Sioux

Funeral Practices

Traditional Funeral Practices

           Generally, it was the common belief amongst Siouan communities that after death the spirit of the deceased journeys to its next resting place. This spiritual journey was believed start once funeral proceedings were complete and was thought to span over the course of four days. Mourning family and friends would take part in a 4 day wake to accompany the spirit to its resting place.^[1] In the past, bodies were not embalmed and commonly put up on a burial tree or a burial scaffold for one year before a ground burial. A platform to rest the body was put up on trees or, alternately, placed on four upright poles to elevate the body from the ground.^[2] The bodies would be securely wrapped in blankets and cloths, along with many of the deceased personal belongings and were always placed with their head pointed towards the south. Mourning individuals would speak to the body and offer food as if it were still alive.^[3] This practice, along with the Ghost Dance helped individuals mourn and connect the spirits of the deceased with those who were alive.^[4] The only time a body was buried in the ground right after their death was if the individual was murdered. The deceased would be placed in the ground with their heads towards the south, while faced down along with a piece of fat in their mouth.^[5]

Contemporary Funeral Practices

           According to Pat Janis, who runs the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Burial Assistance Program, funeral practices of Sioux communities today are often a mix of Native American Traditions and contemporary Christian practices. While tree burials and scaffold burials aren’t practiced anymore, it is also now rare to see families observe a four day wake period, instead, opting for one or two day wake periods. Added to the contemporary funeral practices, it is common to see prayers conducted by a Sioux medicine man along with traditional songs, often sung along with a group of drums. One member of the family is also required to be present next to the body at all times until the burial.^[1]

Ojibwe

Funeral Practices

           In Chippewa tradition, the main task after ones death is to bury the body as soon as possible. In the case of someone’s death, burial proceeding can occur the very next day or even on the day of. This was important because it allowed the spirit of the dead to journey to its place of joy and happiness. The land of happiness where the dead reside is called Gaagige Minawaanigozigiwining.^[6] This was a journey that took four days. If burial preparations could not be completed the day of, guests and medicine men were required to stay with the deceased and the family in order to help mourn, while also singing songs and dancing throughout the night. Once preparation were complete, the body would be placed in an inflexed position with their knees towards their chest.^[7] Over the course of the four days it take the spirit to journey to its place of joy, it is customary to have food kept alongside the grave at all times. Added to that, a fire is set when the sunsets and is kept going throughout the night. The food was to help feed the spirit over the course of the journey, while the smoke from the fire was a directional guide. Once the four day journey is over, a feast is held, which is led by the chief medicine man. At the feast, it is the chief medicine man’s duty to give away certain belongings of the deceased. Those who were chosen to receive items from the decease are required to trade in a new piece of clothing, all of which would be turned into a bundle. The bundle of new cloths and a dish is then given to the closest relative. The recipient of the bundle must then find individuals that he or she believes to be worthy, and pass on one of the new pieces of clothing.^[8]

Contemporary Funeral Practices

           According to Lee Staples, an Ojibwe spiritual leader from the Mil Lacs Indian Reservation, present day practices follow the same spiritual beliefs and remain fairly similar.  Once an individual dies, a fire is lit in the home of the family who are also expected to continuously maintain the fire for four days. Over the four days, food is also offered to the spirit. Added to food offerings, tobacco is also offered as it is considered one of four sacred medicines traditionally used by Ojibwe communities. On the last night of food offerings, a feast is also held by the relatives which ends with a final smoke of the offering tobacco or the tobacco being thrown in the fire. Although conventional caskets are mainly used in today’s communities, birch bark fire matches are buried along with the body as a tool to help light fires to guide their journey to Gaagige Minawaanigozigiwining.^[6]