Cultural Beliefs & Birthing
The Sacred Path Begins
We invite you to watch this heartfelt video to learn more about the sacred journey of babies from the Creator’s Land to earth side. Discover the beautiful traditions, teachings, and ceremonies that honor new life and reflect the deep spiritual connections in Native culture.
Welcoming Babies with Love and Tradition
In Native American culture, babies are sacred gifts from the Creator who choose their parents before arriving Earth side through the eastern doorway. Their first touch is with moss to connect them to Mother Earth, followed by skin-to-skin contact to bond with their mother. Families and communities celebrate the baby’s arrival with a feast and gifts, and the first bath is a traditional bath of cedar water after the natural vernix fades. Both mother and father are seen as carrying the baby, who begins a spiritual journey through the 7 stages of life to fulfill their purpose given by the Creator.
- What role does the Creator play in the arrival of babies, according to this belief system?
- Why is moss used as the first point of contact for babies when they arrive Earth side?
- How does the community celebrate the arrival of a child?
- Why are babies not bathed immediately after birth, and what is the significance of the cedar bath?
- What does it mean when it is said that both the mother and father are pregnant?
- What is the importance of having a natural birth?
- Why were men traditionally not allowed to witness the birth, and how might this differ today?
Each story holds wisdom—continue learning with us.