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wealth in honor of the occasion； although these were no essential part of
the religious rite。 When the day came to procure the pole； it was brought
in by a party of warriors； headed by some man of distinction。 The tree
selected was six to eight inches in diameter at the base； and twenty to
twenty…five feet high。 It was chosen and felled with some solemnity；
including the ceremony of the 〃filled pipe；〃 and was carried in the fashion
of a litter； symbolizing the body of the man who made the dance。 A
solitary teepee was pitched on a level spot at some distance from the
village； and the pole raised near at hand with the same ceremony； in the
centre of a circular enclosure of fresh…cut boughs。
Meanwhile； one of the most noted of our old men had carved out of
rawhide； or later of wood； two figures； usually those of a man and a
buffalo。 Sometimes the figure of a bird； supposed to represent the
Thunder； was substituted for the buffalo。 It was customary to paint the
man red and the animal black； and each was suspended from one end of
the crossbar which was securely tied some two feet from the top of the
pole。 I have never been able to determine that this cross had any
significance； it was probably nothing more than a dramatic coincidence
that surmounted the Sun…Dance pole with the symbol of Christianity。
The paint indicated that the man who was about to give thanks
publicly had been potentially dead； but was allowed to live by the
mysterious favor and interference of the Giver of Life。 The buffalo hung
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opposite the image of his own body in death； because it was the support of
his physical self； and a leading figure in legendary lore。 Following the
same line of thought； when he emerged from the solitary lodge of
preparation； and approached the pole to dance； nude save for his
breechclout and moccasins； his hair loosened and daubed with clay； he
must drag after him a buffalo skull； representing the grave from which he
had escaped。
The dancer was cut or scarified on the chest； sufficient to draw blood
and cause pain； the natural accompaniments of his figurative death。 He
took his position opposite the singers； facing the pole； and dragging the
skull by leather thongs which were merely fastened about his shoulders。
During a later period； incisions were made in the breast or back；
sometimes both； through which wooden skewers were drawn； and secured
by lariats to the pole or to the skulls。 Thus he danced without
intermission for a day and a night； or even longer； ever gazing at the sun in
the daytime； and blowing from time to time a sacred whistle made from
the bone of a goose's wing。
In recent times； this rite was exaggerated and distorted into a mere
ghastly display of physical strength and endurance under torture； almost
on a level with the Caucasian institution of the bull…fight； or the yet more
modern prize…ring。 Moreover； instead of an atonement or thank…offering；
it became the accompaniment of a prayer for success in war； or in a raid
upon the horses of the enemy。 The number of dancers was increased； and
they were made to hang suspended from the pole by their own flesh；
which they must break loose before being released。 I well remember the
comments in our own home upon the passing of this simple but impressive
ceremony； and its loss of all meaning and propriety under the demoralizing
additions which were some of the fruits of early contact with the white
man。
Perhaps the most remarkable organization ever known among
American Indians； that of the 〃Grand Medicine Lodge；〃 was apparently an
indirect result of the labors of the early Jesuit missionaries。 In it
Caucasian ideas are easily recognizable； and it seems reasonable to
suppose that its founders desired to establish an order that would
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successfully resist the encroachments of the 〃Black Robes。〃 However
that may be； it is an unquestionable fact that the only religious leaders of
any note who have arisen among the native tribes since the advent of the
white man； the 〃Shawnee Prophet〃 in 1762； and the half…breed prophet of
the 〃Ghost Dance〃 in 1890； both founded their claims or prophecies upon
the Gospel story。 Thus in each case an Indian religious revival or craze；
though more or less threatening to the invader； was of distinctively alien
origin。
The Medicine Lodge originated among the Algonquin tribe； and
extended gradually throughout its branches； finally affecting the Sioux of
the Mississippi Valley； and forming a strong bulwark against the work of
the pioneer missionaries； who secured； indeed； scarcely any converts until
after the outbreak of 1862； when subjection； starvation； and imprisonment
turned our broken…hearted people to accept Christianity； which seemed to
offer them the only gleam of kindness or hope。
The order was a secret one； and in some respects not unlike the Free
Masons； being a union or affiliation of a number of lodges； each with its
distinctive songs and medicines。 Leadership was in order of seniority in
degrees； which could only be obtained by merit； and women were
admitted to membership upon equal terms； with the possibility of attaining
to the highest honors。 No person might become a member unless his moral
standing was excellent； all candidates remained on probation for one or
two years； and murderers and adulterers were expelled。 The
commandments promulgated by this order were essentially the same as the
Mosaic Ten； so that it exerted a distinct moral influence； in addition to its
ostensible object； which was instruction in the secrets of legitimate
medicine。
In this society the uses of all curative roots and herbs known to us
were taught exhaustively and practiced mainly by the old； the younger
members being in training to fill the places of those who passed away。
My grandmother was a well…known and successful practitioner； and both
my mother and father were members； but did not practice。
A medicine or 〃mystery feast〃 was not a public affair； as members
only were eligible； and upon these occasions all the 〃medicine bags〃 and
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totems of the various lodges were displayed and their peculiar 〃medicine
songs〃 were sung。 The food was only partaken of by invited guests； and
not by the hosts； or lodge making the feast。 The 〃Grand Medicine
Dance〃 was given on the occasion of initiating those candidates who had
finished their probation； a sufficient number of whom were designated to
take the places of those who had died since the last meeting。 Invitations
were sent out in the form of small bundles of tobacco。 Two very large
teepees were pitched facing one another； a hundred feet apart； half open；
and connected by a roofless hall or colonnade of fresh…cut boughs。 One
of these lodges was for the society giving the dance and the novices； the
other was occupied by the 〃soldiers；〃 whose duty it was to distribute the
refreshments； and to keep order among the spectators。 They were
selected from among the best and bravest warriors of the tribe。
The preparations being complete； and the members of each lodge
garbed and painted according to their rituals； they entered the hall
separately； in single file； led by their oldest man or 〃Great Chief。〃
Standing before the 〃Soldiers' Lodge；〃 facing the setting sun； their