| Native Americans enjoy a strong and rich | | | | Cherokee Blessing |
| cultural heritage that still permeates many | | | | |
| parts of their everyday lives, and | | | | God in heaven above please protect the ones |
| particularly of those special moments. Many | | | | we love. |
| young Native Americans want a ceremony that | | | | |
| not only keeps with modern traditions and | | | | We honor all you created as we pledge our |
| celebrations, but that also includes a | | | | hearts and lives together. |
| connection to their heritage, to make their | | | | |
| wedding a cultural event that honors both the | | | | We honor mother-earth - and ask for our |
| present celebration and the past. | | | | marriage to be abundant and grow stronger |
| | | | through the seasons; |
| There are many online resources to find some | | | | |
| traditional, or "modern traditional" | | | | We honor fire - and ask that our union be |
| blessings and vows that are individual to a | | | | warm and glowing with love in our hearts; |
| tribe. Soon to be newlyweds who are Native | | | | |
| American could talk to a local tribal | | | | We honor wind - and ask we sail though life |
| council, or other resources to find something | | | | safe and calm as in our father's arms; |
| suitable. There are websites with long lists | | | | |
| of ceremonies that do not seem to be solely | | | | We honor water - to clean and soothe our |
| for one group. Two of the most beautiful | | | | relationship - that it may never thirsts for |
| Native blessings are the Apache and the | | | | love; |
| Cherokee, and example of each which follows: | | | | |
| | | | With all the forces of the universe you |
| Apache Blessing | | | | created, we pray for harmony and true |
| | | | happiness as we forever grow young together. |
| "Now you will feel no rain, for each of you | | | | |
| will be shelter for the other. Now you will | | | | Amen. |
| feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth | | | | |
| to the other. Now there will be no | | | | These are only two of many examples of what |
| loneliness, for each of you will be companion | | | | is available, and this is not just limited to |
| to the other. Now you are two persons, but | | | | Native Americans. There are Medieval |
| there is only one life before you. May beauty | | | | ceremonies, old Celtic or Celtic Christian |
| surround you both in the journey ahead and | | | | ceremonies. As more and more people become |
| through all the years, May happiness be your | | | | interested in their backgrounds, the demand |
| companion and your days together be good and | | | | for these traditional vows increase, and add |
| long upon the earth." | | | | a beauty, elegance, and tradition to the |
| | | | ceremony that all can admire. |