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