Sacred Journey

Integrated Seminar 101

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 included in Frey's Carry Forth the Stories, along with When We Walk the Halls, Integrative Learning and Rites of Passage.  Also consider any supplemental videos and readings.

• Integrative Learning - (in "When We Walk the Halls" and in the "Tin Shed/Sweat House Approach" in Carry Forth the Stories)

  • What is the importance of the Huckleberry Story?

  • Rephrase "integrative thinking" in your own words, and use illustrative examples (from  "When We Walk the Halls").

  • Distinguish the humanities from the social sciences, using an illustrative example, and what are advantages of each approach?

• Schitsu'umsh (Coeur d'Alene) and Apsáalooke (Crow)

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

  • Identify and discuss the key "bones," i.e., the miyp and ontological principles 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" - Súumesh (Coeur d'Alene), Baaxpée (Crow).  "Efficacy" - from an indigenous perspective, how does it work?  Consider the parallels with the act of storytelling, the power of "words," and the notion, "stories make the world." 

  • What is the significance of Tom Yellowtail's Rock Medicine Wheel?

  • How did Burnt Face, a Medicine Wheel and an Indian Name help chart the healing journey of your instructor?

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

• Key Schitsu'umsh (Coeur d'Alene) and Apsáalooke (Crow) Terms and Concepts:

  • Schitsu'umsh (Coeur d'Alene - "the ones that were found here")  - Apsáalooke (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") 

  • Animal-First Peoples - Titwa-tityá-ya (Nez Perce)

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

  • Teachings - Miyp (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")

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

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

  • Snqhepiwes -(Coeur d'Alene "where the spirit lives, from horizon to horizon") spirit endowed world

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

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

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

  • Snukwnkhwtskhwts'mi'ls (Coeur d'Alene - "fellow sufferer") or empathy

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