Talk:Shamanism among the Indigenous peoples of the Americas

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Wasn't sure how to add my two cents but I'll do it here. I was reading the page and it has a "dubious-discuss" tag after the statement that many Aboriginal peoples believe in magick. While I can't state with a fact this is ALL Aboriginal people I know from personal experience as an Aboriginal growing up among my own family and occasionally living in Aboriginal communities that I haven't met very many that do not believe in magic. Even those who practice Christiany or Catholicism. I have, on many an occasion, heard people referring to anyone who is "lucky" or, sometimes even just doing better financially or socially than themselves, that this person has to be using "medicine". Sometimes it's just an off-hand comment about "horse-shoes" or an actual out-right accusation. Since "medicine" is only the domain of "Medicine Men" it's considered an evil act to use "medicine" for selfish reasons or personal gain. Smudging is a form of magic for cleansing evil or bad energy from a space, as is burning sweet grass, and most Aboriginal people do this without really thinking about it in magical terms. There are also "sweats" and various other religous practices that actively use what would be considered magic in them. I've also had a relative visit a "psychic doctor" to try and rid himself of cancer, which seeing a Western medicine doctor would make more sense to most. A Medicine man eventually told this relative that a "white doctor" would be the one to eradicate his cancer. Magic is very important on several levels among Aboriginals (at least in Saskatchewan, where I live). I have heard it referred to as Shamanism more frequently though. The word "magic" is never really used as it seems to have a negative connotation with the "White Man's" idea of magic being performed by evil sorcerers and the like. Two cents. Done. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Azriel13 (talk • contribs) 06:52, 23 June 2011 (UTC)

Why was this even split off from Shamanism?
It's short, insubstantial, and since the whole thing is misnamed and misguided, is not going to grow into something better. I think it needs more cleanup and to be put back where it came from. - Slàn, Kathryn NicDhàna  ♫ ♦ ♫ 00:15, 29 January 2014 (UTC) (Or just deleted.) - Slàn, Kathryn NicDhàna  ♫ ♦ ♫ 00:20, 29 January 2014 (UTC)