Members of this society must have scientific knowledge of the behavior of the Buffalo, they would have to know the migratory routes of the herd, the calving of the cows, the Ceremonies, songs, celebrations and other information that would help the Band succeed in the hunting of the Buffalo.
The Buffalo provided a livelihood for the Plains People, as a source for Food, Shelter, and clothing, as well as numerous other uses.
The Buffalo Society membership required the Knowledge of Ceremonial procedures that had to be done exactly as they had been practised since time immemorial, so that the Buffalo Spirit would be appeased and not be angry and stop providing.
Children were identified for mentorship for the Buffalo Society by Elders in the Band, the child or children (often a boy and a girl) would than be taught by members of the society. As a survival tactic, two students would be chosen every year for study just in case one student could not complete training.
The members of the Buffalo Society managed the Buffalo Hunt according to traditional laws as governed by the Creator, the time for the hunt was scheduled around the migrations of the Buffalo, usually during the fall. Band members knew their role in the hunt and obeyed direction of the society. To disobey laws could endanger the whole band and the hunt could be disastrous, there were of course Tribal Police that would ensure that all band members followed rules.
The Buffalo Society have a very important role in the band, this position required yearly ceremonies and yearly sacrifices have to be made. The survival of the Band was dependant on the expertise of the Buffalo Society, the transfer of knowledge to a prospective member was a lifelong learning process.
The Buffalo Society members would have headdresses made from Weasel tails and Buffalo Horns, the hat was worn on special occasions, to own a headdress is equivalent in today's standards to a Doctorate Degree. The Band allowed only one or two people from the band to make the Headdresses - if a person made a headdress without protocol chances are they would be severely punished or in severe instances would be banished from the band.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
First Nations Family Groups
First Nations in Saskatchewan formed in groups called "Bands", these were made of related families, the reason for this is to ensure that everyone was well looked after. Every person had a role that was essential to the survival of the People, from the babies, toddlers, adolescents, adults, to the Elderly, each had to do their part to make sure that the Band could sustain itself.
In each Band an appointed member, (usually recognized at birth,) was to learn from early childhood as to what their contribution would be and what was expected from them once they became adults. The teachings included the Knowledge passed down from the Elders. Different related bands united for ceremonies and during the hunting season which required collective effort.
In each Band an appointed member, (usually recognized at birth,) was to learn from early childhood as to what their contribution would be and what was expected from them once they became adults. The teachings included the Knowledge passed down from the Elders. Different related bands united for ceremonies and during the hunting season which required collective effort.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Dakotas
"Dakotah" is the proper name for the first nations people who have occupied the Saskatchewan Plains since time immemorial. The name derives from the word "WaDakotah" which means "harmony", " a condition of being at peace with one another and with the Natural World.
According to Traditional Sacred Teachings of the Dakotas; Wakantanka, the Creator gave life to the Dakotas in the Paha Sapa , The Black Hills of South Dakota, from this birthplace the Dakotas have developed a nomadic Lifestyle on the plains of this continent.
The Dakotas believe that kinship is the True Value that keeps this culture alive, as well the gift of the Sacred Pipe from the White Buffalo Calf Woman and the Drum is always treated with respect, so sacred are these values there are ceremonies that are conducted to honour these values. Women do not touch the Pipe or the Drum because of the traditions and sacredness of these lifeways.
The Dakota have always depended on the gifts of Mother Earth and to give thanks for these gifts there are individual ceremonies that are conducted everyday and then there are the communal ceremonies such as Feasts and Giveaways.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries the Dakotas dominated a huge territory which included The Great Lakes in the east to the Missouri River in the West to as far north as the Churchill River to the Rocky Mountains and as far south as New Mexico.
Contact with the Europeans occurred in 1815 and as the years went by the Dakotas were severly impacted by settlers who continued to claim Dakota Traditional territory and the United States Government negotiated land cessions with armed forces and promises of cash and reservations, The Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands were forced to give up their nomadic life and settle onto tracts of Land and become farmers. They were also told to give up their Ceremonial practices, cut their hair and wear suitable farm clothing. Finally they were urged to banish their own spiritual leaders and medicine men and become christians.
In the late summer of 1862 the eastern bands of the Dakotas in Minnesota had not recieved their Treaty committed payments and gifts and the conditions resulting from the transition of a nomadic life to an agricultural life proved to be disasterous to a point of starvation, sickness and despair. The Dakotas became restless and in August 17, 1862, the discontent erupted into a violent revolt against the Americans, thereafter, many members of the bands were incarcerated at Fort Snelling and at Mankato, Minnisota. A Millitary court was convened and as a result 300 Dakota Leaders were sentenced to death by Hanging. President Abraham Lincoln reviewed the convictions and overturned the results and all except 38 , by the end of September the Dakotas were badly outnumbered and resulted in the loss of lives and the survivors began their journey into Canada.
According to Traditional Sacred Teachings of the Dakotas; Wakantanka, the Creator gave life to the Dakotas in the Paha Sapa , The Black Hills of South Dakota, from this birthplace the Dakotas have developed a nomadic Lifestyle on the plains of this continent.
The Dakotas believe that kinship is the True Value that keeps this culture alive, as well the gift of the Sacred Pipe from the White Buffalo Calf Woman and the Drum is always treated with respect, so sacred are these values there are ceremonies that are conducted to honour these values. Women do not touch the Pipe or the Drum because of the traditions and sacredness of these lifeways.
The Dakota have always depended on the gifts of Mother Earth and to give thanks for these gifts there are individual ceremonies that are conducted everyday and then there are the communal ceremonies such as Feasts and Giveaways.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries the Dakotas dominated a huge territory which included The Great Lakes in the east to the Missouri River in the West to as far north as the Churchill River to the Rocky Mountains and as far south as New Mexico.
Contact with the Europeans occurred in 1815 and as the years went by the Dakotas were severly impacted by settlers who continued to claim Dakota Traditional territory and the United States Government negotiated land cessions with armed forces and promises of cash and reservations, The Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands were forced to give up their nomadic life and settle onto tracts of Land and become farmers. They were also told to give up their Ceremonial practices, cut their hair and wear suitable farm clothing. Finally they were urged to banish their own spiritual leaders and medicine men and become christians.
In the late summer of 1862 the eastern bands of the Dakotas in Minnesota had not recieved their Treaty committed payments and gifts and the conditions resulting from the transition of a nomadic life to an agricultural life proved to be disasterous to a point of starvation, sickness and despair. The Dakotas became restless and in August 17, 1862, the discontent erupted into a violent revolt against the Americans, thereafter, many members of the bands were incarcerated at Fort Snelling and at Mankato, Minnisota. A Millitary court was convened and as a result 300 Dakota Leaders were sentenced to death by Hanging. President Abraham Lincoln reviewed the convictions and overturned the results and all except 38 , by the end of September the Dakotas were badly outnumbered and resulted in the loss of lives and the survivors began their journey into Canada.
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