People find things in their lives every day that are meaningful to them, and the closer one can get to an object, the more powerful it can be, a NE government instructor said Nov. 19.
Lisa Uhlir spoke on the meaning of certain aspects of Native American culture, such as spiritual animals. She explained spirit animals and messenger animals and each of their meanings.
Spirit animals are similar to one’s zodiac and reflect their personality while messenger animals deliver messages about imbalances in one’s life. For example, dragonflies signify that tough times are ahead.
“Any animal that has shown hostility toward you is not your spirit animal,” Uhlir said. “Everything we associate with all helps with physical and mental health.”
A variety of stones, herbs and spices are used for healing, protection and increasing positivity, she said. Uhlir showed examples of stones such as turquoise and spices such as rosemary and ginger and described their uses, whether to help keep hair and skin healthy or to fight off illnesses.
NE student Susan Lucas said she can relate to some of these traditions being from Mexico, and that her family used some of the same healing techniques.
“I think it’s very important for students to learn about Native American culture because that’s where it all originated,” Lucas said.
Viviane Diadhiou, a NE student from Senegal, Africa, also related to some of the aspects of Native American culture.
“I wanted to learn more about the culture because different cultures interest me,” she said.
— Rodrigo Valverde
