“Burial of the dead was usually on platforms lashed to the limbs of trees beyond the reach of wolves. Securely wrapped in buffalo robes, firmly bound with rawhide thongs, the bodies were safe from ravens, crows, and magpies. Weapons and… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“The girls were taught by their mothers and grandmothers to look seriously upon life, to shun the frivolous, and to avoid giggling. With the Blackfeet, women “gave” the sun-dances, the most sacred of their religious ceremonies; and because the “givers”… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“Hereditary leadership was unknown. Men became chiefs by their prowess in war; and because he must ever be generous, a chief was usually a poor man. With the Blackfeet, as with the other Indians of the Northwestern plains, a chieftainship had to be maintained by constant demonstration of personal ability. It might easily be lost in a single day, since… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share
“From the host’s place at the “head” of a lodge his sons sat at his left, according to age; his wives, and their visiting women friends, on his right. A male guest, upon entering a lodge, turned to his right, around the lodge-fire, and was promptly assigned a seat on the host’s left, according to his rank as a warrior.… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share
“Now, to steal horses, their raiding parties ranged over the endless grass-lands far toward the south, old warriors say even into the Spanish possessions. Often these raiders were absent for two years; and nearly always they were successful. Their pony-bands grew until men measured their wealth in horses. Meat, their principal food, was easily obtained; and yet these people did… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share
“There was little sickness, since the daily lives of the plains Indians kept them in perfect physical condition. Sunrise saw most of the men… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“Girls were warned by their mothers against infidelity to their husbands, since adultery cost a married woman her nose, or ears; for a second offense she was killed by her brothers, or first cousins, upon formal complaint by her husband. By tribal law murder was punished by death, or by stripping the murderer of all property for the benefit of… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share
“Burial of the dead was usually on platforms lashed to the limbs of trees beyond the reach of wolves. Securely wrapped in buffalo robes,… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“The men were thorough sportsmen, loving horse-racing, foot-racing, and gambling. They were graceful winners, and good losers in games of chance. And they were… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“The power of endurance of the plains Indians has always been beyond comprehension by white men. These tribesmen hunted, feasted, gambled, and eagerly made… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“Children were often named by their grandparents, or other aged relations, dreams usually suggesting the names chosen. Sometimes the one commissioned for the office… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“Smoking was a sacred ceremony. Old plains Indians sealed oaths and agreements with the pipe. In smoking, the host or master of ceremonies, filled… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“Beyond the gift of horses or goods to the woman's father there was no ceremony, and little formality, in a plural marriage. A man's… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
“Blackfeet! No tribal name appears oftener in the history of the Northwestern plains; no other is so indelibly written into the meager records of… — Frank Bird Linderman Copy Share Image
