African Ancestry and Evangelization Network (AAMEN) & Native American Catholics (NAC)
RALEIGH - Native American Catholics and friends gathered Oct. 5 for a heritage celebration that included powwow dancing, storytelling, a community meal and a panel discussion focused on Native American traditions and the Catholic faith.
As dancers prepared and attendees gathered, Father David Miller, chaplain to the Native American Catholic Community (NAC) in the diocese and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, began the day with smudging. He said that smudging, which is like incensing during Mass, imparts a blessing and is also cleansing.
“It’s usually done with a feather, sweetgrass for the aroma … and a dish to burn the sweetgrass in,” he said. “And we wave it over the person, and the person will breathe it in, bring it over their head and across their body. It’s part of our rituals done in ceremonies.”
Dressed in regalia, Ryan Dial and his twin sister, Raven Dial-Stanley, led the dancing, which, he said, differed from ceremonial dances, which aren’t often done for the public.
They are citizens of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Dial lives in Durham; Dial-Stanley lives in Greensboro.
“My family lives in Robeson County, which is where our traditional homelands are,” said Dial.
He said all the dances have different protocols and different regalia, or custom-made clothing. But what’s a mainstay is that the dancers will move their feet to the same beat that the drum is playing. It’s a tradition that’s centered on respect for singers and drummers.
All who attended the event were excited to have the opportunity to learn more about our Native American Community and this community’s Diocesan contributions over the past century.
