Sacred Stories
Who is Sedna?
She is the goddess of the sea and marine animals
What two things do they practice?
Animism & Shamanism
What happens when a baby is born?
A special ritual
What are holy places seen as?
Important landmarks and places of stories and navigation
What animal marked land?
A raven-human hybrid
What is the most famous story of Sedna?
She refused to marry any hunter in her village
What did Inuit realize about the natural world?
They are one with it and not apart from it
What are the Shamans role?
Connecting the human world with the sprit world, especially when rules are broken
What are THREE holy places?
Mountains, hunting grounds, islands, coastlines and sea ice.
How was the world described at the start in the creation story?
As dark and filled with water
Who was Sedna tricked by?
A bird-spirit disguised as a man who wanted to marry her
Who is Sila?
The personification of the air, sky, weather, and life force
How do Inuit view time?
As a cycle, not a straight line
What can we do to respect and honor these places?
Don’t leave traces, disturb graves, and must seek permission to enter.
What is the Inuit calendar based on?
Moon cycles
What did Sednas father do out of fear?
He pushed her off the kayak and cut off her fingers when she held on
What are the Moon and Sun to each other?
Siblings
What do they do to mark important times?
Have special ceremonies
Why are hunting grounds essential areas?
They have spiritual importance for survival
How do Shamans enter their trance?
Through drumming and singing
What does it mean when a hunter fails to catch food?
Sedna is angry and keeps all the animals at the bottom of the sea
What is the role of Taboos
Maintain balance with nature
What do they mean when they say “life is a never ending story”?
A persons soul can be born again in a family member
Which hunting grounds are the most essential?
Why don’t they hunt on sea ice anymore?
The environment has changed