1892-93.] SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THK BLACKFOOT INDIANS. 257 



shame from telling the comtemptuous one. The names of the gentes 

 appear to be given in accordance with this custom of bestowing personal 

 names. 



Some of the aged men informed the writer that in the early history of 

 the Confederacy some of the Indians were held in slavery, but they have 

 held no slaves during the lifetime of any of the people now living. There 

 are some old men, however, who act in the capacity of servants to some 

 of the chiefs. I have never known any of these, although I have seen 

 young men acting as messengers. Some of them seemed to hold an 

 official position, for they were not related to the peace chief by marriage, 

 although they belonged to the same gens. They undertook long 

 journeys when ordered to do so, interpreted when they had the ability, 

 and received no compensation for their work. 



Since the making of the treaty the mode of forming a gens and of 

 electing chiefs has been modified. An influential Indian may secure a 

 large number of adherents through his boldness in proposing some 

 popular measure, first by suggesting it, and by secret and incessant 

 agitation keeping it before the minds of the people. His name will be 

 brought forward at some interview with prominent Government officials 

 after the way has been cleared by securing strong support from the 

 people, a promise of investigation will be given, and the Indian council 

 having nominated him, the Government will finally sanction his election, 

 if that is in the interests of the tribe. 



When the tribe is on the march there is a regular order of camping. 

 This is a very simple arrangement, and there is not the elaborate 

 and definite method of division which exists among the Dakotahs. 

 When the people reach the place appointed for camping, the peace 

 chief has his lodge pitched upon the westward side, he is surrounded 

 by the leading members of his gens, and then eastward the chiefs 

 have their lodges pitched at a sufficient distance from each other to 

 allow the members of their respective gentes to surround them. The 

 sacred tents are guarded by the soldiers. This latter arrangement 

 has not taken place for several years; as I have never seen any of these 

 sacred lodges, but I have been informed by the aged chiefs that such 

 were in existence in the early years. 



Several sacred pipes belonged to the Blood tribe, some of which are 

 still in possession of the chiefs. The tribal pipe had a large stone head 

 with figures of animals cut before and behind, the stem was about three 

 feet long, made of wood, carved and painted, from which fringes of ermine 

 skins were appended. A woman was detailed to look after it. In 

 travelling, this woman carried it upon a horse, upon which nothing else 



