| 1. Many-medicines | 4. Biters |
| 2. Black-elks | 5. Skunks |
| 3. Liars | 6. Bad-guns |
These lists are doubtless far from being complete. Even among the Indians themselves confusion seems to exist as to some names since a band may be known by two or more names. Under these conditions we deemed the preceding data sufficient to our purpose. Mr. Grinnell explains the existence of bands of the same name among the various divisions as due to members of the bands leaving their own tribe to live with another. As we have no data on this point it must pass, though we see no reason why some of the band names may not be older than the tribal divisions. On the other hand, some of the translated names for Gros Ventre bands as stated by Kroeber are identical in meaning with some of those found among the several tribal divisions of the Blackfoot. Again, we are not ready to accept unconditionally the opinion of Grinnell that the disparity between band ties and blood ties is due to the gradual disintegration of tribal life, having previously stated our reasons for assuming the system of blood relationship the older form and pointed out that the band is rather political than otherwise.
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[23]
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As to the origin of the term band, used so generally by the older writers and traders
of this area, we have a suggestion from Keating: “The term band, as applied to a herd of
buffalo, has almost become technical, being the only one in use in the west. It is derived from
the French term bande.” Keating, 379. We may venture that the use of this term for a head
man and his following among the Indians of this same area was suggested by the analogy
between the two kinds of groups, these old naïve observers not being blinded by sociological
preconceptions.
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[25]
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On this point, the following statement of a Piegan informant may be worthy of note:
A man may go into another band and live there if he choose, nothing much being said about
it. Sometimes a man may not like the chief of his own band and so go to another. There
is neither announcement nor formal adoption, he simply goes there to live. For a time, it
may be thrown out to him that he belongs elsewhere but after a while he is always spoken of
as a member. When a band begins, it may be a group of two or three brothers, fathers, and
grandfather, or a small family band (which means the same thing); later, friends or admirers
of the head man in this family may join them until the band becomes very large. Bands may
split in dissention, one part joining another or forming a new one. A new group is soon given
a name by other people according to some habit or peculiarity. They do not name themselves.
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[26]
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For another list of Blood bands, see Maclean, (c), 255. For a Piegan list, see Uhlenbeck,
(a).
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The Camp Circle.
As among many tribes, there was a definite order of camping when the circle of tipis was formed. While Mooney may be correct in his claim that the circle of the Cheyenne is their fundamental social organization, it cannot be said that the circle of the Blackfoot holds a very close objective relation to their organization. In the first place, each division (Blackfoot, Blood and Piegan) had its own circle and there are no traditions that they were ever combined. When a circle is formed, all visitors from other divisions must, like those from strange tribes, camp outside and apart. Further, there is a firm belief among the Piegan that the circle was never formed except for the sun dance and certain related ceremonies connected with the beaver medicine. It seems likely that if the circle were fundamental and not of recent origin, there would be traces of a parent circle and vestiges of rules governing its formation. Further, as among the Cheyenne, there is no great unanimity of opinion as to the order of the various bands in the circle but at the sun dance the leading men decide arbitrarily any doubt that may exist as to the place of a particular band. The further discussion of this point may be deferred until we take up the sun dance and its problems.
The opening in the circle is to the east and the order of bands is enumerated from the south side of the opening, as in the characteristic ceremonial order of movement. The present order for the Piegan is as given in the list.