BUSHNELL] VILLAGES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI 55 
Arranging the skin covers of several large tipis in such a way as 
to form a single shelter, to serve as a ceremonial “lodge,” was the 
custom of many tribes, and other instances will be mentioned. But 
another and more elaborate form of structure was used by the tribes 
just mentioned. In 1858, when describing certain customs of the 
people then living along the course of the Minnesota and in the 
vicinity of Lake Traverse, Riggs referred to the sacred dance and 
said: “ Among the Dakotas a most remarkable society exists which 
is called Wakan wachepe, or Sacred Dance, of which the medicine 
sack is the badge. It may be regarded as the depository and guardian 
of whatever they esteem as wakan, or sacred.” He then related the 
contents of the bag and the meanjng of the ceremony, and continues: 
“A large skin lodge is usually occupied as the center of operations, 
the door of which is made wide by throwing up the corners. From 
this, on each hand, extends a kind of railing, some thirty or forty 
feet, on which skins are thrown. The entrance is at the farther end. 
All around the inside of this sanctum sanctorum and along the ex- 
tended sides sit those who are called to the dance. Beyond this and 
near the place of entrance is a fire, with great kettles hanging over it, 
which are filled with dried buffalo meat or other food; and near by 
lay several packs or bags of the same, which are consecrated to the 
feast. The whole village are gathered around and are looking over 
or peeping through the holes in the barricades.” Much was then 
told about the strange and curious ceremonies enacted within the 
lodge... (Riggs, (1), pp. 505-506.) 
Leaving the encampment in the vicinity of the post of the Colum- 
bia Fur Company, the Long expedition moved northward, and when 
just beyond Lake Traverse, while traversing the prairies on July 27, 
1823, “ passed a party of squaws engaged in conveying to their camp 
some slices of fresh meat to jerk; their fellow labourers were dogs. 
Each of the dogs had the ends of two poles crossed and fastened 
over the shoulders, with a piece of hide underneath to prevent chafing. 
The other extremities dragged on the ground. This sort of vehicle 
was secured to the animal by a string passing round the breast, and 
another under the abdomen; transverse sticks, the ends of which 
were fastened in the poles, kept these at a proper distance, and sup- 
ported the meat. This seems to be the only mode of harnessing dogs, 
practised among the Sioux; we believe, they never use them in teams, 
as 1s customary with the traders.” (Keating, (1), II, pp..9-10.) 
The expedition soon arrived at Pembina, near the international 
boundary, where it would appear they found the two characteristic 
forms of native habitations in use by the Indians. A drawing was 
at that time made by Seymour and used as an illustration in the 
71934°—22—_5 
