Sacred Journey into Religious Communities

Integrated Seminar 101  Fall 2012

Study Guide for the First Exam

(tentative, corresponding to what we are able to cover during class sessions)

The specific study guide questions for the First Exam are based upon the materials covered during class presentations and in the following readings: Frey's Huckleberries pp. 1-133, 146-49; Frey's Stories That Make the World  pp. 5-37 (Introduction, "Four Smokes" and "Couple Befriended by the Moon"), pp. 39-45, 52-61 and 63-75, (Text: Themes, Motifs, "Coyote and Swallowing Monster" and "Coyote and the Rock"), pp. 141-158 and 162-167 (Texture and "Coyote and the Green Spot"), pp. 169-177 and 179-182 (Context and "Elk and the Young Man"), pp. 214-216,  along with Rites of Passage and Spiritual Values of Indigenous Peoples.  Also consider any supplemental videos and readings.

• Methods for Interpreting Religious Texts

  • What are the key elements of the "Huckleberrying and Tin Shed" methodology?

  • What are the similarities and differences between a social science, humanities and indigeneity approach?     What is the importance of each and how can they be integrated, each supporting the other?

  • Define a "symbol" and "story text," offering your own examples for each.

  • Be able to apply the "Huckleberry and Tin Shed" method of an interpretation to a specific "religious text."

  • What are the advantages, as well as limitations of the "Huckleberry and Tin Shed" method?

  • How are we to be able to travel the many paths in life and address the "mutually exclusive" in our lives?  What are some of the implications of a "wagon wheel" view of and for the world?

• Coeur d'Alene and Crow

  • Who are the First Peoples/Animal Peoples and what did they do, and continue to do?   What "gifts" did they provide?

  • Identify and discuss the key spiritual teachings of the Indigenous Peoples of North America?

  • What are the spiritual goals in life?

  • What are the means of obtaining those spiritual goals?

  • What are the key components and functions of a rite of passage?

  • Discuss from an indigenous point of view the efficacy of "medicine" - Suumesh (Coeur d'Alene), Baaxpée (Crow).  How is it understood to work?  Consider the parallels with the act of storytelling, the power of "words," and the notion, "stories make the world."  Also consider the example of Billy Yellow and the Navajo Blessing Way Ceremony.   What does it mean to "swirl"?  What is an heirophany?

  • How did Burnt Face and an Indian Name help chart a healing journey?

  • Compare similarities and differences between Primal-Indigenous Religion, as exemplified by the Schitsu'umsh (Coeur d'Alene) and Apsaalooke (Crow), and your own spiritual or philosophical tradition.

  • Why start our year-long journey into the world's religions with Primal-Indigenous Religion?

  • From the a Coeur d'Alene and Crow, or any other Indigenous perspective, how would you respond to the question, "why do bad things sometimes happen to good people?"

• Key Coeur d'Alene and Crow Indian Terms and Concepts:

  • Schitsu'umsh (Coeur d'Alene - "the ones that were found here")  - Apsaalooke (Crow - "children of the large beaked bird")

  • The Creator - Amotqn (Coeur d'Alene - "one who sits on top of the mountain") - Akbaatatdia (Crow - "the one who has made everything") 

  • Soul - Inua ("soul") and the Story of Sedna  (Inuit - "its owner") 

  • First Peoples - Animal Peoples

  • Smiyiw and Chillwidst (Coeur d'Alene - "Coyote" and "Salmon")

  • Teachings - Mi'yep (Coeur d'Alene - "teachings from all things")

  • Ashammaléaxia (Crow - "as driftwood lodges")

  • Unshat-qn (Coeur d'Alene - "equality") and Pute-nts (Coeur d'Alene - "respect")

  • Té k'e (Nez Perce - "to give and share [food] with others") and Ammaakée (Crow)- Ethic of Sharing

  • Medicine - Suumesh (Coeur d'Alene), Baaxpée (Crow) and the concept of medicine

  • Dasshússua (Crow - "breaking with the mouth") and diiawakaawik (Crow - "see you later")

  • Vision Quest, Sweat Lodge, and Sundance - Ashkísshe (Crow - "imitation lodge") - See Sundance Images

  • Baaeechichiwaau (Crow - "re-telling one's own") act of storytelling

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