1990: The Native American Languages ... Yellowhair lived in a home without running water … There are currently 566 recognized Native American tribes within the U.S. alone, each has a unique language, culture, and religion. The native american religion combined elements of Christianity with Native beliefs. There is no single “Native American Religion”, or church hierarchy. These belief's were in existence long before Christianity and served the people who practiced them in good stead through many centuries. There is no central figure like Moses, Jesus, Muhammad or Buddha, nor is there a central holy book in Native American Religious tradition. https://www.slideshare.net/IanZabarte/native-american-belief-in-water-102015 Native Americans saw the world in a different way than most other peoples, they believed that everything and person possess a spirit, this fact makes Native Americans different from any other tribes or peoples. Native Americans were not passive parts of the wilderness but intelligently used fire to increase its generosity. The Diversity of Native American Religion. It rejected white-American culture, which made it difficult to control the “tribes” by the United States. Title: NATIVE AMERICANS AND NATURE: VIEWS … [iii] While, of course, they do not now exist as completely separate and divided groups, and the people who belong to those tribes live anywhere they want, they still do carry some rather distinct religious beliefs and … Today, there are 573 recognized Native American tribes according to both federal and state governments in the United States. Along with that they have a unique methods of child rearing. The Great Spirit was the principal deity in the religion of many Native American people. This was largely due to uranium mining and coal mining. The use of symbols in Native American tribes differs from one tribe to another. Many of these groups had their own beliefs though many of them were similar in the major aspects. The Navajo Native American communities have been dealing with contaminated drinking water since the early 1950's. 500 nations of Native Americans, each having their own separate customs, language, culture, set of beliefs and religious practices. In Native American beliefs, the moon is a protector. This is the first-time Native Americans are legally allowed to practice their traditional beliefs. ... Circle Symbols (Four Elements, Water, Earth, Air, Sun) The circle symbols represents the cycle of the seasons. From these Four Directions — west, north, east, south — come the four winds. To add to the issue there are currently over 15,000 toxic abandoned uranium mines throughout the US. The special meanings of each of the Four Directions are accompanied by specific colors, and the shape of the cross symbolizes all directions. Like many Native American beliefs and traditions, specific details regarding colors associated with directions varies. Hand Or Handprint. The symbol of the moon means many things depending on the season, the harvest, and when in combination with other symbols, but its overall meaning is that of serenity and protection. The symbol represents the eye of the higher power watching over humankind.