| Algonquin speaking people include the Cree, | | | | Each person makes a declaration that they |
| the Ojibwa or Chippewa, the Ottawa, the | | | | choose to be known as husband and wife. Then |
| Montagnais, the Naskapi and others. | | | | they smoke from the pipe. Tobacco is offered |
| | | | and accepted by the official. At the |
| When a young man chooses a mate in the old | | | | ceremony, the sponsors make a commitment to |
| way, he went with her family (matriarch | | | | help the couple. |
| society). The custom was usually determined | | | | |
| by the growing season. In warmer climates, | | | | Algonquin Wedding Attire |
| where women would raise crops to support the | | | | |
| families, they were considered the providers. | | | | Brides, grooms and sponsors dress in regalia |
| In cooler climates where families subsisted | | | | - traditional clothing, usually made by hand. |
| on hunting performed by the men, the | | | | The bride will wash herself in a body of |
| communities were considered patriarchal. | | | | water (lake, river, ocean, pond) the morning |
| | | | of her union in order to be blessed by the |
| Algonquin Marriage Requirements | | | | spirit of the Earth. |
| | | | |
| The couple may be required to perform certain | | | | Algonquin Wedding Festivities |
| responsibilities in preparation for their | | | | |
| wedding. These responsibilities are | | | | A wedding is a time of celebration. Everyone |
| determined by the officiant. In addition, the | | | | is invited by word of mouth unless they live |
| bride and groom must choose sponsors. | | | | outside the community. There is no formal |
| | | | invitation. There is feasting, visiting and a |
| The bridal couple has four sponsors. Sponsors | | | | giveaway. |
| are older, well respected persons chosen by | | | | |
| the bride and groom. The sponsors are to give | | | | Food items for the feast include fry bread, |
| spiritual and marital guidance to the couple | | | | venison (deer meat), squash, beans, corn, |
| throughout their lifetime. At the ceremony, | | | | corn soup, potato soup and many desserts. |
| the sponsors make a commitment to help the | | | | Fresh fruits such as blueberries, |
| couple. | | | | raspberries, and the 'heart' berry, |
| | | | strawberries, are served if available. There |
| Algonquin Marriage Ceremony | | | | may also be a wedding cake. In a traditional |
| | | | wedding, the food is placed on a blanket, |
| Ceremonies are preferably outside, or in a | | | | served buffet style. |
| ceremonial lodge or under an arbor. Their | | | | |
| commitment is to the Creator, to God. There | | | | The food is blessed. The Elders and the |
| is no breaking that commitment, and no | | | | official will eat first, then the bride, |
| divorce. | | | | groom, sponsors and other guests. None of the |
| | | | food is wasted. All of the food is either |
| The Pipe Carrier, the official, makes sure | | | | eaten or given away to the Elders. |
| they are well aware of this commitment. If | | | | |
| the couple separates and goes their separate | | | | Algonquin Giveaway |
| ways, in the eyes of the Creator, they are | | | | |
| still husband and wife. The Pipe Carrier will | | | | In preparation for the Giveaway, the future |
| not perform the ceremony unless the couple is | | | | bride and groom make (or buy) hundreds of |
| very serious. | | | | gifts. A gift will be given to each person |
| | | | attending the celebration. |