First Nations

Traditions, Rituals and Spirituality
After Death and Ceremonies

Jenny

Jenny Cross is Haida First Nation and lives in Skidegate, BC. She was a caregiver for her mother who died of Lymphoma.

Reincarnation

Jenny explains how belief in reincarnation comforts her. (01:24)

First Nations - Traditions, Rituals and Spirituality

Culture affects medical decisions (02:18)
Traditional medicines at end of life (01:26)
Traditional and western medicine (01:11)
A beautiful death (03:41)
We walk with our own people (00:50)
Dying at home (01:40)
Honouring sacred wishes (01:23)
Talking about death (01:11)
Traditions and grief (01:55)
The anger of grief (01:19)
Songs of strength (00:41)
Relationship with Mother Earth (01:19)
Letting go (02:16)
Returning to my culture (00:53)
The comfort of spiritual beliefs (01:02)
Gathering strength (00:43)
Honour and let go (01:33)
You feel so good after (00:57)
Ask, listen and respect (01:01)
Self-smudging ceremony (01:03)
Smudging ceremony (01:33)
Traditional foods are medicine (02:06)
Traditional foods in hospital (00:58)
Balancing medical care and personal needs (01:11)
Towards culturally safe care (01:02)
The meaning of spirit (01:08)
Everything is connected (01:54)
A new setting for Indigenous spirituality (01:46)
Accepting death (01:56)
Healing circle (01:25)
Our music brings comfort (01:00)
Opening a window (01:21)
Go freely now (01:29)
Opening the door (01:37)
Be a human being (01:42)
Indigenous Voices: Ceremony, Tradition and Spirituality (21:41)
Indigenous Voices: Honouring Our Loss and Grief (23:07)
Birds and mammals: Spiritual links to the Creator (1:32)

First Nations - After Death and Ceremonies

Wiping the tears ceremony (01:58)
Traditions and grief (01:55)
Group help for grief (02:02)
The anger of grief (01:19)
Letting go (02:16)
Returning to my culture (00:53)
Honour and let go (01:33)
A time to cry (01:10)
Grief comes in waves (00:57)
Haida G'waii fire ceremonies (02:15)
After death beliefs (00:25)
Helping others mourn and heal (02:29)
Moving to the spirit world (01:37)
The comfort of ceremonies (01:31)
Go freely now (01:29)
Preparing the body for the spirit world (02:41)
One year to grieve (01:27)
Family grief and healing (00:39)
Indigenous Voices: Honouring Our Loss and Grief (23:07)

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