My family members, my clan, gathers for the naming ceremony for one of our daughters.  She is a year old and will not remember this special ceremony in her honor.  Her grandfather speaks in his native language, Potawatomi, as he calls to the Creator and to all that the Creator has made.  The little girl’s grandfather holds her in his arms as he bestows her Indian name upon her.

As the child is given back to her mother, the child’s grandfather continues with the ceremony.  The name he gave to his granddaughter is of the Thunderbird Clan.  Within this family’s naming ceremony, ancestor names are carried down to the new generation so that those who have passed are remembered and honored.

I describe my own naming ceremony.  I have asked my mother questions on different occasions about that time in our lives.  As I grow older, I become curious about the ceremony itself, how my name was selected, what the feast was like, what gifts were given.  I received my Indian name at such a young age that the name has become a part of me just as much as my English name and the breath that I take. (more about this in a future blog article)

My full Indian name in Potawatomi is Bneshiqwe.  The English translation is Bird Woman. My grandfather, my Misho, shortened my name to the nick name of Neshi.  He passed away 28 years ago. After he was gone, I heard my name infrequently.  My mother calls me Neshi on rare occasion but generally writes in my birthday cards.

On Monday night, I was one of the 700,00+ attendees of the Oprah and Eckhart Tolle’s New Earth Webinar.  As they discussed the ego and labels, my thoughts drifted to our individual names.  I also had a passing thought about the  nurmerology of our names and how much numerology identifies our physical life.  More importantly, I thought about my Indian name and other non-native people who I know who have received a Spirit name.

If I received my Indian name at such a young age that I identify with a clan and totem, according to Mr. Tolle, who I am becomes entangled with the identity of a bird. Once we name or label a physical object we attach to the mental concept rahter than the essence of the object.

Following this train of thought…then, Iam called Neshi, rather than I am Neshi.  I really get that concept.  Most Native American Nations have a belief system that all things are a live and have a Spirit as we all come from the Creator/Spirit, we are connected to Spirit.  This concept of Mr. Tolle’s helps to explain how we honor and respect the life essence of all things.  How cool is that?!

Thank you for reading Between the Beats.  Migwiitch, Neshi.

All Rights Reserved.  Copyright, Yvette Neshi Lokotz, March 2008.