This kind of appropriation is disrespectful and harmful to the cultures and traditions from which the term originated.

What is a shaman’s connection to the spirit world?

As I mentioned above, shamans have a deep connection to the natural world and the spirit realm. We believe that everything in the universe is connected and that the spiritual realm can influence the physical world.

Shamans often enter into a trance state through various means, such as chanting, drumming, or dancing. In this altered state of consciousness, a shaman is sometimes able to communicate with the Creator’s spirit world and receive guidance and wisdom from ancestral spirits and other entities.

A shaman’s connection to the spirit world also allows us to perform spiritual healing and ceremonial practices, such as smudging or sweat lodges. Through our connection to the spiritual realm, we can gain insight into the causes of illness or imbalance in an individual and work to help restore harmony and balance to a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual selves.

The specifics of shamanic practices and beliefs vary greatly among different Native American cultures and traditions.

The term “shaman” is actually a Siberian word, and some Native American communities may use different terms to refer to their spiritual leaders and healers. Additionally, the practice of shamanism in Native American cultures has often been suppressed and stigmatized by colonialism and Western cultural domination.

A Native American storyteller is a man or woman who holds the responsibility of preserving and sharing the history, traditions, myths, and legends of our culture through oral storytelling. In First Nations cultures, stories are not just a form of entertainment but are considered a valuable educational and spiritual tool.

We use our skills to pass on knowledge, wisdom, and values from one generation to another. Some storytellers incorporate music, songs, and dance into their performances to make the stories more engaging and memorable.

Traditionally, the role of a storyteller is often held by an elder or other respected member of the community who has a deep understanding of the culture’s history and traditions. Today, there are many Native American storytellers who continue to carry on this important tradition and share their stories with others, both within their own communities and beyond.
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“Two Spirit” is a term used in some Native American cultures to describe a person who has both a male and female spirit. This term is used to recognize individuals who embody qualities or characteristics traditionally associated with both genders and who may engage in activities or practices that are typically associated with one gender or the other.

In many Native American cultures, two spirit individuals are considered as having special spiritual gifts and are often respected and honored for their unique abilities. They are sometimes referred to as “berdaches” or “winktes” depending on the tribe, and are often seen as healers, visionaries, and leaders within their communities. I wish to point out that these two terms (“berdaches” and “winktes”) are used by some in a disparaging way.
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