Native American Indigenous Church- N.A.I.C. Religious Ceremony
Native American Indigenous Church- N.A.I.C. Religious Ceremony
N.A.I.C. Sweat, Healing and Purification Lodge
First, there is NO confusion: N.A.I.C. NEVER EVER charges for Native American or Indigenous Traditional Ceremony and or for participating in the ceremony. We never have, and we never will. All N.A.I.C. or Native American Indigenous Church ceremonies (Cross Way) and practice of religious therapeutics are based on the gifts and teachings freely given by God and Mother Earth. N.A.I.C. ceremony is open and free to all N.A.I.C.- Priory of Saving Grace members without discrimination.
N.A.I.C. Doctrine of Faith
N.A.I.C. is directly affiliated with and recognized by the Jibarro Taino Borekin Tribe and Indigenous Nation of Puerto Rico, recognized as a tribal medicine man and licensed under the Taino Nation as a Traditional Medicine provider following both Taino Tribal and Puerto Rico Department of Medicine rules.
From the beginning of time when people first walked, Great Spirit provided human beings with two indigenous spiritual ceremonial customs that honor the two earthly substances that sustain Human life, Air (Father Sky) – Prayer Pipe (Sacred Breath Casuse Ceremony) and Food (Mother Earth) – Sacrament (Peyote Ceremony).
Partaking of these two sacred gifts to our first parents, first supplied by the Great Spirit, then evolved into other ceremonial customs. From the beginning to the present, these ceremonies manifested themselves from the promptings of one’s heart. It has been discovered that the regular practicing of these ceremonies enhances the worshiper’s ability to walk in Faith, Gratitude, Humility, Charity, Respect, Honor, and Forgiveness.
Practicing and living these ceremonies regularly enhance and assist one to live with honor and respect for all their relations, leading to a responsible and peaceful existence.
All of the following Native ceremonies remain with us today due to the courage and tenacity of our indigenous ancestors. Throughout human history, there have been influences based on greed and prideful intentions that have sought to destroy or marginalize the practicing of these Native American Sacred Ceremonies, the Racist War Against the American Native Culture.
Through these trials and tribulations, the Native American Indigenous Church has established a Code of Ethics and N.A.I.C. Ceremonial Protocol to sustain these ancient religious practices for generations upon generations to come.
Under N.A.I.C.- Priory of Saving Grace authority, Priest, Church Elder, Medicine Persons, Dr. Anthony B. James, Dr. Julie James, and other ordained or authorized ministers are authorized to lead the N.A.I.C. ceremonies.
1. The Birth Ceremony – honors the passing into a new existence of all earthly beings.
2. The Sacred Breath Ceremony – Two essential purposes for this ceremony are 1) to have the Great Spirit infiltrate every cell of one’s body and 2) to assist the participant in experiencing unconditional love.
3. The Holy Anointing (Laying on of Hands/ Chirothesia) Ceremony – Religious Therapeutics: American Native Spiritual Leaders have traditionally used the natural power of touch to accomplish healing, empowerment, and creation to connect with our creator (Divine Touch). Throughout history and today, Medicine People are aware of the effects of touch with the essences of plants, oils, and herbs on the body, mind, and emotions. They utilize the touch and fragrance of seeds, roots, barks, flowers, and leaves in ritual healing, empowerment, and creation. N.A.I.C. teaches and practices an elegant, comprehensive, and sophisticated system of total health maintenance: SomaVeda Integrated Traditional Therapies® We offer four Certificate and six College Degrees from entry-level practitioners and counselors to ASA, BSSc, BASSc(YT), BASSc(MT), DSNM/ ND(T), DSTIM (BareBones Doctor) Diploma via our N.A.I.C. Seminary The NAIC American College of Natural Medicine
4. The Marriage Blanket Ceremony – honors the public and sincere commitment of two or more people to serve the human family unit for all eternity.
5. The Passing on of Spirit Ceremony – honors the passing of any earthly beings into the next realm of Existence.
6. The Potlatch Ceremony – Distribution of Wealth.
7. The Sacred Prayer Pipe (Casuse or Chanupa) Ceremony – Three essential purposes for this ceremony are; 1) to Remind the participants to honor and respect the power of prayer and 2) to assist in unity and respect of male and female differences, 3) activate the law of synergy to assist all participants in achieving their heartfelt desires. The SMOKE: “The Smoke (as I will refer to this Sacred Tobacco Prayer Smoke) is considered a modern-day extension of the Sacred Pipe Ceremony of our ancestors. The smoke embodies our heartfelt prayers and goes “up” to God’s ears. Instead of loading individual pipes and praying with them, as we did in the old days, the Road Man takes a corn shuck prepared/cut to facilitate the Smoke, fills it with a mixture of natural tobaccos and sweet-smelling herbs, and rolls it up. He will then light and pray with the Smoke, asking Creator for help and guidance, expressing the Sponsor’s intentions for the meeting and any special prayers he feels are needed. After puffing on the smoke four times (not inhaling it) and finishing his prayer, the Road Man will pass the Smoke to all the helpers and the Sponsor, each of whom will take four puffs and then pass it to the next person.”
8. The Sacrament (Peyote) Ceremony – Three essential purposes for this ceremony are A) to rediscover one’s innate goodness and B) to assist in the forgiveness process for oneself, and C) to reside in truth. There is not only one sacrament. All-natural substances are suitable for healing ceremonies: the Medicine Lodge or Peyote Ceremony.
9. The Spirit Dance (Ghost Dance) Ceremony – A celebration of the Millennium, living in gratitude and directly connecting to all the benevolent energies and intelligence (Holy Spirit) that support, inform, and protect us.
10. The Sun Dance Ceremony – Sacrifice oneself to show humility. Pray for healing for the people without distraction and develop the discipline to lead a service life.
11. The N.A.I.C. Sacred Sweat Lodge ( Awúsuua, Amacheekee/ Inipi) Purification Ceremony – Two essential purposes for this ceremony are 1) to remind the participants to honor and respect our place as human beings in nature. 2) to assist the participants in honoring and respecting all of their relatives, especially one’s biological mother and father. 3) To provide a safe and productive space to pray and to work through impeeding negative issues. 4. A support for other healing or ceremonial work such as during “Sun Dance” or “Vision Quest,” Weddings, funerals, and graduations. It may also be arranged for a personal ceremony or healing.
12. The Vision Quest or Hanblecheyapi Ceremony enables human beings to re-remember and understand the mission they had previously committed to achieving before their spirit assumed its earthly body.
13. Adoption of Relatives (Hunka) Ceremony. Native people of all nations have always believed in the ceremonial practice of adding to their circle to strengthen the family, clan, branch, and tribe. Today, we practice this ceremony on a personal and tribal organization and church basis by adding NAIC Authorized LCHT License– Licentiate Medicine Men and Women. Additionally, we practice formal adoption for Authorized Branches made up of our expanding family and elders, regardless of blood quotient.
14. Rite of Baptism in Water – Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Change your thinking.” Stand on the Rock (Peter) instructed them. “and participate in the purification ceremony” that is done in the name of Creator Set Free (Jesus), The Chosen One, representing him and initiating you into his right ways. You will then be healed from your bad hearts, released from your broken ways…” (First Nations Version, New Testament)
Please note: As an independent Church and Native Tribal Organization and Christian Church (F.B.O.), we reserve the right to interpret our community’s religious practices. These interpretations, beliefs, and practices may differ from other tribes, tribal organizations, or indigenous groups. We are not responsible for any apparent or actual differences in our Tribal Org. beliefs and practices following our Native Religion. N.A.I.C. follows the teachings of our respective elders and ministry leaders, the various indigenous peoples who make up our diverse community, and the Bible (Cross Way), as we have every right to do!
N.A.I.C. Articles of Religious Practice
Read About NAIC Philosophy and Reading List!
N.A.I.C. is a fundamental Church!
