“Smudging can sometimes be considered somewhat controversial because it is a Native American practice,” agrees Michelle Orwick, a spiritual activator and magical mindset coach.

Prayers followed, with the blowing of a conch shell, then a set of Native American songs: a Chumash welcome song, a Lakota ...

Approximately 20% of Native Americans in the United States identify as Catholic, and more than 340 parishes serve predominantly Native congregations, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic ...

The event opened with smudging, a drum song and a blessing of the "spirit plate" — a Native American prayer to give thanks for the plants and animals that serve as food.