Dancers and Warriors

He carries a deerskin shield cover decorated with feathers and the image of a sacred green turtle, which according to Cheyenne tradition supports the earth on its back. A cover like this was not removed from the shield during combat because its design was thought to be powerful medicine that would protect the warrior from harm. Learn More

The Anidzogohi, or Wolf Clan, in ancient days hunted like wolves, running after game and attacking in packs. They were fond of wolves and raised them in captivity, training wolf pups just as dogs were trained. It was considered bad luck to kill a wolf. Learn More

The Sun Dance used warrior-related objects because the dancers were usually actual warriors who were dancing to fulfill their vows. The Crow shield is painted with red circles which represent sun halos-the circles seen around the sun when a storm was coming. The black dashes are pieces of a man so small his enemies cannot touch him. Learn More

Among all the creatures that appear in stories about Indian history, none appears more frequently than the coyote, an animal Indians all across western North America universally respect for its supreme cunningness and remarkable ability to survive in all kinds of environments. Dancers dance to fulfill religious vows, to obtain or celebrate power or protection, or to bring blessings upon themselves or their relatives, or their people. Learn More

The Blackfeet Indians had a Braves' Society that chose two men every year to serve as "Grizzly Bear Men." These men had to be fierce warriors who fought like grizzly bears, always charging at the enemy.

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". . . I have never called a White Man a dog, but today, I do pronounce them to be a set of black-hearted dogs . . . I have been in many battles, and often wounded, but the wounds of my enemies I exalt in . . . I do not fear Death, my friends. You know it, but to die with my face rotten, that even wolves will shrink with horror at seeing me . . . Listen well what I have to say, as it will be the last time you will hear me. Think of your wives, children, brothers, sisters, friends, and in fact all that you hold dear—all are dead, or dying, with their faces all rotten, caused by those dogs—the whites. Think of all that, my friends, and rise all together and not leave one of them alive."
-- Äî The speech of The Four Bears of the Mandan, dying of smallpox, August 1837 Learn More