ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the term "Native American", as it better captures the notion of location-based-culture that is so important to most forms of Native American religiousness. Indeed, the many indigenous peoples of North America practice a great number of distinct religions. Neither census provides an accurate portrait of indigenous populations in the United States and Canada. The chapter derives from fieldwork conducted by the author with knowledgeable Blackfoot elders and ceremonial leaders between 1994 and 2007. The chapter turns toward additional sources to familiarize themselves further with the Blackfeet and with the other Native American culture groups and religions mentioned in the following paragraphs. So far, the reader has heard a bit about Blackfoot medicine bundles, ceremonies, and religious change. All traditional religious insights, including the general ones discussed here as well as those that are more tribally specific, are communicated orally and lived daily by traditional Native Americans.
