Native American WomenNative American Women

General InformationGeneral Information

Cultural DiversityCultural Diversity Matrilineal Social StructuresMatrilineal Social Structures Sacred AreasSacred Areas Polytheism: Changing Woman, DinehPolytheism: Changing Woman, Dineh

White Buffalo Woman, LakotahWhite Buffalo Woman, Lakotah

White Painted Woman, IndehWhite Painted Woman, Indeh

DinehDineh

The Navajo were given the name Ni’hookaa The Navajo were given the name Ni’hookaa Diyan Diné by their creators.Diyan Diné by their creators.

It means "Holy Earth People" or "Lords of It means "Holy Earth People" or "Lords of the Earth". the Earth".

Navajos today simply call themselves Navajos today simply call themselves "Diné", meaning "The People". "Diné", meaning "The People".

Changing Woman grew up around northern New Changing Woman grew up around northern New Mexico.Mexico.

She married the Sun and bore two son, twins, She married the Sun and bore two son, twins, and heroes to the Navajo people. and heroes to the Navajo people.

They were known as "Monster Slayer" and They were known as "Monster Slayer" and "Child-Born-of-Water". "Child-Born-of-Water".

The twins traveled to their father the Sun who The twins traveled to their father the Sun who gave them weapons of lighting bolts to fight the gave them weapons of lighting bolts to fight the dreaded monsters.dreaded monsters.

Every place the Hero Twins killed a monster it Every place the Hero Twins killed a monster it turned to stone. turned to stone.

Changing Woman created humans by Changing Woman created humans by rubbing the skin from her breast, from her rubbing the skin from her breast, from her back, and from under both arms. back, and from under both arms.

In this way, she created the first four clans; In this way, she created the first four clans; from her breast Kinyaa'aanii(Towering from her breast Kinyaa'aanii(Towering House Clan). House Clan).

From her back, the Honaghaahnii (One-From her back, the Honaghaahnii (One-Walk-Around Clan10) Walk-Around Clan10)

From her right arm, the Todich'ii'nii (Bitter From her right arm, the Todich'ii'nii (Bitter Water Clan) was created,Water Clan) was created,

From her left arm, the Hashtl'ishnii (Mud From her left arm, the Hashtl'ishnii (Mud Clan) was made. Clan) was made.

Changing Woman then traveled to the Changing Woman then traveled to the Western Ocean to be with her husband, Western Ocean to be with her husband, the Sun (Jóhónaa'éí). Many believe this is the Sun (Jóhónaa'éí). Many believe this is HawaiiHawaii

She is often called White Shell WomanShe is often called White Shell Woman

Her home was made of the four sacred Her home was made of the four sacred stones: Abalone, White Shell, Turquoise, stones: Abalone, White Shell, Turquoise, and Black Jet. and Black Jet.

Changing Woman then traveled to the Changing Woman then traveled to the Western Ocean to be with her husband, Western Ocean to be with her husband, the Sun (Jóhónaa'éí). Many believe this is the Sun (Jóhónaa'éí). Many believe this is HawaiiHawaii

She is often called White Shell WomanShe is often called White Shell Woman

Her home was made of the four sacred Her home was made of the four sacred stones: Abalone, White Shell, Turquoise, stones: Abalone, White Shell, Turquoise, and Black Jet. and Black Jet.

White Shell WomanWhite Shell Woman

KinaaldaKinaalda

Ceremony to celebrate Ceremony to celebrate puberty for young puberty for young womenwomen

Honors the Honors the perpetuation of perpetuation of Changing Woman;Changing Woman;

Prayer, dressing, Prayer, dressing, molding, corn grinding, molding, corn grinding, runningrunning

THE BLESSINGWAY (Beautyway) THE BLESSINGWAY (Beautyway) CEREMONYCEREMONY

The story of the creation is recounted in a The story of the creation is recounted in a ceremony known as the Blessingway, which ceremony known as the Blessingway, which is the foundation of the Navajo way of life.is the foundation of the Navajo way of life.

Blessingway focuses on the story of Blessingway focuses on the story of Changing WomanChanging Woman

The Blessingway recounts in detail the The Blessingway recounts in detail the instructions Changing Woman gave to the instructions Changing Woman gave to the Navajo people she created. Navajo people she created.

BlessingwayBlessingway

These teachings concern history and major These teachings concern history and major religious practices, such as girl's puberty rite and religious practices, such as girl's puberty rite and the consecration of a family's hogan. the consecration of a family's hogan.

When performed in its entirety, the Blessingway is When performed in its entirety, the Blessingway is a two-day ceremony whose purpose is to obtain a two-day ceremony whose purpose is to obtain peace, harmony, protection, and to help realize peace, harmony, protection, and to help realize the goal of a long happy life.the goal of a long happy life.

Lakotah NationLakotah Nation

The word Sioux was given to them by the French “Snake”The word Sioux was given to them by the French “Snake” The name they gave themselves was Dakota meaning "friend" The name they gave themselves was Dakota meaning "friend"

or "ally." or "ally." The original Seven Council Fires. The "Oceti-Sakowin" included The original Seven Council Fires. The "Oceti-Sakowin" included

the following: the following: 1. Mdewakantonwan, Spirit Lake People1. Mdewakantonwan, Spirit Lake People 2. Wahpekute, Shooters among the Leaves2. Wahpekute, Shooters among the Leaves 3. Sisseton, People of the Fish Ground (Sisseton)3. Sisseton, People of the Fish Ground (Sisseton) 4. Wahpetonwan, Dwellers among the Leaves (Wahpeton)4. Wahpetonwan, Dwellers among the Leaves (Wahpeton) 5. Ihanktonwana, Little Dwellers of the End (Yanktonais)5. Ihanktonwana, Little Dwellers of the End (Yanktonais) 6. Ihanktonwan, Dwellers of the End (village)(Yankton)6. Ihanktonwan, Dwellers of the End (village)(Yankton) 7. Tetonwan, Dwellers on the Plains (Teton) 7. Tetonwan, Dwellers on the Plains (Teton)

White Buffalo WomanWhite Buffalo Woman

Early one morning the chief sent Early one morning the chief sent two of his young men to hunt for two of his young men to hunt for game. game.

They went on foot, because at They went on foot, because at that time the Sioux didn't yet that time the Sioux didn't yet have horses. have horses.

Seeing a high hill, they decided Seeing a high hill, they decided to climb it in order to look over to climb it in order to look over the whole country. the whole country.

Halfway up, they saw something Halfway up, they saw something coming toward them from far off, coming toward them from far off, but the figure was floating but the figure was floating instead of walking. From this instead of walking. From this they knew that the person was they knew that the person was waken , waken , holy.holy.

it was a young woman with two it was a young woman with two round, red dots of face paint on her round, red dots of face paint on her cheeks. She wore a wonderful white cheeks. She wore a wonderful white buckskin outfit, tanned until it shone a buckskin outfit, tanned until it shone a long way in the sun.long way in the sun.

It was embroidered with sacred and It was embroidered with sacred and marvelous designs of porcupine quill, marvelous designs of porcupine quill, in radiant colors no ordinary woman in radiant colors no ordinary woman could have made.could have made.

This This wakan wakan stranger was stranger was Ptesan Wi, Ptesan Wi, White Buffalo Woman. White Buffalo Woman.

In her hands she carried a large In her hands she carried a large bundle and a fan of sage leaves. She bundle and a fan of sage leaves. She wore her blue black hair loose except wore her blue black hair loose except for a strand at the left side, which was for a strand at the left side, which was tied up with buffalo fur. Her eyes tied up with buffalo fur. Her eyes shone dark and sparkling, with great shone dark and sparkling, with great power in them.power in them.

The two young men looked The two young men looked at her open mouthed. at her open mouthed.

One was overawed, but the One was overawed, but the other desired her body and other desired her body and stretched his hand out to stretched his hand out to touch her.touch her.

This woman was This woman was lila wakenlila waken, , very sacred, and could not very sacred, and could not be treated with disrespect. be treated with disrespect.

Lightning instantly struck the Lightning instantly struck the brash young man and brash young man and burned him up, so that only a burned him up, so that only a small heap of blackened small heap of blackened bones was left. bones was left.

To the other scout who had To the other scout who had behaved rightly, the White Buffalo behaved rightly, the White Buffalo Woman said: "Good things I am Woman said: "Good things I am bringing, something holy to your bringing, something holy to your nation. A message I carry for your nation. A message I carry for your people from the buffalo nation. Go people from the buffalo nation. Go back to the camp and tell the back to the camp and tell the people to prepare for my arrival. people to prepare for my arrival. Tell your chief to put up a Tell your chief to put up a medicine lodge with twenty four medicine lodge with twenty four poles. Let it be made holy for my poles. Let it be made holy for my coming."coming."

This young hunter returned to the This young hunter returned to the camp. He told the chief, he told camp. He told the chief, he told the people, what the sacred the people, what the sacred woman had commanded. woman had commanded.

After four days they saw the White After four days they saw the White Buffalo Woman approaching, Buffalo Woman approaching, carrying her bundle before her. carrying her bundle before her.

She told him what she wanted done.She told him what she wanted done. In the center of the tipi they were to put In the center of the tipi they were to put

up an up an owanka wakan, owanka wakan, a sacred altar, a sacred altar, made of red earth, with a buffalo skull made of red earth, with a buffalo skull and a three stick rack for a holy thing she and a three stick rack for a holy thing she was bringing. was bringing.

They did what she directed, and she They did what she directed, and she traced a design with her finger on the traced a design with her finger on the smoothed earth of the altar. smoothed earth of the altar.

She showed them how to do all this, then She showed them how to do all this, then circled the lodge again sunwise. Halting circled the lodge again sunwise. Halting before the chief, she now opened the before the chief, she now opened the bundle. the holy thing it contained was bundle. the holy thing it contained was the the chanunpa, chanunpa, the sacred pipe.the sacred pipe.

She held it out to the people and let She held it out to the people and let them look at it. She was grasping the them look at it. She was grasping the stem with her right hand and the bowl stem with her right hand and the bowl with her left, and thus the pipe has been with her left, and thus the pipe has been held ever since.held ever since.

The White Buffalo Woman showed The White Buffalo Woman showed the people how to use the pipe. the people how to use the pipe.

She filled it with She filled it with chan shasha, chan shasha, red red willow bark tobacco. She walked willow bark tobacco. She walked around the lodge four times after around the lodge four times after the manner of the manner of Anpetu Wi, Anpetu Wi, the great the great sun. sun.

This represented the circle without This represented the circle without end, the sacred hoop, the road of end, the sacred hoop, the road of life. life.

The woman placed a dry buffalo The woman placed a dry buffalo chip on the fire and lit the pipe with chip on the fire and lit the pipe with it. This was it. This was peta owihankeshini , peta owihankeshini , the the fire without end, the flame to be fire without end, the flame to be passed on from generation to passed on from generation to generation.generation.

She told them that the smoke rising She told them that the smoke rising from the bowl was from the bowl was Tunkashila's Tunkashila's breath, the living breath of the great breath, the living breath of the great Grandfather Mystery.Grandfather Mystery.

The White Buffalo Woman showed the people the The White Buffalo Woman showed the people the right way to pray, the right words and the right right way to pray, the right words and the right gestures. gestures.

She taught them how to sing the pipe filling song and She taught them how to sing the pipe filling song and how to lift the pipe up to the sky, toward how to lift the pipe up to the sky, toward Grandfather, and down toward Grandmother Earth, Grandfather, and down toward Grandmother Earth, to to Unci, Unci, and then to the four directions of the and then to the four directions of the universe.universe.

"With this holy pipe," she said, "you will walk like a "With this holy pipe," she said, "you will walk like a living prayer. With your feet resting upon the earth living prayer. With your feet resting upon the earth and the pipestem reaching into the sky, your body and the pipestem reaching into the sky, your body forms a living bridge between the Sacred Beneath forms a living bridge between the Sacred Beneath and the Sacred Above. Wakan Tanka smiles upon us, and the Sacred Above. Wakan Tanka smiles upon us, because now we are as one: earth, sky, all living because now we are as one: earth, sky, all living things, the two legged, the four legged, the winged things, the two legged, the four legged, the winged ones, the trees, the grasses. Together with the ones, the trees, the grasses. Together with the people, they are all related, one family. The pipe people, they are all related, one family. The pipe holds them all together."holds them all together."

"Look at this bowl," said the White Buffalo Woman. "Look at this bowl," said the White Buffalo Woman. "Its stone represents the buffalo, but also the flesh "Its stone represents the buffalo, but also the flesh and blood of the red man. The buffalo represents the and blood of the red man. The buffalo represents the universe and the four directions, because he stands universe and the four directions, because he stands on four legs, for the four ages of man. The buffalo on four legs, for the four ages of man. The buffalo was put in the west by Wakan Tanka at the making of was put in the west by Wakan Tanka at the making of the world, to hold back the waters. Every year he the world, to hold back the waters. Every year he loses one hair, and in every one of the four ages he loses one hair, and in every one of the four ages he loses a leg. The Sacred Hoop will end when all the loses a leg. The Sacred Hoop will end when all the hair and legs of the great buffalo are gone, and the hair and legs of the great buffalo are gone, and the water comes back to cover the Earth.water comes back to cover the Earth.

The wooden stem of this The wooden stem of this chanunpa chanunpa stands for all stands for all that grows on the earth. Twelve feathers hanging that grows on the earth. Twelve feathers hanging from where the stem the backbone joins the bowl the from where the stem the backbone joins the bowl the skull are from skull are from Wanblee Galeshka, Wanblee Galeshka, the spotted eagle, the spotted eagle, the very sacred who is the Great Spirit's messenger the very sacred who is the Great Spirit's messenger and the wisest of all cry out to and the wisest of all cry out to Tunkashila . Tunkashila . Look at Look at the bowl: engraved in it are seven circles of various the bowl: engraved in it are seven circles of various sizes. They stand for the seven ceremonies you will sizes. They stand for the seven ceremonies you will practice with this pipe, and for the practice with this pipe, and for the Ocheti Shakowin , Ocheti Shakowin , the seven sacred campfires of our Lakota nation."the seven sacred campfires of our Lakota nation."

The White Buffalo Woman then spoke to the The White Buffalo Woman then spoke to the women, telling them that it was the work of women, telling them that it was the work of their hands and the fruit of their bodies their hands and the fruit of their bodies which kept the people alive. "You are from which kept the people alive. "You are from the mother earth," she told them. "What you the mother earth," she told them. "What you are doing is as great as what warriors do."are doing is as great as what warriors do."

The White Buffalo Woman had many things The White Buffalo Woman had many things for her Lakota sisters in her sacred womb for her Lakota sisters in her sacred womb bag; corn, bag; corn, wasna wasna (pemmican), wild turnip. (pemmican), wild turnip. She taught how to make the hearth fire. She She taught how to make the hearth fire. She filled a buffalo paunch with cold water and filled a buffalo paunch with cold water and dropped a red hot stone into it. "This way you dropped a red hot stone into it. "This way you shall cook the corn and the meat," she told shall cook the corn and the meat," she told them.them.

The White Buffalo Woman The White Buffalo Woman also talked to the childrenalso talked to the children

She told them: "You are She told them: "You are the coming generation, the coming generation, that's why you are the that's why you are the most important and most important and precious ones. Some day precious ones. Some day you will hold this pipe you will hold this pipe and smoke it. Some day and smoke it. Some day you will pray with it."you will pray with it."

She teaches them THE SEVEN She teaches them THE SEVEN RITESRITES

· The Keeping of the Soul · The Keeping of the Soul · Inipi: The Rite of Purification · Inipi: The Rite of Purification · Hanblecheyapi:· Hanblecheyapi: Crying for a Vision Crying for a Vision · iwanyag Wachipi:· iwanyag Wachipi: The Sun Dance The Sun Dance · Hunkapi:· Hunkapi: The Making of Relatives The Making of Relatives · Ishna Ta Awi Cha Lowan:· Ishna Ta Awi Cha Lowan: Preparing a Girl for Womanhood Preparing a Girl for Womanhood · Tapa Wanka Yap:· Tapa Wanka Yap: Throwing of the BallThrowing of the Ball

She spoke one last time saying, "Remember: this pipe is She spoke one last time saying, "Remember: this pipe is very sacred. Respect it and it will take you to the end of the very sacred. Respect it and it will take you to the end of the road. The four ages of creation are in me; I am the four road. The four ages of creation are in me; I am the four ages. I will come to see you in every generation cycle. I ages. I will come to see you in every generation cycle. I shall come back to you."shall come back to you."

The sacred woman then took leave of the people, saying: " The sacred woman then took leave of the people, saying: " Toksha ake wacinyanitin ktelo, I Toksha ake wacinyanitin ktelo, I shall see you again."shall see you again."

The people saw her walking off in the same direction from The people saw her walking off in the same direction from which she had come, outlined against the red ball of the which she had come, outlined against the red ball of the setting sun. setting sun.

As she went, she stopped and rolled over four times. The As she went, she stopped and rolled over four times. The first time, she turned into a black buffalo; the second into a first time, she turned into a black buffalo; the second into a brown one; the third into a red one; and finally, the fourth brown one; the third into a red one; and finally, the fourth time she rolled over, she turned into a white female buffalo time she rolled over, she turned into a white female buffalo calf. A white buffalo is the most sacred living thing you calf. A white buffalo is the most sacred living thing you could ever encounter.could ever encounter.

In 1933 a white buffalo calf In 1933 a white buffalo calf was born in Colorado, and in was born in Colorado, and in 1994 another one, named 1994 another one, named Miracle, was born in Miracle, was born in Janesville, Wisconsin. Janesville, Wisconsin. Thousands of people of Thousands of people of many different faiths have many different faiths have visited Miracle, testifying visited Miracle, testifying that her birth is a call for all that her birth is a call for all races to come together to races to come together to heal the earth and solve our heal the earth and solve our mutual problems.mutual problems.

On 9 May 1996, a silvery On 9 May 1996, a silvery white buffalo calf named white buffalo calf named Medicine Wheel was born at Medicine Wheel was born at the ranch of Joe Merrival on the ranch of Joe Merrival on the Pine Ridge reservation the Pine Ridge reservation of South Dakota. Another of South Dakota. Another white calf, Rainbow, had white calf, Rainbow, had been born in the same herd been born in the same herd on 27 April. It died 25 hours on 27 April. It died 25 hours later of scours, a diarrhea later of scours, a diarrhea type condition.type condition.

White Painted WomanWhite Painted Woman

SouthwestSouthwest

The Great Flood & The Abalone The Great Flood & The Abalone ShellShell

Sunrise DanceSunrise Dance

The Apache Sunrise Ceremony or The Apache Sunrise Ceremony or na'ii'eesna'ii'ees  is   is an arduous communal four-day ceremony that an arduous communal four-day ceremony that Apache girls of the past and present Apache girls of the past and present experience soon after their first menstruation. experience soon after their first menstruation.

Through numerous sacred ceremonies, Through numerous sacred ceremonies, dances, songs, and enactments, the girls dances, songs, and enactments, the girls become imbued with the physical and spiritual become imbued with the physical and spiritual power of White Painted Woman, and embrace power of White Painted Woman, and embrace their role as women of the Apache nation. their role as women of the Apache nation. 

For most of the four For most of the four days and nights, to days and nights, to songs and prayers, they songs and prayers, they dance, as well as run dance, as well as run toward the four toward the four directions. During this directions. During this time, they also time, they also participate in and participate in and conduct  sacred rituals, conduct  sacred rituals, receiving and giving receiving and giving both gifts and blessings, both gifts and blessings, and experiencing their and experiencing their own capacity to heal. own capacity to heal. 

In the early 1900s, when the U.S. government banned In the early 1900s, when the U.S. government banned Native American spiritual practices and rituals, Native American spiritual practices and rituals, conducting the Sunrise Ceremony was an illegal act; conducting the Sunrise Ceremony was an illegal act; as a result, its practice diminished, and those as a result, its practice diminished, and those ceremonies that did occur were conducted secretly. ceremonies that did occur were conducted secretly. 

Not until 1978, when the American Indian Religious Not until 1978, when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed, was the Sunrise Ceremony Freedom Act was passed, was the Sunrise Ceremony openly re-established on most reservations. The openly re-established on most reservations. The families of girls entering puberty in a particular year families of girls entering puberty in a particular year may also sponsor joint Sunrise ceremonies, in which may also sponsor joint Sunrise ceremonies, in which two or more newly menstruating girls celebrate the two or more newly menstruating girls celebrate the rites of Changing Women together.rites of Changing Women together.   

The first woman, White Painted Woman (also The first woman, White Painted Woman (also known as Esdzanadehe, and Changing known as Esdzanadehe, and Changing Woman) survives the great Flood in an abalone Woman) survives the great Flood in an abalone shell, then wanders the land as the waters shell, then wanders the land as the waters recede. recede.

Atop a mountain, she is impregnated by the Atop a mountain, she is impregnated by the sun, and gives birth of a son, Killer of Enemies. sun, and gives birth of a son, Killer of Enemies. Soon afterwards, she is impregnated by the Soon afterwards, she is impregnated by the Rain, and gives birth to Son of Water. Rain, and gives birth to Son of Water. 

However, the world the People live in is not However, the world the People live in is not safe until White Painted Woman's sons kill the safe until White Painted Woman's sons kill the Owl Man Giant who has been terrorizing the Owl Man Giant who has been terrorizing the tribe. When they return from their victory, tribe. When they return from their victory, bringing the meat they have hunted, White bringing the meat they have hunted, White Painted Woman expresses a cry of triumph Painted Woman expresses a cry of triumph and delight, which later will be echoed by the and delight, which later will be echoed by the godmother at the Sunrise Ceremony.godmother at the Sunrise Ceremony.

She then is guided by spirits to establish a She then is guided by spirits to establish a puberty rite to be given for all daughter born to puberty rite to be given for all daughter born to her people, and to instruct the women of the her people, and to instruct the women of the tribe in the ritual, and the rites of womanhood.tribe in the ritual, and the rites of womanhood.

When she becomes When she becomes old, White Painted old, White Painted Woman walks east Woman walks east toward the sun until toward the sun until she meets her she meets her younger self, merges younger self, merges with it, and becomes with it, and becomes young again. Thus young again. Thus repeatedly, she is repeatedly, she is born again and born again and again, from again, from generation to generation to generation.generation.

The Sunrise Ceremony serves many purposes - The Sunrise Ceremony serves many purposes - personally, spiritually and communally - and is often personally, spiritually and communally - and is often one of the most memorable and significant one of the most memorable and significant experiences of Apache females today, just as it was for experiences of Apache females today, just as it was for Apache women in the past.Apache women in the past.

By re-enacting the Creation myth, and personifying By re-enacting the Creation myth, and personifying White Painted Woman, the girl connects deeply to her White Painted Woman, the girl connects deeply to her spiritual heritage, which she experiences, often for the spiritual heritage, which she experiences, often for the first time, as the core of her self.first time, as the core of her self.

In her connection to Changing Woman/ White Painted In her connection to Changing Woman/ White Painted Woman,  she gains command over her weaknesses Woman,  she gains command over her weaknesses and the dark forces of her nature, and knows her own and the dark forces of her nature, and knows her own spiritual power, sacredness and her goodness. She spiritual power, sacredness and her goodness. She also  may discover her own ability to heal.also  may discover her own ability to heal.

She learns about what it means to become a woman, She learns about what it means to become a woman, first through attunement to the physical manifestations first through attunement to the physical manifestations of womanhood such as as menstruation (and learning of womanhood such as as menstruation (and learning about sexuality), as well as the development of about sexuality), as well as the development of physical strength and endurance.physical strength and endurance.

The rigorous physical training she must go through in The rigorous physical training she must go through in order to survive four days of dancing and running is order to survive four days of dancing and running is considerable, and surviving and triumphing during the considerable, and surviving and triumphing during the "sacred ordeal" strengthens her both physically and "sacred ordeal" strengthens her both physically and emotionally.emotionally.

Most Apache women who have experienced the Most Apache women who have experienced the Sunrise Ceremony say afterwards that it significantly Sunrise Ceremony say afterwards that it significantly increased their self-esteem and confidence. When it increased their self-esteem and confidence. When it ended, they no longer felt themselves to be a child; ended, they no longer felt themselves to be a child; they truly experienced themselves as "becoming they truly experienced themselves as "becoming woman."woman."

The Apache girl entering womanhood experiences the The Apache girl entering womanhood experiences the interpersonal and communal manifestations of interpersonal and communal manifestations of womanhood in her culture - the necessity to work hard, womanhood in her culture - the necessity to work hard, to meet the needs and demands of others, to exercise to meet the needs and demands of others, to exercise her power for others' benefit, and to present herself to her power for others' benefit, and to present herself to the world, even when suffering or exhausted, with the world, even when suffering or exhausted, with dignity and a pleasant disposition. Her temperament dignity and a pleasant disposition. Her temperament during the ceremony is believed to be the primary during the ceremony is believed to be the primary indicator of her temperament throughout her future indicator of her temperament throughout her future life. life. 

Not only does she give to the community - food, gifts, Not only does she give to the community - food, gifts, healings, blessings, but she also joyfully receives from healings, blessings, but she also joyfully receives from the community blessings, acceptance and love. the community blessings, acceptance and love. Throughout the ceremony, she receives prayers and Throughout the ceremony, she receives prayers and heartfelt wishes for prosperity, wellbeing, fruitfulness, heartfelt wishes for prosperity, wellbeing, fruitfulness, a long life, and a healthy old age. a long life, and a healthy old age. 

The Sunrise ceremony The Sunrise ceremony serves the community as serves the community as well as the girls entering well as the girls entering womanhood. It brings womanhood. It brings extended families and extended families and tribes together, tribes together, strengthening clan strengthening clan obligations, reciprocity obligations, reciprocity and emotional bonds, and emotional bonds, and deepening the and deepening the Apache's connection to Apache's connection to his or her own spiritual his or her own spiritual heritage.heritage.