The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada - Bad Request

170 Pages·2011·10.19 MB·English

by  Farhan Iqbal

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The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada
Farhan Iqbal
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JĀMI‘A AHMADIYYA NORTH AMERICA
THE AHMADIYYA INSTITUTE OF ISLĀMIC STUDIES

THE ABORIGINAL PEOPLES OF CANADA
Aboriginal Spirituality in Comparison with Islāmic Theology

A DISSERTATION
PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GRANT OF THE
SHAHID DEGREE
BY
FARHAN IQBAL
Research conducted from March 2009 to May 2010
SUPERVISORS
MAULĀNĀ NASEEM MAHDI SĀHIB
DR. IJAZ A. RAUF SĀHIB

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To:
My mother, Nausheen Iqbal, and
my father, Muhammad Iqbal

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“O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you into tribes
and sub-tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the
sight of Allāh, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allāh is All-knowing, All-
Aware”.
—The Holy Qur’ān 49:14

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PREFACE ....................................................................................................................................... ix
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1
Terminology .......................................................................................................................... 3
AN OVERVIEW OF ABORIGINAL STUDIES ............................................................................. 5
Culture Areas ........................................................................................................................ 5
Language Groups .................................................................................................................. 6
The Origins ............................................................................................................................ 9
The Current Situation ......................................................................................................... 10
The Revival .......................................................................................................................... 19
UNDERSTANDING ABORIGINAL RELIGIONS ...................................................................... 21
The Oral Tradition .............................................................................................................. 21
The Basic Concepts ............................................................................................................. 23
World Creation ................................................................................................................... 24
The Spirit World ................................................................................................................. 26
The Vision Quest ................................................................................................................. 27
Religious Ceremonies and Rituals ....................................................................................... 28
Christian Influence and Residential Schools ....................................................................... 30
Revivalist Movements ......................................................................................................... 32
The Changing Times ........................................................................................................... 35
The Ojibway ........................................................................................................................ 36
The Iroquois ........................................................................................................................ 37
The Cree .............................................................................................................................. 39
THE CONCEPT OF GOD ............................................................................................................ 41
Kitchi-Manitou .................................................................................................................... 42
Muzzu-Kummik-Quae ......................................................................................................... 45
Shongwàyadíhs:on ............................................................................................................... 48
Kisemanitōw ........................................................................................................................ 50
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The Benefits of this Study .................................................................................................... 51
THE CONCEPT OF ANGELS...................................................................................................... 53
The Manitous ...................................................................................................................... 54
The Good Spirit and the Evil Spirit ..................................................................................... 59
Dah-gwa-nonh-en-yend ....................................................................................................... 62
Ātayōhkanak and the Shaking Lodge Ceremony ................................................................ 63
Pawākan .............................................................................................................................. 65
Macimanitōw ....................................................................................................................... 66
Contrasts and Similarities ................................................................................................... 67
MORAL TEACHINGS ................................................................................................................. 68
The Legends of the Ojibway ................................................................................................ 70
The Gaiwí:yo ........................................................................................................................ 72
Sacred Stories of the Cree .................................................................................................... 75
Universality ......................................................................................................................... 77
DIVINE GUIDANCE AND PROPHETS ..................................................................................... 78
Culture Heroes of the Ojibway ............................................................................................ 81
Nana’b’oozoo speaks to Kitchi-Manitou ............................................................................. 81
Cheeby-aub-oozoo’s Vision ................................................................................................ 82
Handsome Lake ................................................................................................................... 85
Belief about Jesus Christ as ................................................................................................... 86
The Islāmic Perspective ....................................................................................................... 86
Wīsahkēcāhk ....................................................................................................................... 89
Abishabis ............................................................................................................................. 89
The Difficulty of Judgement ................................................................................................ 91
THE AFTER LIFE ......................................................................................................................... 92
The Story of Pauguk ............................................................................................................ 93
Handsome Lake’s Sky Journey ............................................................................................ 95
The Soul ............................................................................................................................... 97
The Knowledge of the Holy Qur’ān .................................................................................... 99
ABORIGINAL RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE TODAY ................................................................ 100
Interview with Mr. Frank Sutherland ............................................................................... 100
The Four Levels of Prayer ......................................................................................................... 101
Moral Teachings and Significance of the Four Directions ............................................. 102
The Path of Life ............................................................................................................................ 104
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The Seven Grandfathers ............................................................................................................ 104
Wanabozho – A Spiritual Guide of the Ojibway ............................................................... 105
The Vastness and Nature of Religious Knowledge ........................................................... 106
The Role of Tobacco ................................................................................................................... 106
The Period of Revival ................................................................................................................. 107
Interview with Mr. Tom Deer ........................................................................................... 108
Perception of the Sun and the Moon ..................................................................................... 110
The Concept of Spirits ............................................................................................................... 110
The Original Teachings and the Four Sacred Ceremonies ............................................. 110
The Spirit of the Wind ............................................................................................................... 111
Handsome Lake ........................................................................................................................... 112
Prophecy of the Return of Deganawidah ............................................................................. 112
Prophecies of Handsome Lake ................................................................................................ 113
Other Messengers ........................................................................................................................ 114
The Annual Recitals ................................................................................................................... 115
THE FUTURE ............................................................................................................................ 117
The Seven Fires Prophecies ............................................................................................... 118
The Return of Deganawidah ............................................................................................. 120
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ............................................................................ 124
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................. 125
BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................ 141

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The idea for this project was first placed in my mind by my teacher, Rashid Yahyah sāhib,
Vice Principal Jāmi‘a Ahmadiyya North America, and it greatly attracted my attention because it
gave me the opportunity to perform a very unique type of research. I was also inspired by the
work of Hadhrat Mirzā Tāhir Ahmad rh who analyzed the beliefs of the Aborigines of Australia
in his book, Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth. As far as the Aboriginal faiths of
Canada are concerned, very little serious work has been done in understanding them from an
Islāmic perspective. This project is a humble effort to initiate and encourage research that can
lead to positive interactions between Muslims and Aboriginals.
I would like to acknowledge the help of Naseem Mahdi sāhib, former Nā’ib Amir I and
Missionary In charge of Canada and currently the Missionary In charge of U.S.A., for his
insight, wisdom and guidance, that helped me choose the right direction for my research. I also
acknowledge the help of Dr. Ijaz Rauf sāhib, National Secretary Ta‘līm, who guided me in
writing this thesis with the right approach and focus. It was his suggestion that led to the
analysis of Aboriginal spirituality from the perspective of the fundamental articles of faith in
Islām.
My gratitude also goes to my teachers, Hadi Ali Chaudhary sāhib, Vice Principal Jāmi‘a
Ahmadiyya North America, for giving me very useful suggestions at various points of research,
and Mukhtar Cheema sāhib, Professor Jāmi‘a Ahmadiyya North America, for providing useful
information. I also thank the Aboriginal interviewees, Mr. Frank Sutherland, a Métis Elder, and
Mr. Tom Deer, an adherent of the Longhouse religion, for sharing personal information about
their faiths.
May Allāh Ta‘ālā make this project a significant addition to the literature of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and th\e field of comparative studies of religion. Āmīn!
Thumma Āmīn!
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O my Lord, increase me in knowledge. Āmīn!
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