THE OWL SACRED PACK 
ENGLISH TRANSLATION 
The way this sacred pack is called: it is called an owl sacred pack. 
At gens festivals women and men dance. In one day they dance 
four times. There are three leaders, one woman and two men. 
Those men alternately blow the flute. And the woman has an oak 
leaf fastened in her hair. In early spring is when they dance. That 
is what they do. 
And when the corn ears are mature they dance together again. 
Then they fasten corn tassels in their hair. Then one cornstalk 
is fixed upright inside (the lodge). And this owl skin is placed with 
his head toward it. And then it is repainted red. The only time 
when it is painted is in the harvest time, not before or after. Then 
indeed these are likewise painted, to wit, the snapping turtle and 
tortoise. 
All smoke at the time. This catlinite pipe is what each and every 
one uses—even a child, or a woman is given a smoke—all, maidens, 
little girls, men, youths, boys. After they have ceased dancing for 
the second time is when they begin to be given a smoke together. 
Then, moreover, is when these, the snapping turtle and _ tortoise, 
are painted. The owl is the first to be painted. 
Now after all have smoked, they dine. Pumpkins are what they 
eat first. They use four large bowls and always eat in groups. These 
pumpkins are what is always eaten first, no other thing. Then 
after they have eaten, they serve dogs to each other. At that time, 
it is said, they always eat singly (i. e., each out of one bowl); two do 
not eat together. As many as are celebrating the gens festival 
(have) an individual (bowl). Turkeys, deer, moose, bears, partridges, 
prairie chickens, dogs, pumpkins are said to be the total number of 
things (permitted to be eaten). 
Now as to the sweet things (to be eaten): maple-sugar cakes, 
strawberries, hazelnuts, maple syrup—such is the number of sweet 
things. 
Now as to the ceremonial attendants who are the head ceremonial 
attendants. One is a To'kan™‘, one a Kicko™’. The head cere- 
monial attendants are indeed old men, not young men. Those, 
indeed, are those who will make the speeches. First the To’kan™*’ 
begins to speak at length, it is after they have ceased dancing for 
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