Native American lecture series:Long Island Native American Burial Practices

Saturday, May 10 1PM

Third House, 1929 Montauk Highway, Montauk NY

Please join us for the 4th in our Native American lecture series:

Long Island Native American Burial Practices

Long Island Native American Burial practices and customs vary by tribe, but generally involve preparing the deceased for their spiritual journey. The preparation usually includes several areas: sacred burial site; body care; burial container; smudging; offerings, prayers, song, and dance. Jeannette Edwards Rattray's book, "Montauk: Three Centuries of Romance, Sports, and Adventure, mentions a Montaukett Sacral burial site, "Most graves in the Indian Field Cemetery are marked only by rough field stones, set in circles deep in the tangled grass..."

The cemetery was between Fort Hill, and Signal Hill, the site of the Montauk Manor not far from a large boulder called Council Rock. Council Rock is said to be where Montauketts would hold their meetings and ceremonies. There are many other on- and-off-reservation sacred burial sites throughout the Island. Sacred burial sites were usually close to a Native village, but it's only one part of the funeral customs in preparing the deceased. It is also important to understand that all Native American Tribal Nation' funeral and burial practices are not the same. but there are some similarities! There is a deep bond between the earth and all living creatures. Death is a journey and a continuation of life. Preparing the soul for the spiritual journey, along with the of mourners' funeral rituals, eulogies, and etiquette, as well as the funeral service will be discussed.

SPEAKER: JOSEPHINE SMITH Josephine Smith is an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and resides on the Shinnecock Territory located on eastern Long Island, NY. She has been a cultural educator for more than 45 years. Over those years, Smith has served her Nation as the former director, the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Resources Department; culture and language instructor for the Shinnecock Indian Education Program, as well as education coordinator and events planner for the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum. In the past, Josephine served on the tribal council and continues to serve on the Shinnecock Powwow Committee and Elders Council. She has retired to concentrate on further developing her business, "Hands of Tradition," which specializes in handmade regalia, jewelry, crafts, art and native foods. Josephine Smith is known for her cultural presentations and lectures at schools, libraries. museums. and other institutions throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic, and continues to participate at local, regional, and national powwows.