INDEX
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K]
[L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [V] [W]
A
Page
ABORTION, means used to produce[521]
ACCOUNTS, method of keeping[420]-421
ADOPTION OF CAPTIVES[552]
ADULTERY, punishment of[482]
See also INFIDELITY
ADVANCEMENT OF TRIBES[579]-580
AGED PEOPLE, treatment of[422], [443]-444, [576]-577
AGRICULTURE—
among the Missouri Indians[463]-464
claim to land based on[477]
need of[543]
of the Plains tribes[407]
AMERICAN FUR COMPANY, traders of[621]
AMPUTATION, practice of[427]-428
ANIMAL LIFE, of the upper Missouri[410]-412
ANIMAL SYMBOLS, use of[412]
ANIMALS—
belief concerning[487]
custom regarding killing of[412]
list of, used for food[583]
ANNUITIES, distribution of[473]
ANTELOPE, hunting of[535]
ANTIQUITIES, absence of[413], [414]
ARIKARA—
migration of[405]
pottery of[413]
ARROW AND BOW, used in buffalo hunting[542]
ARROWS, game played with[570]
ASSINBOIN INDIANS—
advancement of[579]-580
attitude of, toward debts[476]
character of[459]
characteristics of[397], [468]
discussion of method of dealing with[470]-474
etymologic interpretations of the name[381]
intellectual capacity of[593]-602
intertribal relations of[403]-404
names of[396]
origin of[395]
progress of[620]-623
strength of, compared with white man's[529]
territory occupied by[396]-397
traditional origin of[382]
ATONEMENT, no conception of[490]
AUDUBON, assisted by Denig[381]
B
BAD ANIMAL, Assiniboin war leader,[402]
BALL GAME, described[565]-566
BAND, composition of[431]
BEADS—
use of[590]
BEAR—
claws of, worn as necklace[553]
dead, invocations to[499]-500
killing of[537]-538
BEARD—
extraction of[593]
BEAVER, trapping of[411], [538]
BELIEFS—
concerning animals[487]
concerning astronomy[414]-418
concerning crime[479]-483
concerning future life[418]
concerning Great Spirit[397]
concerning prehistoric annuals[412]
concerning territorial rights[476]-478
concerning the earth[406]
BETTING, on races[566]
BIRDS—
list of, eaten by Indians[583]
BLACK ROOT, medicinal use of[425]-426
BLACKFEET, migration of[405]-406
BLEEDING, practice of[426]
BLUE THUNDER, Assiniboin warrior[402]
BODY PAINTING, for the dance[559], [562]
BONES—
of prehistoric animals[411]-412
of the dead, reinterred[574]-575
BOW AND ABROW, use of[542], [555]
BOWL GAME, description of[567]-569
BOYS, ASSINOBOIN, characteristics of[444]
BRAVERY, exhibition of[550]
BRAVES' DANCE, described[558]-560
BUFFALO—
as food[581]-582
discussion of destruction of[460]-462
hunting of[530]-536
importance of[410]-411
parts of, eaten raw[581]
See also GAME; HUNTING
BULLS' DANCE, described[532]
BULL'S DRY BONES, doctor and soothsayer[422]
BURIAL CUSTOMS[570]-576
BURIAL MOUNDS, absence of[573]
BURIALS—
in lodge[573]
in sitting position[573], [574]
on hilltop[572]
orientation in[572], [573]
scaffold or tree[493], [571], [572], [574]
See also GRAVES
C
CALUMET, ceremonial use of[446]-447
CAMP—
Indian life in[508]-510
organization of[440]-446
CANNIBALISM, in time of famine[523], [534]
CANOE INDIANS, an Assiniboin band[430]
CANOES—
use of[579]
CAPACITY, INTELLECTUAL, of the Indian[593]-602
CAPTIVES, treatment of[551], [552], [553]
CATAMENIAL CUSTOMS[524]
CHARMS—
animal symbols used as[412]
belief in[495]
CHASTITY—
attitude toward violation of[482]
of captives, violation of[553]
See also ADULTERY; VIRGINITY
CHIEFS—
authority of[622]
duties of[431]-432, [441]
See also HEAD CHIEF; WAR CHIEF
CHIEFTAINSHIP—
settlement of[432]-433, [435]
succession in[449]
CHILD BEARING, age of[513]
CHILDBIRTH, customs connected with[429], [516]-517
CHILDREN—
behavior of[520]
care of[444]
correction of[620]
customs concerning[519]
grief over loss of[573]
male, most desirable[521]
mortality among[513]
orphan, care of[576]
torture of, as captives[551], [552]
CLAN TOTEMS, absence of[435]
CLANS, of the Upper Missouri Indians[434]-435
CLIMATE
of the Upper Missouri[410]
CLOTHING
cost of[585]-588
decorated with hair[560]
made of skins[504], [506]
of men[585]-586
of the Assiniboin[464]-465, [584]-590
of women[587]-588
renewal of[588]
worn while sleeping[590]
See also COSTUMES
COLUMBIA FUR COMPANY, traders of[621]
COMMERCE, effect of, on Indian[464], [485], [621]-623
See also TRADE; TRADERS
CONJURORS. See DOCTORS
COOKING, methods of,[582]
COSTUME
of warriors[548], [552]-554
worn at Bulls' dance[562]
worn at Fox dance[561]
worn at Soldiers' dance[563]
COUNCIL, description of[436]-440, [446]-448
COUNCIL LODGE, diagram of[437]
COUNCILS, discussion of[451]
COUNTING, system of[418]-420
COUP, counting of[560]
COURTSHIP, customs of[510]-511
CRADLE BOARDS, use of[519]-520
CRAZY BEAR, Chief
account of[401]
made head chief[431]
speech of[597]-599
CREATOR, conception of[486]
CREDIT, among the Indians[459]
CRIME
beliefs concerning[479]-483
Indian conception of[483]
punishment of[448], [452], [455]
See also RETALIATION
CROW DANCE, described[584]
CROW INDIANS
amputation practiced by[427]
crime among[454]
dress of[587], [588]
treatment by, of captives[551], [552]
D
DANCES
description of[556]-565
love making at[558]
purpose served by[556], [557], [563], [564]-565
DEATHS, causes of[478]
See also BURIAL CUSTOMS; MOURNING CUSTOMS
DEBTS, payment of[459]
DECORATION—
See also ORNAMENTS
DEER hunting of[536]
DENIG, E.T.—
ancestry of[383]-384
brief account of life of[380]-381
character of[382]
Indian name of[386]
tribes described by[379]
DE SMET, REV. G.I.—
acknowledgment by, to Denig[386]
object of correspondence with[467]
DESTRUCTION—
rarity of[425]
DIVINING DANCE, briefly described[564]
DIVINING MAN
application of the term[494]
dress of[586]
See also DOCTORS; PRIESTS
DIVORCE, right of[512]
DOCTORING, See MEDICINE
DOCTORS—
activities of[443]
character of[492]
fear of[485]
office of[492-493]
payment to[423], [424]
See also DIVINING MAN; PRIESTS
DOGS
ceremonial eating of[489, 491]
feast on, at soldiers' dance[563]
DREAMS—
beliefs concerning[494-495]
symbols adopted after[412]
DRESS, See CLOTHING, COSTUMES
DRUMS, described[619]
DUCK DANCE, described[562]
DYESTUFFS, native[591]
E
EAGLE FEATHERS—
badge of distinction[449]
value of[589]
EARTH, beliefs concerning the[414]
EARTH LODGES, construction of[579]
ECLIPSE, beliefs concerning[415]
EDUCATION, discussion of need of[466]-470
ELK, hunting of[537]
ELK HORNS, mound of[398]
ELK TEETH, value of[589]
ERMINE SKINS, value of[589]
EXCHANGE, no medium of[420]
EYESIGHT, acuteness of[527-528]
F
FABLES, of the Assiniboin[609-617]
FACIAL PAINTING
for burial[570]
for the dance[557], [563]
for war[554]
FAMILY LIFE, of the Assiniboin[503-508]
FASTING
in time of scarcity[509]
object of[489-490]
FATHER-IN-LAW TABOO[503-504]
FEASTING, IN TIME OF PLENTY[509]
FEATHERS, eagle
a mark of rank[553]
value of[589]
FETISHES—
belief in[495]
See also CHARMS
FEUDS, the result of murder[453]
See also RETALIATION; REVENGE
FIREARMS—
importance of[466]
valued highly[555]
See also GUNS
FIRST-WHO-FLIES, account of[401-402]
FISHING, among Upper Missouri Indians[544], [582]
FLUTE, use of[512]
FOOD—
animal, of the Upper Missouri Indian[581]-582
of the Plains tribes[407]-408
quantities of, consumed[509]
FOOT RACES, popularity of[566]
FORT BENTON, a trading point[407]
FORT BERTHOLD, a trading point[407]
FORT CLARKE, a trading point[407]
FORT PIERRE, a trading point[407]
FORT UNION—
a trading point[407]
described by Denig[381]
FOX DANCE, described[561]
trapping of[538-539]
FUR TRADE, See TRADE; COMMERCE
FUTURE LIFE, belief in[418]
G
GAMBLING—
among women[569]-570
games used for[567]-570
infatuation for[567]
losses in[569]
See also BETTING
GAME—
abundance of[460]
discussion of diminution of[460]-630
division of, after hunt[456], [531], [533]-534, [539]
laws regarding[455]-456
of the upper Missouri[410]-411
GAMES, of the Indians[565]-566
GENS DES CANOTS, an Assiniboin band[430]
GENS DES FILLES, an Assiniboin band[430]
GENS DES ROCHES, an Assiniboin band[430]
GENS DU GAUCHE, an Assiniboin band[430]
GENS DU LAC, an Assiniboin band[430]
GENS DU NORD, an Assiniboin band[430]
GHOSTS, beliefs concerning[493], [494]
GIFTS—
compensation expected for[600]
for treatment of the sick[424]
return of[475]
GIRLS, ASSINIBOIN, characteristics of[444]
GOVERNMENT, Assiniboin[435], [445]-446
See also CHIEFS, CHIEFTAINSHIP, TRIBAL ORGANIZATION
GRAVES—
not marked[572], [576]
GRAZING, on the plains[408]
GREETINGS, of the Indians[524]
GROS VENTRES—
ceremonial scarification of[490]
self-torture of[522]
women and children spared by[551]
GROS VENTRES OF THE PRAIRIE—
migration of[405]
once Arapaho[405]
GUNS, manner of using[555]
H
HABITAT, of the Assiniboin[406-410]
HAIR—
symbolism of, when decorating clothing[560]
HAIRDRESSING[554]
HANDGAME, description of[569]
HAYDEN, F.V.—
Denig manuscript used by[380]
Denig's vocabulary mentioned by[382]
HEAD CHIEF, duties of[441]
HORSE RACES, trickery in[566]
HORSES—
a cause of warfare[470]
disposal of, at owner's death[479]
introduction of[412]
sacrifice of[491]
stolen by war party[547]
value of[471]
wealth estimated by[474]
HOSPITALITY, INDIAN—
affairs settled through[514]
discussion of[513-515]
self-interest in[515]
HUDSON BAY COMPANY
custom of[594]
ruse practiced[595]
HUNTER—
dress of[586]
precarious life of[504]
HUNTING—
instruction in[542]
laws connected with[455]
season for[539]
HUNTING CUSTOMS[444-445, 504, 530-543]
HYDROPHOBIA, remedy for[426]
I
IDOLS, use of[497]
IMMORTALITY, belief In[418, 498-499]
IMPLEMENTS, of the upper Missouri tribes[398, 414]
INDIAN AGENTS, discussion of office of[473-474]
INDIAN DANCES, See DANCES
INDIAN SCHOOLS, urgent need of[466-470]
INDIAN SONGS, See SONGS
INFANTICIDE, a common custom[521]
INFIDELITY, punishment for[504-505]
INHERITANCE, among the Assiniboin[478-479]
INTERMARRIAGE, with whites[625]
IRON ARROW POINT, CHIEF, mention of[573]
J
JUGGLERY, fear inspired by[528]
K
KINSHIP, terms of[503]
KURZ, FREDERICK, Denig discussed by[384]-386
L
LABOR
attitude toward[553]
division of[463], [505]
LAND, rights to[476]-478
LANGUAGE, of the Assiniboin[402], [625]
LANGUAGES
preservation of[405]
LARAMIE TREATY
effect of[467]
reference to[431]
LE BAS ROUGE, a branch of
the Canoe Indians[431]
Le Chef du Tonnebbe, speech of[600-602]
LE GROS FRANÇOIS, Assiniboin chief[395]
LEGEND, Assiniboin[500-503]
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION,
mention of[395]
LIQUOR, bad effects of[530]
LODGES
burial in[573]
construction of[577]-578
manner of using[578]
orderly life in[507]-508
soldiers'[436]
See also EARTH LODGES; COUNCIL LODGE; SACRED LODGE
LONG HAIR, Crow chief, mention of[479]
LONGEVITY, of the Indians[513]
LYING, a common custom[482]
M
MANDAN
ceremonial scarification of[490]
epidemic among[400]
self-torture of[522]
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS[504], [506], [507], [510]-512, [522]
See also INTERMARRIAGE
MASTER OF THE PARK, duties of[443]
MEAT—
curing of[581]
division of, after hunt[531]
MEDICINE—
practice of[422-426]
use of the word[486]
MEDICINE MEN, See DOCTORS; PRIESTS
MEDICINE SACK, described[498]
MEDICINES, of the whites, Indian use of[581]
MICE COMRADES' DANCE, described[564]
MIDWIFE, office of[516]
MIGRATION—
of the Assiniboin[395]-396
of tribes[405]-406
MINERAL SPRINGS, occurrence of[409]
MISSIONARIES, discussion of teachings of[468]
MONGOLOID—
beliefs concerning[417], [484]-485
time reckoned by[416]
MORTALITY, among children[513]
MORTUARY CUSTOMS, See BURIALS; GRAVES;MOURNING CUSTOMS; WIDOWERS; WIDOWS
MOTHER-IN-LAW TABOO[503-504]
MOUND, of elk horns[398]
MOUNDS—
absence of[576]
MOURNING CUSTOMS[556], [571], [572], [575]
MURDER—
Indian beliefs concerning[480]
punishment for[452-454]
MUSIC—
described[617-618]
on the flute[512]
MUTILATION, as a sign of mourning[572]
MYTHOLOGY, of the Upper Missouri Indians[500-503]
MYTHS, relating of[607-608]
N
NAMES—
change of[516]-517
of camp soldiers, list of[518]
of chiefs, list of[518-519]
of warriors, list of[518]
of women, list of[619]
NAMING OF CHILDREN[516-517]
NUDITY, attitude toward[560]
O
OATHS, use of[524]
OLD PEOPLE, treatment of[422], [443]-444, [576]-577
OMENS, belief in[497]
ORATORY, of the Indians[526], [596]-602
See alwso SPEECHES
ORIENTATION, in burial[572], [573]
ORNAMENTS, use of[590-591]
P
PAINTING, on clothing[421], [586]
See also BODY PAINTING; FACIAL PAINTING
PAINTS AND DYES, use of[591]
PARENTS, attitude toward[485]
PARK, buffalo caught in[532-533]
PEACE TREATIES, between tribes[404]
PICTOGRAPHS, reading of[412]-413
See also PICTURE WRITING
PICTURE WRITING—
explanation of[603], [606]-607
use of[421], [603]-605
PIPES, use of[413]
POPULATION—
affected by smallpox[465]
causes of reduction in[625]
effect on, of intoxicating drinks[465]
increase of[405]
of the Assiniboin[396-397]
PORCUPINE QUILLS, use of[590], [591]
POTTERY—
of the Arikara[413]
PRAIRIE FIRES, effect of[408]-409
PRAYERS—
object of[412]
of a warrior[483]-484
to ghosts[484]
PRESENTS, See GIFTS
PRIESTS—
character of[492]
name for[486]
office of[492]-493
power of, in council[450]-451
See also DOCTORS; DIVINING MAN
PRIMOGENITURE, among Assiniboin[478]-479
PRISONERS, See CAPTIVES
PROFANITY, lack of, among Indians[482]
PROPERTY—
loss of, as result of crime[480]
of the deceased, disposal of[571]
placed with the dead[571]
PROPERTY RIGHTS, discussion of[474]-476
PROVISION STEALERS' DANCE, described[564]
PUBLIC CRIER, duties of[442]
PUNISHMENT—
for violations of law[445]
of crime[479]-483
See also RETALIATION
Q
QUILLS, PORCUPINE, use of[590], [591]
R
RACES, betting on[566]
RANK, insignia of[592]-593
RAPE, punishment for[482]
RATTLE, made of hoofs[619]
RATTLESNAKE, cure for bite of[425-426]
RED ROOT INDIANS, a branch of the Canoe Indians[430-431]
RELATIONS, GOVERNMENTAL, with Indians, discussion of[470]-474
RELIGION—
discussion of attempted change in[468]-469
of the Upper Missouri Indians[481]-483, [486]-493, [594]
See also CRIME
RETALIATION, among the Assiniboin[452]-455
RETREAT, in warfare, attitude toward[560]
REVENGE, justification of[481]
See also CRIME; RETALIATION
RICE, WILD, use of[584]
ROBBERY, among the Indians[476]
See also THEFT
RUNNING, speed in[529]
S
SACRED LODGE—
ceremony of[488]-489
construction of[488]
SACRIFICE—
amputation of fingers as[427]-428
made by hunters[535]
to the river[536]
to Wakoñda[489]
SCAFFOLD BURIALS
description of[572]
disintegration of[574]
reasons for[571]
SCALP DANCE, description of[557]-558
SCALP SONG, singing of[555], [556], [557]-558
SCALPING, practice of[524]
SCALPING KNIFE, described[555]
SCALPS, rejoicing over[555]-556
SCARIFICATION, practice of[490], [564]
SCHOOLCRAFT, HENRY R., circular by[378]
SCHOOLS
Indian, need of[466]-470
SCOUTS, of war party, duties of[549]
SEASONS, recognition of[415]
SELF-TORTURE, to propitiate Wakñnda[490]
SHELLS
highly valued[590]-591
SHIELD
rawhide, described[553]
SICKNESS
treatment of[423]-424
See also SMALL POX
SIGHT, acuteness in sense of[527]-528
SILVER, use of[591]
SIOUX BANDS, list of[435]
SIOUX INDIANS, dress of[587]
SKIN DRESSING, described[540]-541
SKINS—
judging of[539]
used for clothing[584]
SKY, beliefs concerning[415]
SMALLPOX—
difficulty of curing[428]
epidemics of[396], [399], [400]
SMOKING, custom of[524]
SNOW, hunting in[535]
SOLDIERS—
duties of[442], [448]
organization of[436]
SOLDIERS' DANCE, described[562]
SONGS—
accompanying ceremonies[496]
list of[618]-619
lullabies[620]
use of[617]
SON-IN-LAW, status of[511]
SORCERY, fear inspired by[528]
SPEAKING, in public[526]
SPEARHEADS—
See also POINTS
SPEECHES—
at scalp dance[558]
made by Assiniboin chief[438]-439
of Crazy Bear[597]-599
of Le Chef du Tonnerre[600]-602
See also ORATORY, SPEAKING
STARS, knowledge concerning[417]
STEALING. See THEFT
STOICISM OF THE INDIAN[525]
STONE INDIANS, an Assiniboin band[430]
STORY-TELLING. See MYTHS
STRENGTH, Indians—
Assiniboin[529]
SUGAR, method of obtaining[584]
SUICIDE, among Indians[522]
SUN—
beliefs concerning[415]
worship of[496]
SWEAT HOUSE, use of[425]
See also VAPOR BATHS
SYMBOLS, ANIMAL, use of[412]
T
TABOOS, concerning women[524]
TACITURNITY OF THE INDIAN[526]
TATTOOING—
a mark of dignity[449]
custom of[522], [592]
TERRITORY, rights to[476]-478
THE GAUCHE, Assiniboin chief, account of[400]
THEFT—
among the Indians[476], [481]-482
punishment for[482]
TIME, reckoning of[415-416]
TOBACCO, ceremonial use of[447], [496]
TOMAHAWK, manner of using[555]
TORTURE OF ENEMIES[491]-492, [551]
See also SELF-TORTURE
TRADE—
of the upper Missouri[457]-466
profits of[460]
with the Assiniboin[397-398]
TRADERS—
demands upon[460]
general character of[457, 621]
risks taken by[459]
TRADING, method of[458], [459]
TRADING POINTS, on the Missouri[407]
TRADITIONS—
Assiniboin[402]-403
relating of[521]
TRAVEL—
guidance in[526]-527
traces left by[527]
TREATIES, with the Assiniboin[398]
TREBITSCH, R.[573]
TRIBAL ORGANIZATION, Assiniboin[430-431]
TRIBES—
divisions of[404]
list of, described by Denig[378]
migrations of[405]-406
separation of[405]
TWINS, occurrence of[513]
V
VACCINATION, among the Assiniboin[428]
VAPOR BATHS, effect of[429]
See also SWEAT HOUSE
VEGETAL FOOD, of Upper Missouri Indians[583]
VERMIN, method of disposing of[584]
VESSELS, CLAY, for cooking[581]
VIRGINITY
precautions to insure[590]
violation of, of captives[553]
VOCABULARIES, recorded by Denig[382]-383
W
WAH-HE´ MUZZA, Assiniboin chief[395]
WAKOÑDA
the Creator[414]
the supernatural power[486], [487]-488
WAR
a means of advancement[525]
made to steal horses[544]
made to take scalps[544], [548]-551
object of[544]
WAR CHIEFS, power of[449]-450
WAR CLUB, stone, use of[555]
WAR EXPLOITS, recounting of[559]-560
WAR LEADER, responsibility of[443]
WAR PARTY
attack by, described[549]-550
organization of[544]-545
return of[547]-548
tactics of[545]-547
WAR WHOOP, use of[551]
WARFARE
attitude toward retreat in[560]
causes of[470]
causes of failure in[548]
customs of[544]-554
means of preventing[470]-471
precautions taken in[549]
WARRIOR, burial of[570]-571
WARRIORS
Assiniboin, list of[401]-402
dress of[553]-554, [586], [589]
insignia of[593]
tattooing of[592]
WEAPONS, described[555]
WHIP DANCE, briefly described[564]
WHISTLES, use of, in hunting[537]
WHITE CRANE DANCE, described[563]
WIDOWERS, remarriage of[511]
WIDOWS
remarriage of[511]
suicide among[522]
WILD RICE, use of[584]
WITCHCRAFT, belief in[493]-494
WOLVES, trapping of[538]-539
"WOMAN CHIEF," account of[433]-434
WOMEN
burial of[573]
clothing of[587]
customs regarding[524]
list of names of[519]
marriageable age of[611]
status of[433], [451], [455]
treatment of, as captives[551], [552], [553]
work of[444], [505]
WOMEN'S DANCE, briefly described[564]
WOMEN'S GAME, description of[569]-570
WOOLEN GOODS, introduction of[464]-465
WOUNDS, recovery from[429]-430

FOOTNOTES

[1] Chittenden, H. M., and Richardson, A. T. Life, letters, and travels of Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, S. J., 1801-1873. Vol. IV, p. 1111. New York, 1905.

[2] Consult Preface for etymologic analysis of this word and for its objective meaning.

[3] This traditional date given by Denig is evidently much too late, for as early as the middle of the seventeenth century they were known to the Jesuit missionaries of Canada.

[4] There are portions of pumice stone and other things occasionally picked up that have undergone volcanic action; also burning hills, but no eruptions.

[5] See page 617 at the end of their oral tales.

[6] It is considered a fetish as a light at night and sacrificed to on this account.

[7] It is not intended by this that they make no use of picture writing, but that these records are not preserved. For further explanation see picture writing, p. 603. The devices on their robes are not renewed after they have arrived at a very advanced age, or in other words after their influence and standing has been destroyed by age and helplessness.

[8] In the few cases where the Indians have an arm or leg missing, they have been shot off, or so nearly off as not to come under the head of amputation, as but little skin or nerve were to be cut.