Ancient Native American ceremony heals body, spirit

July 2004

Breaking ground for the sweat lodge.

Native American song, music and prayer saturated the grounds at Oregon State Hospital last week as patients and staff gathered to help construct — and celebrate — the first sweat lodge at OSH in 20 years. "The sweat lodge ceremony is basically a purification ritual — a time of prayer and reflection," explains Gail Mason, Ph.D., an Ojibway Indian and psychologist resident at OSH. "It's medicine that's both spiritual and physical in nature. When we enter the lodge we pull negativity from our body. We let go of our grief and anger, and heal from the tragedies and trauma that hold us back from being whole." An ancient ceremony The lodge is built from 16 willows that are bent over into a half circle, representing the 16 ribs in a woman's body. Covered by blankets, it contains a fire pit on the east side — the place of renewal — and cedar boughs and herbs gathered by patients cover the ground inside. Water is poured over fire-heated stones generating steam and heat. As the temperature rises, the participant's body sweat is pulled into the ground.

"It's a ceremony that's designed to bring us intimately in balance with life — so we're in harmony with nature," says Mason. "The Creator will bless the sweat and it will come back as blessings in the form of clean air, clean water, plants and animals — all life that sustains us.

"Native Americans with mental illness believe they have one foot in the spirit world. But we have to remember — they have a right to heal. They have a right to enter the lodge and keep themselves grounded."

Bridging cultures The day-long celebration was rich with ritual including Native American dress, drumming, and "smudging" — a purification ceremony performed with burning white sage. Mason says there were many, many patients and family members who worked hard to make this project happen. But she adds, "This sweat lodge is not just for Native Americans. It 's all inclusive and for the use of all patients and staff which will help bridge the many cultures at the hospital."

Gail Mason "smudges" OSH employee Wendy Puckett.

Gail Mason, OSH Superintendent Marvin Fickle and Bill WhiteEagle Wilson

"This is really good for everyone here," says OSH Superintendent Marvin Fickle, M.D. "It's helping people to reconnect with their cultural roots, to practice their own personal spirituality and to connect with others within their own community. It empowers people with a sense of dignity and honor — 'I'm not just a person with mental problems — I can do the things that help me recover.'"

Bill WhiteEagle Wilson blesses participant.

"The sweat heals…" Bill WhiteEagle Wilson, a medicine man from the Cherokee and Wyndotte tribes, came to bless all who participated in the day's events. "The sweat heals," he says. "All of you no matter what religion you are — are part of us. We bless each of you and your families, and we pray that you will be well and whole — and that the children learn much from us before we go away. And so it is."

Native drumming and song fills the air

— Nadine Jelsing, DHS Office of Public Affairs, (503) 945-5950; email nadine.jelsing@state.or.us

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