Intro to Indigenous Religions

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Special thanks to Abel Gomez for co-writing this episode.
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Any world religion textbook will include Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. But how many include indigenous religions? What even are indigenous religions and how do we study them?
This video was brought to you, in part, by support from Sacred Writes: Public Scholarship on Religion, funded by the Henry R. Luce Foundation and hosted by Northeastern University:
www.sacred-writes.org/about
Twitter: @ andrewmarkhenry
Instagram: / andrewmarkhenry

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

What indigenous religions would you like to see covered on this channel?

[@laragea]

traditional Andean religions & Quechua shamanism would be amazing :)

[@oskarhenriksen]

Sami!

[@hafizajiaziz8773]

East Asian Religion. Especially from Japan.

[@ThePrinceofParthia]

Aboriginal religious practices in Australia

[@jaceladag]

It'd be cool if you could touch on Mesoamerican religions, particularly the Mayan religion and how it plays a role in the building of the pan-mayanist identity and political movement in Guatemala.

[@PuehrAmI]

Grew up minutes from Onondaga lake myself and I’m kind of surprised you visited Syracuse, mentioned how settlers’ stealing of land from indigenous populations often resulted in destruction of sacred land, but didn’t mention how Allied Chemical was dumping mercury into Onondaga Lake for about 30 years

[@GizzyDillespee]

In the early 90s it smelled like a chemical factory. OMG it was bad. I haven't been back.

[@christianhowles]

As a Syracuse Native I was very excited but also a bit added when I saw this video. I just started watching this channel and all the videos have been great so far. One thing not mentioned in the video directly is that a companies in the area heavily polluted the Onondaga Lake throughout the 20th century to the point where people couldn't even swim or fish in it. Seeing as this lake is so important to the Onondaga people and the Haudenosaunee nation as whole it really does symbolize the effects that European colonialism has on Native Americans and their sacred spaces.

[@luciferangelica]

allied process

[@misty6026]

the amphitheater doesn’t help Either 😔

[@POTATOSOOPS]

They should have had better cultures then lol

[@aaronengland5622]

@@POTATOSOOPS What makes you think yours is so great? Can't be too nice if half your own people are annoyed by it lol.

[@thefinestsake1660]

@Timothy If your mother was sexually assaulted, would you say "She should've fought harder, lol" in her company... or at all?

[@merrittanimation7721]

9:24 "Which every first PhD student needs to read" I can practically taste the resentment in that statement.

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Haha I actually love Durkheim’s theories, but yeah, the book is a slog.

[@jakecode103]

As an ontario oneida tribesman im so thankful for you showing the background of our sacred lands so well and respectfully this video is great

[@KSangel180]

As a lover of history, I would LOVE to hear more about indigenous history and just more about them in general. The silence about them is just not fair.

[@ADawoodKiwi]

As New Zealand Maori, this resonates with me. Well done, well researched and well spoken.

[@WildVoltorb]

Aotearoa!

[@ketchups2777]

Toa!

[@Phuskooz]

The New Zealand Maori invented poi! :D

[@elfarlaur]

I've learnt about indigenous religion only through taking courses in my undergrad about indigenous history. I read some texts by French Jesuits discussing the practices of the Innu and Huron. It's interesting how although their intent was to convert the natives they managed to preserve a lot of information on their beliefs at the time (though of course in a biased outsider format)

[@merrittanimation7721]

It's funny how the same thing can be seen in the spread Christianity in Europe and its relations with other Christianity related sects like Cathars or Gnostics.

[@ZeroGravityFuneral]

I grew up in Cato,NY(30 minutes from Syracuse), I spent a lot of time going to and from Syracuse. It’s is truly a shame. Lake Onondaga is one of the most polluted lakes in the country, they have started to clean it up but the damage is done. It truly upsets me how that area looks and is treated regardless of history. If you travel just a bit farther south, you’ll see some of the most amazing hills and forests in the area. I can totally see why it was considered sacred land.

[@HaileISela]

I've just been reading Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass" which has a large part focused on Onondaga lake and its history. it is really heartbreaking and still she manages to also weave in a shimmer of hope. there is much to heal, regrow, repair, regain, recover and respect about this ancient site. it should be a focal point of restoring a healthy relationship between people and place and the world has much to learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters. They have so much wisdom to offer that is utterly missing within the colonized mind and landscapes. so much violence, ongoing and past, so much destruction and waste. we need to recognize that the dogmas of efficiency, progress and profit are all based on fundamentally false axioms.

[@trevorgardner2647]

Ha, I grew up in Wolcott. Cool to see cuse in a video like this.

[@markallen3293]

Very informative, I as a Native American, raised in a loving white Christian family this video has opened up my eyes. I went back to the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in Cass Lake Minnesota to meet my mother. What I found is that I am considered an "Apple." White on the inside, red on the out. Kinda caught between two cultures. In the early 60's, the state of Minnesota determined, or thought that a unwed Native American women could not raise my twin sister and myself. We were than taken away from her. Took me 40 years to find her and my native family. I am thankful that I did, I was an orphan, along with my twin sister, now I have 2 families. My twin on the other hand has not made that connection and will NOT meet our Native American relatives. I suppose she is as lost as I used to be. She is missing out on a lot of wonderful, loving, great sense of humor families.

[@DarkMoonDroid]

I hope that these connections grow and heal. Bless you and your families.

[@markallen3293]

Thank You Sister, it is...

[@smjp4725]

Good luck connecting w your sister. Hope she will come around to see her heritage as positive one day. Separating families has a long and continuing story in the USA.

[@KikiYushima]

I'm a writer and I'm currently studying the Ainu, the native peoples of Hokkaido, the Kuriles, and Sakhalin in Russo-Japan. This honestly gave me a lot of insight into understanding how the material I have explains their religion. Unfortunately, my sources are highly limited, largely to information from the early 1900s as I can only use English sources. The best book I've found is by Niel Goron Munro called Ainu Creed and Cult from the 1930s. Unfortunately, it's a short book but it's rather dense with a lot of good information. I'm not sure how much remains in practice today as I've no access to primary research material in Japanese nor the ability to talk to anybody currently living.

[@JayPfo]

Thank you as an indigenous American this is fantastic please do more if u can

[@jasonmartin4775]

If I may be so bold, what religion do you follow? out of curiousity

[@JayPfo]

@@jasonmartin4775 do to syncretism I practice a combination of christianity and mayan practices. Personal circumstances have lead me to be polytheistic and to focus more on my indigenous religion but I still recognize Hunab Ku (The mayan equivalent to the christian god). SOrry for the long answer :)

[@jasonmartin4775]

@@JayPfo Naw bro you good. I'm happy to learn about this.

[@JayPfo]

@@jasonmartin4775 well I'm glad. If you have any more questions feel free to ask

[@mathewfinch]

I would be I interested in a study on how Christianity has influenced native American religious culture. Since many of these are cultures relied on oral tradition, combined with 400 years of Christian people trying to impose their religion on them, I would expect there to be a meaningful degree of cultural cross-contamination.

[@seand.g423]

"Cross-contamination" is seldom more apt...

[@dmitrygaltsin2314]

@@seand.g423 most Indians are sincere Christians. Many don't see that to be in any contradiction with their Animist practices and their transmitted mythology. Syncretism does take place.

[@noelyanes2455]

Let’s aim for a full on contamination

[@POTATOSOOPS]

It's one way, let's be honest lol not a lot of white people worshipping a pond in NY lol

[@aaronengland5622]

@@POTATOSOOPS You know your ancestors lived EXACTLY like us up until the Roman expansion right? Guess you thought white folk had always prayed to a middle eastern guy they'd never seen. Also we didn't worship a lake. it's a sacred site where you go to worship like a church. The key to being a good troll is intelligence. You can't do it properly when you lack it.

[@stephanieprochaska7964]

I used to live in Syracuse, this was such a nice thing to see. Glad that others are starting to become more aware! During my grad school presentations, we would always honor the Haudenosaunee and how we are now placed on their sacred grounds. Thank you for this, this entire video was wonderful.

[@cactusconnoisseur8386]

Your channel inspired me to go into religious studies, thank you.

[@supersaiyanwhat659]

Thank you so much for the "analytical tool-box" for studying Indigenous Religions. I was initially overwhelmed by the sheer number that exist across the world. But now, I have tools to help me in my journey of religious study.

[@nukadog1969]

It was interesting to watch this video as I was fortunate enough to be tribally adopted into a Tlighit clan...and on the opposite side of the continent, the Tlingit and Haida are matrilineal as well. Thank you for highlighting the complete absence of indigenous religious studies in most places. I was a religious philosophy student in college, and we covered indigenous once, in the intro classes.

[@thethreeedgedsword7253]

“I left Syracuse feeling like I had a huge gap in my education.” I was born and raised in Syracuse, lived in Liverpool a large chunk of my life...I completely understand how you feel:p Sadly today there is very little felt of the native community, in Syracuse. My mom used to travel around central New York praying over areas, with native Americans, to try and “heal the land” from the genocides that happened. There are some amazing places in Cazenovia, NY as well. There’s a place there where nearly all of the leadership of the natives were massacred by A French expedition who were trying to monopolize the fur trade.

[@stolenlaptop]

I was also born in syracuse. I live in Oneida now and spent many years in between the places. Just north of Caz there are standing stones which are cool artifacts and canastota with oneida lake... We leaned close to nothing about these things in school and it's a shame how cool and rich all the places around here are in native history we don't get to know.

[@thethreeedgedsword7253]

stolenlaptop it honestly breaks my heart that we have to struggle so much to get the truth about our shared histories. Rumor has it there are still a few sacred peace trees scattered around Central NY. I’ve had a few native Americans tell me there is one on Ithaca, but not even they are sure of the location, so that it’s protected. Peace trees are when the warriors if the tribe would hurry their hatchets in a large tree, and as the years of peace passed on, the axe heads would be absorbed into the wood. A constant symbol. We still have so much to learn from these nearly forgotten peoples

[@wanderingphoenix]

I grew up right next to a Cherokee sacred site, and I had no idea until much later in my life when I started exploring the area on my own and doing my own research. It's kind of sad. It is protected, though, thankfully.

[@g-rexsaurus794]

Stop crying already

[@thethreeedgedsword7253]

G-Rex Saurus I would reply with stating that trash has more value than your opinion does.

[@ethanschenck9714]

I've lived in Cayuga's ancestral lands my whole life, and the Haudenosaunee and the other indigenous nations have been such an important part of my life. I'm glad to see that you're finally diving into indigenous ways. Nyah:weh!

[@luciferangelica]

in auburn rn

[@trtlphnx]

As A Member of The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of northeast Oklahoma, You Hit It on The Button... All I might Add Is The Religion here is Akin To Pantheism If you Were to hit a Western Religion up and Daoism for an Eastern Religion!!!

[@josephmillraney1061]

I hope you plan on continuing this discussion. I find it fascinating. Thank you!

[@calvinemerson]

FINALLY! this is amazing. i'm so interested in the chumash religion, as well as the sami

[@GraemeMarkNI]

i felt like he was going to focus on America, but I suppose we'll see :)

[@TheSlasherJunkie]

Sämi is a fascinating one because it’s one of the few pre-christian religions in Europe that wasn’t ever crusaded to death, but that makes it the exception to the rule. Pretty much everywhere else in the world still has a degree of indigenous religion that was never stamped out, most famously the Americas and Africa, though indigenous Cambodians were critical to the US war effort in Vietnam.

[@finnicpatriot6399]

James A. Franklin It's the only pre-Christian religion that wasn't explicitly crusaded, although its crusaded close relative (Finnish religion) also survived. Also, we be called Sámi. Finns and Sámi have the same lifeblood and origins.

[@TheSlasherJunkie]

My mistake, that’s the spelling I’ve seen from Finns and Swedish Finns.

[@backstept]

Lived in Syracuse for most of my life, and this is a great look into something I haven't learned about in any great detail!

[@turtlepianomusic]

I’m Oneida. Thank you. Just found your channel I absolutely love the content and it’s delivered spot on. Keep it up

[@michaelcarter9395]

I live in Syracuse; when I was in 5th grade, we learned the whole history, and traditions of the local tribes...

[@NotHPotter]

This video is absolutely heartbreaking.

[@wasteyelo1]

Fantastic video. I'd love to hear you talk more about this subject. Will the full interview be posted?

[@alexandreizokaitis293]

I would love to see this series develop, with some more collaboration. Great job bringing attention to this subject.

[@grzybjak]

How do you have over 100k subscribers, yet only get 20-40k views per video? They're so well made, I love them. Thank you for making these, I hope more people find you!

[@davidcheater4188]

A lot of the description applies to Judaism. The relationship to the land of Israel whether or not in exile. The relationships between persons and animals, persons and other persons, and persons and G-d are relevant to the practice of the religion. Proper behavior, including both ritual and ethical behaviors are core to Jewish practice. I'd love to see a full video talking about the current practice of Haudinosaunee religions, AKA Gaihwi:io or Longhouse Religion. I'd also love to see a video on Midewewin.

[@SomasAcademy]

Interesting point! I feel like a lot of these qualities are found throughout many religions that wouldn't likely be labelled "indigenous" due to not being associated with the natives of settler states. Shinto and possibly Hinduism (which was more of a collection of related regional religions prior to British colonialism) spring to mind - I don't know if either are commonly labelled "indigenous".

[@lshulman58]

@@SomasAcademy I would say that Shinto is often referred to as the indigenous religion of Japan, though it does seem unique amongst indigenous religions in that it is a major religion of a large, modern society that had not been colonized by foreign settlers (invaders). And hinduism, as a collection of related religions, is not unlike native American religions. Not really a formal single religion that has produced multiple sects so much as multiple religions that have come to be grouped under a common lable.

[@ELS-tone]

Soma Hanikeri I guess everything is indigenous to somewhere. In all seriousness though, I think as far as I’m aware the only real exceptions may be Christianity and Islam since those are both universalist religions. Even modern Judaism is still based in tribal groupings and that sort of thing

[@lshulman58]

@@ELS-tone Buddhism is also universalist. Not indigenous to any of the Asian cultures that it is the main religion of. Began in India but barely exists there since 1000+ years ago. Buddhist missionary activity began more than 2000 years ago.

[@davidcheater4188]

@@ELS-tone A couple of other exceptions, by my observations, would be Buddhism, Baha'i, and Wicca.

[@SteamShinobi]

I was a midew wskapios, so I'm hype to see this. I'm Christian, but still, I'm pretty involved in my heritage culture

[@user-ut9vt8gq9s]

what us a midew wskapios?

[@SteamShinobi]

@@user-ut9vt8gq9s Midew is an algonquian religion; wskapios is an initiate of said religion.

[@SteffonGreatness]

What made you convert?

[@dreadedworld8864]

I'm Cherokee and athiest and same ❤

[@emberw214]

Newer subscriber here. I love your channel! I've learned a lot here. I'd say visit AZ & NM. These states are steeped in Native American culture. I have been on many school field trips to the Navajo and Hopi reservations, learned a lot from Native friends, and been to ceremonies that most outsiders don't get to see. Non natives in the Southwest have a deep love for Native Americans. I think it would be another great place for you to look into even from afar. I can't wait to see what else you will be coming out with! Take Care Always.

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Welcome to the channel! Glad you're enjoying it. I'm definitely interested in covering Navajo religion. That's on the list.

[@shiness6229]

@@ReligionForBreakfast Hello, I'm not Navajo but I am Hopi and I would be willing to help describe our beliefs.

[@freomoodfly]

Very interesting and well presented. Top of my "must watch" list of channels. Excellent

[@harimbawa]

Thank you for this. Well-research. This video resonates with me as a Balinese Hindu. I experience what so-called Hinduism as indigenous religion that lives in very large region from the Indian subcontinent to Indo-china and Indo-nesia. We share many basic understanding about life and universal force. But at the same time, each region also have their own sacred geography and rituals that look different.

[@clydegriffith6732]

I've studied religion all my life in the most informal of circumstances. It has recently been my great honor to delve into my own relationship with indigenous faith structures. Being located in a geographically advantageous area I've had honors and experiences I would never have thought to ask for and can't really even talk about. I think you have started out very well. I certainly won't be missing any episodes of this series.

[@juanpablovenegas1482]

I'm really excited for follow-ups of this video!

[@nikopineapple]

Man, this has been so helpful in understanding indigenous peoples. Thanks, Doctor! :D

[@bugonaykishig354]

I look forward to seeing how this develops.

[@Survivethejive]

How ought the dichotomy of settler and extractive colonialism be applied to the Maya empire? It expanded and was intended to be permanent so it must be settler based? Brits did intend to settle India, but they were forced to leave. The Islamic conquest of Iberia - was intended to be settler colonialism, but they were forced to leave so we can retroactively call it extractive?

[@ProjectThunderclaw]

His definition seems a bit wonky, because I can't think of any examples where an empire invaded a place, plundered it for a while and then left of their own volition, outside of short-term raiding. But I still see a clear difference between e.g. European colonialism in North America where the native population was driven off and replaced by settlers, and British colonialism in India, where the native population was subjugated and bled for resources. Those are pretty extreme examples, though, and a lot of other instances of imperial are somewhere on a sliding scale between them

[@ciarandolan7695]

This is very helpful in understanding indigenous religion. I'm remembering a lot of information about ancient and more recent Celtic religious practices from folklore and archaeology and this description completely fits with the basic framework. Also would you ever do a video on ancient west Semitic polytheism. I think if you looked at what we know about it with the indigenous religion perspective that would be really helpful in understanding it from outside a biased slant.

[@StudeSteve62]

This is fascinating, especially as it covers the indigenous group who, for me, are pretty much next door. That flag design really caught my eye, as I see it so often; I live in Hamilton, Ontario, and Six Nations is just southwest of the city...

[@martachtman1285]

Very interesting! Heard about your channel in your interview in the German radio.

[@lcmars]

I wanted to comment two things. One, you look just like the guy from Chromeo. Two, as someone who grew up with no religious education and isn't religious at all but loves to learn, I love your channel. I feel you give the facts with a neutral pov and you're a great speaker. I'm on a binge now. New subscriber here. Keep it up! :)

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Awesome! Welcome to the channel. I always say “you don’t need to be religious to study religion.”

[@athefitz]

I grew up a mile from here! I’m really enjoying your content.

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

Consistently one of the best educational channels. Thank you.

[@EscepticoHumanistaUU]

Loved this episode. Thank you for it.

[@dersitzpinkler2027]

Very enlightening! I’m really looking forward to learning more about the subject!

[@5kollar7of26]

Good for you, it's a beautiful study; the relationship these people's had with the land, is the most beautiful 'religion', I've ever read. Good for you. Good luck.

[@davidvargo2792]

Thank you for this outstanding presentation.

[@20firebird]

this helped me understand the idea of indigenity in general, not just the concepts of indigenous religions.

[@mishapurser7542]

I'm so happy you chose this approach rather than the trivia angle.

[@Irishman2122]

I been to Syracuse several times and I didn’t know that it was a sacred place

[@avirani0203]

Excellent video. It is very well researched and presented.

[@sabrinakrisb4672]

@ReligionForBreakfast would you ever be interested in making a video on some of the claims "hermeticism" makes or any relevant history on the subject? Would really enjoy that, very controversial and broad subject from what I understand. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge so freely.

[@Mikefantasia22]

The legend of the peacemaker is fascinating and a topic that one can dive into highly recomend it

[@elizabethshaw734]

I was born and raised in Maine so I have always known of these indigenous peoples and their religions.

[@SomasAcademy]

Looking forward to more videos on this topic!

[@jesseberg3271]

On some ways, it makes more sense to talk about Judaism in an indigenous religious context, than it does to compare it to Islam or Christianity. Jews are a small group, the remnant of a tribal confederation displaced by an expansionist colonial empire, whose membership is determined by bloodlines, rather than belief, and who are united by a deep spiritual bond to a particular land. We have our ansecstral sagas, our traditions, and our rituals, but are far more concerned about appropriate relationships than about the metaphysical world. Just as the Haudenosaunee can't just find another lake to be theirs, Jews will always look to The Land, in spite of conflicts with the descendants of the people who displaced us, who have, admittedly, been living there for a very long time.

[@jakesabatini9290]

So... are you saying that displacing Palestinian people is the same as Native people reclaiming their land. Religion aside Israel as a settler colonial state is much closer to nations like the US than people like the Haudenosaunee.

[@jesseberg3271]

@@jakesabatini9290 First of all, no, that's not what I'm saying, my entire comment was on religion, so your "Religion aside" comment means you are completely changing the topic. That said, since you have changed the topic, what I would say in response to your comment is that the situation between the Israelis and Palpatinians is vastly more complicated than many people like to believe, or than you are presenting it as being. This is because both sides are simultaneously colonizer and colonized, victim and victimizer. Much like the Dutch Afrikaners or White Upstate New Yorkers, Palistinians are the descendants of a colonial population. Some of their ansesctors were brought in by the Arabs after the Crusades, some were brought in by the Romans, and some were Jews who were assimilated by the colonizers. (not to mention that, being a Semetic people, the Jews are closely related to the other people's of the region) On the other hand, since returning to their land the Israelis have done, at times, horrible things to those people, who have known no other home for generations. There are dark parallels to be drawn between Israel and Zimbabwe. The point is, both sides have legitimate grievances, against each other and especially against the European colonial powers. However, that doesn't wrap things up with a pretty little bow that lets people make their side be "The Good Guys" so many people prefer to pretend that it isn't the case.

[@nromk]

Palestine see themselves as ancestors of everyone who claimed the Lavant from the Cannanites who were expelled by the Jews to the British who promised two nations

[@simonxag]

Most myths (foundation, religious or national) are fiction. There never was a white tribe in the Middle East - Jews bear the mark of Norther European evolutionary pressures. And, as with indigenous religions, modern Zionist Judaism is not Judaism of old - it is Judaism modified for political ends - you can see a similar process happening now with Hinduism in India.

[@mustfaaboassd]

God promised you this land on a condition that you honour the torah and accept jesus as the messiah, sins you didn't the promise was moved to who ever keeps the condition which is the muslims.

[@mr.macintosh8559]

I lived right next to Syracuse for so much time. Can’t believe I’d never heard about this.

[@lshulman58]

I would say the real essence of an indigenous religion or culture is that it exists where it originated. The three Rs is fine to help us understand the major/main values of indigenous cultures. Though these also apply to ethnic religions that may not be indigenous. Judaism, for instance, values relationship, but is hardly the indigenous religion of the places jews live today (not even Israel, since Abraham did not originate in that land). The three Ps also are not exclusive to indigenous religions. Place (sacred place) is found in most religions, eg Mecca for Muslims or, again, especially in ethnic religions eg the Land of Israel for the Jews, no matter where they may be in the world. Clearly, there is a connection or overlap between indigenous and ethnic religions. I would say that indigenous religions ARE ethnic religions of indigenous peoples. But ethnic religions can also be part of the identity of non-indigenous peoples (Jews and Judaism). An interesting thing about Judaism, in the context of what you present here, is how, in the history of Judaism, they and their religion has often been persecuted, even "banned" or exiled when foreign powers took over (colonized?) their land (the Babylonians, Greeks, Romans) and prohibited (banned) when they have migrated to other lands, ruled over by other powers (ancient Egypt, medieval Spain). Perhaps what distinguishes an ethnic religion like judaism from an indigenous religion like the native American (or Shinto?) Is that ethnic religions are better able to survive and thrive when the people are separated from their land. Ethnic religions are more centered on the relationship with people than with place. Or perhaps it is that indigenous religions can become ethnic religions if they are able to translate the importance of place to focus more on the people. Judaism seems to have done this following the Babylonian exile. Thus judaism can be referred to as a "nation" or "a people" even when Israel was not the "Jewish Nation State". In contrast, Shinto remains still so connected to place (Japan) that it does not thrive when the Japanese people are separated from that land (living in a foreign land). There are very few Shinto shrines outside of Japan and those that are in other lands (British Columbia, Canada or Washington state, USA) are institutionally linked to/sponsored by a "mother" shrine in Japan. I'd like to see you do a video on the possible relationship, similarities and differences between ethnic and indigenous religions.

[@penand_paper6661]

Of course, one cannot forget the concepts of sacred sites within Judaism, both within and out of Israel.

[@davidcheater4188]

Getting away for Judaism and back to indigenous religions and cultures. Very few of the Indigenous peoples of USA or Canada have not experienced displacement. The Trail of Tears being one of the better known examples.

[@HeavenlyEchoVirus]

I don’t think we should take the the “place” to mean such a specific place or a site for indigenous religions. The relationship with the land is nuanced and complex, and woven into the cosmology, in a way that is definitely distinct from the importance of locations in Judaism-which centre on the relationship with God. They cannot shift the focus onto people or something else, because the relationship with the land itself as a being is central.

[@gamermapper]

@@davidcheater4188 True. There's not even a single Indian reservation in the state of Indiana, despite what the state was created for.

[@matthewblackwelder6487]

I would love more content on this topic. Give me some deeper dives into what you covered in this episode! Also I've seen a few comments comparing Judaism and Indigenous religions. That would be a great topic! you could use Judaism, which is more familiar to most people, and explain why it is or is not an indigenous religion. Compare it to say Christianity/Islam on the one hand and an indigenous religion(whichever one you can find enough quality scholarship on) on the other.

[@rae_diant]

Not ten minutes ago i saw someone on campus with a hiawatha(?) belt sticker on their laptop (i go to school with a decent indigenous population) and the coincidence is funny to me. thank you for this video!

[@moerakibeachbumb]

I would love to see something on the Inuit. (hope I spelled that right.)

[@yami7656]

Awesome video. Thank you 😊

[@I_am_Irisarc]

It seems like modern people tend to think that indigenous religions are old-fashioned and primitive, so many don't believe that anyone really practices them anymore and that they can be disregarded. It appears to me that many people think, "Oh, Native Americans are all Christians now, so they are just trying to get attention when they show off with dances and claims to sacred lands." I am not Native American, but I am a native Oklahoman. I grew up knowing many different types of Native people. Native Americans tribes, and even the individuals themselves, have very different ideas about their indigenous religions and the Christian religion. A few are truly ancestrally tribal in their religion. Some are exclusively Christian. However, a large number faithfully believe in a blending of the two. I would like to learn more about how Christianity has changed and evolved tribal religions.

[@ActiveAura951]

I live in Syracuse near Oneida lake (about 15 minutes from Onondaga lake). It’s interesting and sad to hear how important Onondaga lake is, and what is currently happening to the lake as a result of mass pollution. I learned about the Haudenosaunee back in middle school. About the maternal relationship and their way of life. But I didn’t know Onondaga lake had so much importance with the union of the tribe by Hiawatha. It’s sad to know what this lake once meant and what it is now. But it’s interesting

[@glennpayne9694]

I have lived in upstate/central NY for all my life. I remember building a longhouse diorama in elementary school. As an adult I have seen the conflict between indigenous and immigrant (the rest of us.)

[@DanCooper404]

I just stumbled across this, and I'll definitely have to watch it! My wife is Onondaga. That's where her people are from.

[@pb7251]

A video on Native Americans’ use of payote in religious ceremonies would be super interesting!

[@flamephlegm]

The conclusion turns this into one of your most cogent, interesting videos.

[@StudeSteve62]

Not just New York, Andrew...but you'll know that. Tensions flare up periodically in southern Ontario, too...

[@Survivethejive]

British people consider themselves native and custodians of the land which has been regarded as sacred, both in pagan times and after conversion to christianity when it was widely believed Jesus visited England himself. Genetics show that most of British DNA dates to an invasion 4500 years ago but that Brits also have 9% DNA from the earlier inhabitants. By any definition you use, British people are indigenous, but they are not recognised as such because the terminology and politics surrounding the word are guarded by gatekeepers who wish to exclude Europeans from benefiting from this idea of "land is connected to a people via ancestors" Legal status of indignity is extended to nomadic peoples in Africa of primarily Bantu ancestry that arrived in the region within the last 3000 years, also to Maori people in New Zealand who arrived only in the 14th century AD! There is clearly a very obvious double standard.

[@Survivethejive]

Andrew also refers to native Hawaiians - they only arrived in the 13th century. How long do people need to be in a place before they are indigenous?

[@ANTSEMUT1]

@@Survivethejive continuity of traditions and practices towards the connection to the land haven't been maintained to the modern day in England and definitely not for the sake of itself. When was the last time you heard anyone in England say like the lake district is scared like they have a deep connection to it.

[@noahinson]

You should make a video on southeastern indigenous religion. John R. Swanton wrote a ton on southeastern religion and spiritual beliefs in the twenties. Really interesting stuff and I'd recommend you at least look into it.

[@auden5236]

Indigenous religion is such an overlooked topic. I tend to focus a lot on Abrahamic faiths, mainly Manichaeism and Judaism, but indigenous religion is so structurally different than most Abrahamic religions. It’s really interesting.

[@Imperiused]

Oh, I was here not too long ago. Visited the museum the Onondaga have there. Picked up a copy of the Rotinonshonni.

[@luciferangelica]

you mean onondaga?

[@Imperiused]

@@luciferangelica Ah, yeah. The Onondaga run the Great Law of Peace Center. Not sure why I thought it was the Oneida when I wrote the comment.

[@luciferangelica]

@@Imperiused easy mistake

[@GuapoG0tGuap]

Could we get an episode on African diasporic religions like hoodoo/voodoo/obeah?

[@carolinehughes1389]

This was great!

[@williamashbee]

I think indigenous religions are fascinating. And it sounds like a fun life to study this stuff.

[@Dreoilin]

I live in WNY near the Rez. As a modern Druid, I always honor the native ppl in our rituals. The spirits of their ancestors are seen within our culture are always given reverence and respect even though they are not our ancestors.

[@averydizzle]

Wait?!?! I live in Syracuse! How did I not know such an intelligent dude who makes refreshing content . Oh and a few seconds in i find out you don’t live here

[@MP-om9fj]

I'd love a video talking about the Cathars

[@MP-om9fj]

Oh and for indigenous I'd like to see a video on Shinto.

[@sisyphusvasilias3943]

So good!

[@samvimes9510]

Even now, America tries to pretend that Natives don't exist. Growing up in the 90s, I learned very little in school about Natives and the most concrete ideas I had about them were stereotypes. I thought they were all either primitive hunter-gatherers who lived in the woods or in teepees, or vicious savages who scalped their enemies. Then in my 20s, on a road trip out west, I visited Mesa Verde in Colorado and had my mind blown. These people I thought were primitive had actually built proper houses _on the side of a cliff_ over a mile high. After that I started seeking out more information and learned about sites like Cahokia and Serpent Mound. Needless to say, my perception of Natives has changed.

[@Michaela1942]

As a non-native person who has had the great good fortune to be invited to take part in many native ceremonies, I can say that "religion" is a rather foreign word to most traditional indigenous peoples. Rather, "ways of being" is how they would it. Traditional peoples embody seek to and can embody this idea and, thus, there is no difference between "everyday life" and "ritual/sacred" life.

[@johnbarham9991]

I really hope Religion for Breakfast looks around this comment section and sees an important flaw of the Three Rs as a critical perspective. At least for people who are not academics, or do not have any points of reference for this material, it can be tempting to indiginize their own religious identities which is very inappropriate. (Perhaps this should be addressed in a future video?) But ultimately, in a settler society, it is impossible to view indigenous peoples (what they do, think, create) from a perspective that doesn't end up even subtly reinforcing white settler colonialism. And we as white folks have to be very careful about how we engage with this material, and carefully examine our biases as we sit with it. Going forward, I hope that the fact that these spiritual practices have been shaped in opposition to white supremacy continues to be addressed in this series of videos, becuase the history these nations have lived through is just as important as the practices themselves.

[@javiercarrera6092]

Latin America is a settler/extractive colony, where people work extracting all kind of resources for the benefit of the global North. A lot of the population are Native Americans but have been taught to call themselves “mestizos”. In places like Ecuador even the totally black African descendants have 25% Native American genes.

[@Mr.dadpool_bjj]

I’d like to learn more about the elymians, the religion what was the land, animals and other things they found sacred, culture, language and history

[@boldandbrash8431]

Would you consider doing a video about Perennialism?

[@finnicpatriot6399]

Bold and Brash This tbh

[@PForestell]

This is great!

[@kingsleynwoko3172]

It’s so hard to find this information on the library

[@rookholgado2966]

That lake is very polluted by local companies and people alike for it to be “sacred” as long as I’ve been alive, it’s been desecrated and polluted! You can only eat 1 or 2 fish if at all from it a year

[@georgemoore2226]

Zuni, Navajo and Hopi. I live in the Four Corners Area.

[@Phobos_Anomaly]

As an ancient paleolithic human, I appreciate this video.

[@adonisrivera354]

This needs its own channel

[@taybee50]

Could you do a video about the Hopewell group/Chillicothe? I live in a world heritage site, with thousands of sacred mounds surrounding our area. It's beautiful!

[@taybee50]

Chillicothe, Ohio by the way.

[@raulendymion9917]

Can you talk about the telescope example you gave at 12:13, it looks like an interesting example of how modern politics, Indigenous rights, and science all intersect? What's this about?

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

I can cover it more in a later video, but briefly: it's the Thirty Meter Telescope. A proposed gigantic telescope that will be built on Mauna Kea, but the Native Hawaiians are opposing its construction b/c the volcano's sacred status.

[@aaronmoreton]

My wife loves your channel. She also wanted me to say how well those models* work.

[@aaronmoreton]

8:34 Indigenous Identity & Indigenous Religion

[@anestihatzisavvas6639]

Can you do more videos on this? Thanks

[@tiatemsulongkumer4662]

Nice video... I'm also doing research on indigenous religion and syncretism in Christianity in Northeast India.

[@ProjectThunderclaw]

Is that "indigenous religion" as distinct from Hinduism, or does it still fall under the Hindu umbrella?

[@tiatemsulongkumer4662]

@@ProjectThunderclaw Distinct from Hinduism. It doesn't fall under Hindu umbrella.

[@jasonports8517]

Could you do some videos about the changing of religious practice due to things like the columbian exchange, manifest destiny and the coming of settlers?

[@NewmanBJ7]

Would you consider covering Shintoism?

[@ZeroGravityFuneral]

YES PLEASE