There are three basic forms of the sweat bath are indigenous to North America:

• the hot rock method, used by the Navajos and Sioux
• the direct fire chamber, heated by blazing logs
• a more sophisticated type relying on a heating duct system believed to be of Mayan origin - like a sauna.

The "Inipi" or "Sweat Lodge" usually occurs before and after every other major rituals like the 'Sundance' and Vision Quest.

It is also a "stand alone" ritual meaning that it occurs whenever it is needed.

It is a form of healing.

It's origional purpose was to cleanse or purify individuals.

Mother sweat lodge essentially translates into returning to the womb.

This ceremony was given to the men by the women because women already had their 'moon time' each month and thus had the ability to cleanse themselves.

These days women sweat also, but according to the views of the elder running the ceremony they may have to sweat separately from the men.

The traditionals want men to sweat separately from the woman.

The reason for this is that there are separate views within the community.

Everything is done in the exact same way as in the old days.

Opening prayers are done outside the lodge and the the elder enters. In our case the lodge door faces East as this is where everything starts.

The Woman enter next and move clockwise around the pit in the center of the lodge and sit in the North facing the South.

The men then enter and sit in the South facing the North. We sit on flat cedar bows that are cut fresh every week.

When the elder is ready - the grandfathers enter.

The first five stones must be brought in on the pitchfork one at a time. As each enters medicines are put on them like cedar, sage, sweetgrass, etc. each having a very different healing property.

The lodge begins to heat up and fill with beautiful smells.

The first grandfather that enters is placed in the center to represent the Creator.

The first stone is placed as the center stone.

The second is placed in the East and touches the center stone. The Eastern direction is the Eagle. The color is yellow and the season is Spring. The East is the spiritual direction and the Eagle is strong carrying our prayers to "Great Spirit."

The third rock is placed in the South folowing the same protocol. The season is summer. The color is Red. The spirit keeper is the Coyote or Wolf. The jumping mouse also sits in the south. This direction is the one of love, emotion, community and introspection.

The forth stone is placed in the West. The season is Fall. The color is Black.

The Medicine Bear sits here and represents both the phyiscal strength and healing. The bear brings the healing to the people and is very powerful. My Grandfather's totem is the "Grizzly Bear."

The fifth stone is placed in the North. The color is White. The season is winter. The Great White Buffalo sits here as does the Salmon. This is the direction of Wisdom and of sacrifice. This is where the elders sit. The buffalo and the salmon sacrificed themselves so the people could live and will always be greatly respected for that. In the end all we can offer that is truly ours is our flesh which is why we pierce at the sundance but that is an entirely different story.

After the first 5 rocks have entered the next 7 are brought to make a total of 12. The number 12 is very significant. There are 12 moons, 12 tail feathers on the eagle, 12 months and so on. Next the water bucket is brought in and passed to the elder.

The door is then closed and the prayers begin.

A pipe is passed around. The Pipe holder asks the Spirits to come and join in the smoking of the Pipe. Only men smoke the pipe. Instead, women are touched upon the brow, and this is how they send their messages to the creator. Medicine Women may smoke their own pipes and often have thier own rituals that men cannot perform.

The two main parts of the pipe that hold special symbolic value as do the materials used in their construction, Pipe-stone (bowl) and the wooden portion of the Pipe (stem). The joining of the two is considered a metaphorical marriage of Mother Earth and the creatures that inhabit the Earth.

This is the main ideology behind the two materials joining and becoming one. The male portion is symbolized as the wood used in the stem. The wood symbolizes the connection between all the living things that inhabit the Earth. The wooden portion joins the stone portion similar to a male joining with the female.

The Pipes themselves are adorned with elaborately shaped bowls resembling the Pipe holders Totem and Spirit guides. They are painted with colors depicting special meanings and feathers, adding an animal presence. Beads are mainly used for decoration but the colors have symbolic value.

Each round twelve rock are added so by the end 48 have come in and two are left in the fire to represent Mother Earth and Father Sky. Each of the 4 round has a different meaning.

In the first round they honor and pray for the female aspect of life.

In the second round we honor the male aspect.

The third round is the healing round and the forth round is the one for ourselves.

At the end of each round the door is opened and the next set of 12 are brought in. There are songs, stories, teachings and prayers in each round as well as opening and closing songs.

When everything is over the people exit the lodge. It is very important to note that it is a great honor to be invited to a sweat and that this ceremony was given to the First Nations People.

Many Native People have now come to a point where thay are willing to included non-natives because the Creator sees no color.

The 4 directions are also the four faces of man ie: Yellow, red, Black and White.

If you are invited to a sweat it is important to know why you are personally going.

You need to take the Elder an offering as an act of repsect - Medicines, Tobacco, food, anything that has meaning and hand it to them while you are shaking their hand. The tobacco used in the Pipe is brought by the people who asked for the ceremony. It is their gift for the Spirits to come and guide the Medicine Man throughout the ceremony. Exactly four pinches of tobacco are used and must fill up the bowl at the end of the fourth pinch. These pinches of the tobacco are held out to the Four Directions to call forth the Spirits to accept the offering and hear their plea for guidance.

You tell them why you have come.

These Elders do this work without charging a fee.

No one will every turn away anyone who does not bring an offering.

If you go to a sweat go early and offer to help. Watch what is being done and do it.

The firekeeper will let you know if they don't want your help but most will be glad to see you maing an effort and completing the circle.

When you come out of the sweat drink lots of water and cool off in the river or ocean depending on where you are.