TRIBAL HISTORY. 



It is very difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish in pictographs, or, 



indeed, orally, between historical and traditional accounts obtained 



from Indians, so that this heading may be connected with one before 



. presented, having relation to Traditions as mnemonically pictured. See 



page 84. 



The Walum-Olum, or Bark Record of the Leuni Leu ape, before men- 

 tioned, as also some of Schoolcraft's pictographic illustrations, may be, in 

 accordance with the judgment of the reader, more or less properly con- 

 nected with history. The Dakota Winter Counts, including the Corbu- 

 sier Winter Counts, in the present paper, while having their chief value 

 as calendars, contain some material that is absolute and veritable tribal 

 history, though seldom of more than local and transient interest. An 

 example from Battiste Good's count for the year 1862-'G3, is given in 

 addition, explaining the origin of the title "Brule" Dakota. 



He calls the year " The-people-were-burnt winter," and adds: 



They were living somewhere east of their present country, when a 

 prairie Are destroyed their entire village. Many of their children and 



Fig. 123. — OrigiD iif Braid. Dakota. 



t 



a man and his wife, who were on foot some distance away from the vil- 

 lage, were burned to death. Many of their horses were also burned to 

 death. All the people that could get to a long lake which was near by 

 saved themselves by jumping into it. Many of these were badly 

 burued about the thighs and legs, and this circumstance gave rise to 

 the name, si-can gu, translated as Burnt Thigh, and Brule, by which 

 they have since been known. Battiste Good's character for the year is 

 here given as Figure 123. 



This is of later date than the mythical times, even among Indians, 

 and, being veriiied as it is, must be accepted as historical. 



207 



