Wounded Knee is among the worst massacres in Native American history, when in 1890 the US military shot and killed 146 unarmed men, women and children in South Dakota.
The Blackfeet always faced their tipis towards the rising sun, including on winter solstice.
Beinecke Library via Wikimedia Commons
For indigenous peoples, winter solstice has been a time to honor their ancient sun deity. Their rituals reveal a deep understanding of the natural world.
Dance is a unique way of passing on cultural stories to a younger generation.
Aaron Hawkins/Flickr.com
Historically, indigenous peoples used the natural seasonal cycles of weather, plants and animals as part of their religious calendar. What will be the impact of climate change on their practices?
A Menominee Tribal biology class in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Follow
Native American scholars joined in the global March for Science. Their science blends seamlessly with beliefs.
A woman holds Pope Francis’ head during his meeting with representatives of indigenous peoples at the Vatican on Feb. 15, 2017.
L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP
Pope Francis appears to have defended Native American protests on the North Dakota pipeline issue. Indigenous cultures have a right to defend ‘their ancestral relationship to the Earth,’ he said.