I was inspired by the opening ceremonies Friday in Vancouver. What an amazing spectacle and event! Isn’t it amazing how much can be done with lighting and fabric. Ok, so there are a lot of other things involved. I also love the incorporation of the First Nation cultural elements into the ceremony.

Jack Poole, the Vancouver Olympic Committee Board Chairman, said “If it hadn’t been for the full support of the Four Host First Nations in our bid, we likely wouldn’t be talking about Vancouver 2010 today.” So of course the four Host First Nations — a group that represents the four bands whose traditional lands are home to the Vancouver Olympics — were asked to play a prominent part in the opening ceremony on Friday. And more inspiration will follow from that this week!

SO, in the custom of Tradition Tuesday, I researched wedding customs of the Four Host First Nation, or aboriginals of Canada. There are so many original tribes, and similar to the Native American’s of The United State, many traditions cross multiple groups. Here is just the tip of the tundra . . .

Marriage customs involved the groom arriving at the bride’s home at daybreak. He sat at the entrance to the house and was wrapped in a blanket with only his face exposed. The bride’s family ignored him and proceeded with their daily routine. This ritual continued for three days. On the third day, if the bride’s father approved of the match he invited the groom to breakfast. The groom’s father is informed and the wedding ceremony was planned.

Winter was the season for religious ceremonies and celebrations. Religious mediums or shamans performed several rites, including magic against enemies. Both men and women served as shamans, acting in the capacity of spiritual intermediaries and healers. Illness was attributed to wandering souls or to foreign intrusions by an evil spirit. The skill of the shaman depended on his or her ability to rid the sick person of the evil spirit. The shaman presided over periodic fasts that required the participant to abstain from sexual relations and to scrub him or herself with branches in a cleansing ritual. Guardian spirits were prominent and were acquired by individuals during this period of fasting.

Understanding the People

Most First Nations people believe there is a Great Spirit in the universe. This spirit is the source of all life and is embodied in everything. The earth is the Mother of all spirits. The First Nations traditions and culture are greatly influenced by nature.

Here are a few common wedding traditions:

Marriage Requirements
- Pipe Carrier (officiate) determines the responsibilities the couple must perform.
- The bride and groom choose four sponsors. Sponsors – Elders who are well respected and give marital and spiritual guidance to the couple throughout their lives.
- Everyone is invited by word of mouth.
- Bride’s family must make handmade gifts for guests. Gift depends on their talents.

Ceremony

- Ceremonies are preferably outside.
- Water is used as a symbol of purification and cleansing. The bride and groom have a ceremonial washing of hands to wash away past evils and memories of past loves.
- Their commitment is to the Creator. There’s no divorce; if they separate they are still one in the eyes of the Great Spirit.
- Each person makes a declaration they choose to be known as husband and wife, then they smoke from the pipe.
- At the ceremony, the sponsors make a commitment to help the couple.

Wedding Attire

- The bride and groom add rabbit leathers and personal adornments to their traditional skinned attire.
- The bride will wash herself in a body of water (lake, river, ocean, or pond) the morning of her union in order to be blessed by the spirit of the Earth.

Feasting/ Dance

- The food feasted on is indigenous to the location; squirrel, venison, bison, beaver, squash, beans, maize, berries and other fruit.
- The food is blessed symbolizing a happy life together.
- Music is often played by the men. Instruments are water drums, gourd rattles, flutes and whistle