Native American religion penetrated every aspect of their
             culture. This makes it difficult for a predominantly white, European,
             secular society to interpret Native Indian spirituality. There is no
             single Native American religion, but rather as many religions as there
             are Indian peoples. Religion and ritual were a function of all activity:
             from the food quest and other survival-related work to technology,
             social and political organization, warfare and art. Religion and magic
             were fused with practical science; for example, prayer was used in
             conjunction with hunting and fishing techniques, and incantations
             accompanied effective herbal remedies in the curing of disease. I
             would like to elucidate on Native American views in relation to their
             As stated by Lester Kurtz, "In a structurally differentiated
             society, every institution is given a specialized task; the task of
             religious institutions is to tend to spiritual and ethical issues" (167).
             Religion played a prominent role in the interpretation of the universe
             for the American Indians. It facilitated in the adaptation of human
             activity to the patters of nature. Indians were traditionally a holistic
             and reverent people, viewing themselves as extensions of animate
             In addition to this holism, other generalizations can be made in
             regard to Indian religion. Part of the special intimate relationship with
             nature involved a sense of kinship with the natural world and the
             attribution of innate souls and human properties to plants, animals,
             inanimate objects and natural phenomena. Indian religion generally
             also involved the belief that the universe is suffused with
             preternatural forces and powerful spirits.
             From what tribal populations already know, historians can
             conclude there are common characteristics that seem to be shared by
             all of the Native Americans. Although there are many points of
             contrast, the beliefs of Native Amer...