Day 10. Naming Ceremonies – Calling Forth Identity and Belonging.
In many Indigenous nations, names carry spirit, story, and purpose. A naming ceremony is not simply a label; it’s an invocation. It calls forth one’s identity and connection to the wider web of life. Names may honor ancestors, describe dreams, or mark transitions in life.
Colonial violence sought to erase Indigenous names through forced renaming and boarding schools. Today, the reclamation of traditional names is an act of sovereignty and healing. Each name restored is a thread rewoven in the tapestry of identity.
“To name something is to love it enough to know it.” – K’egame, Anishinaabe teaching
Colonial Erasure and Healing: The Power of Traditional Names
The historical practice of replacing traditional names with English names in Indigenous boarding schools was a systematic method of cultural genocide and assimilation. It served to sever a child’s ties to their identity, language, family, and community.
Erasure: Names carry deep personal, cultural, and spiritual meaning for Indigenous peoples, often marking significant life events or ancestral ties. The forced removal of these names was an act of colonial violence intended to “kill the Indian in him, and save the man.”
Healing and Decolonization: The modern reclamation of traditional names, whether through personal choice or on official government documents (like passports and birth certificates), is a profound act of sovereignty and cultural resurgence. It is a vital step in the healing process for survivors and their descendants, reasserting Indigenous identity and autonomy that was systematically suppressed.
Affirming Identity: The Power of Pronoun Use
Respect and Dignity: Using a person’s chosen name and pronouns is a sign of fundamental respect, as it honors the individual’s self-determined identity. This practice creates welcoming and inclusive spaces, particularly for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals.
Alignment with Naming: The UU practice of respecting personal pronouns shares a philosophical link with the Indigenous understanding of names as essential to selfhood and belonging.
In all contexts, an individual defining for themselves the language used to refer to them is a non-negotiable step toward honoring their authentic, spiritual self. The decision to use, or not use, certain language (names or pronouns) is seen as an act of personal agency and a matter of profound identity.
Reflection: Indigenous naming traditions reflect a profound spiritual and familial connection to identity, purpose, and the natural world. What does your name, or the name you’ve chosen, teach you about your story?
Learn More
- Cultivating a Rebuilding Movement -The Native Governance Center supports tribal nations in strengthening their sovereignty. Their work, which includes guides on cultural reclamation, empowers communities to restore and center their traditions, including language and naming practices.
- Repairing Harm and Reclaiming Indigenous Identity through Names – Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report, the government implemented a call to action to help Indigenous Peoples reclaim their identity. This video reports on the cultural importance of Indigenous naming traditions and the profound impact of reclaiming these names on individual and community identity.
- Reclaiming an Indigenous Name: My name is Kantuta – a meaningful story from the Aymara people and reflections on what it means to reclaim identity. Published by Worlds of Education.
- The Power of Pronoun Use: Affirming a person’s chosen name and pronouns is a Unitarian Universalist practice of respecting inherent worth and dignity, aligning with the Indigenous understanding that names are essential to selfhood and belonging.
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