🌿 NEHIYAW PAKITINKOSIWÎN 🌿 (Plains Cree Belief System) A Living Way of Knowing, Being, and Relating ⸻ “In order to understand who we are, one must first understand how we see the world around us.” As Nehiyawak, we walk in relationship with all of Creation. We do not simply believe in spirits—we live among them, with them, as part of them. Every tree, rock, river, bird, star, and breath of wind has spirit. The natural and supernatural worlds are intertwined. The closest word that mooniowak might use to descibe our belief system is Animism (The oldest belief system on earth)—the belief that everything is alive, connected, and sacred. But our understanding goes far beyond that. Our ceremonies, languages, and ways of life (Nêhiyaw Pimâtisiwin) connect us deeply to both the natural and spirit worlds. ⸻ 🌎 Our Worldview ✨ Kisê-manitow (The Great Spirit, The Creator) placed us here on this land with all that we need. ✨ We are taught to live in harmony with all Creation—everything is our relative. This sacred kinship is called Wahkohtowin. ✨ Every being has a purpose and a spirit. Plants, animals, rocks, waters, stars — all walk their own path in the Circle of Life. ✨ Our language, our sacred pipes, and our ceremonies were given to us to help us live respectfully, to maintain balance and gratitude. ⸻ 🌿 Living With Respect We understand that all things have spirit. Nothing belongs to us — we are in relationship with everything around us. When we pick medicines, we offer tobacco and prayers. When we take from the land, we ask permission first. We thank the spirit of the tree, the animal, the rock, the water, before we use it or alter its path. This is not just about “sustainability” — it is about honouring the life-force and spirit within all things. We live with gratitude, humility, and respect. ⸻ ✨ A Living Spirituality Our spirituality is not something we visit once a week. It permeates our entire existence — in the way we speak, how we relate to one another, how we walk on the land.