Celebrations+and+Traditions


 * Ceremonies and Traditions of the Cree**

**Ceremonies/Celebrations** Feasts are one of the most important and sacred celebrations in the Cree culture. They symbolize the relationship between the Cree community of humans and the community of animals. These feasts show respect to the animals that they have hunted if the feasts are carried out in the proper way. A prayer is said before the feast for thanks and then a portion of the food from the feast is thrown into the fire by the host. No food is ever wasted at a feast because all food (animals) are considered sacred.
 * Feasts **




 * The Walking Out Ceremony **

The walking out ceremony is performed when infants are old enough to walk. This ceremony welcomes children into the Cree community. Children walk through the doorway of a tent that faces east towards the rising sun. The children are dressed in traditional outfits and they are given toy replicas of tools used by Cree hunters. The children are sent into the tent with a parent or guardian and then sent back out with decorated animals behind them (small animals). The children then make a circle around a decorated tree.

Another walking ceremony happens in the winter when children are old enough to walk in snowshoes. Both of these ceremonies symbolize how much a person is worth within the Cree society.



  **Traditions**  ** The Elders **  Elders in the Cree nation are very respected and they are given the responsibility to keep the memory, history and knowledge of the Iiyiyuu ancestors. These people share life experiences and stories to help the younger Cree generations understand their community and to help them learn and make better decisions. The elders help solve family disputes, personal matters, as well as community problems. The elders offer guidance to any Cree that needs them without judgement. Helping preserve the Cree nation is their main job.  

Bibliography:

//Cree Culture //. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. .