Re: Owls in Native American cultures.
I am going to (pre) apologize before this comment. Because I can’t find my reliable link on the first statement and cant find an internet reference to a second comment that I recall from a book.
First is, because of the numerous tribes, some closely tied to others and some with no connections, the belief systems of Native Americans were widely varied. With the rise of interest in new age spirituality in the latter half of the 20th century many beliefs were clumped together piecemeal to make it sound as if all groups held the same “religion.”
Which leads to comment 2. While some tribes reportedly held the owl as a harbinger of death, other tribes did not place that significance on the owl. That part comes from a book I read that my family owned or used to own that examined the differences between the different native beliefs. I did a quick search trying to find the book so I could at least reference that.
I have some family background, not me just relatives, of people doing missions outreach to various reservations. Research was done on the varying differences because it’s highly offensive to the few who are actually knowledgeable about their own culture for even a medical missions helper to assume they were all the same. I read the books because I just love studying American history.
If you want further research or links I can look further but after quite a bit of clicking about on links I didn’t find the guy I was looking for and I dont have the book. If we had this rabbit hole earmarked as important I could dig out lots. I’m pretty certain my dad or one of his brothers has the book spelling out which groups attested to which signs of death/evil etc.
I appreciate that background and insight, Wneighbor. I think belief systems of all peoples are interesting.
I understand and am grateful that you are willing to plunge into that bunny hole...but as you say, the likelihood is that it is not highly urgent to do so for our Q purposes. We do have to prioritize don’t we.... or should! :=D