DEXSMORE] TETOX SIOUX MUSIC 65 



The chief made a speech welcoming the Maiden, as follo-ws: 



>^y dear relatives: This day Wakag'tagka has again looked down and smiled 

 upop us by sending us this young Maiden, whom we shall recognize and consider as a 

 sister. She has come to our rescue just as we are in great need. Wakag'tagka 

 wishes us to live. This day we lift up our eyes to the sun, the giver of light, that 

 opens our eyes and gives us this beautiful day to see our visiting sister. Sister, we 

 are glad that you have come to us, and trust that whatever message you have brought 

 we may be able to abide by it. We are poor, but we have a great respect to visitors, 

 especially relatives. It is our custom to serve our guests with some special food. We 

 are at present needy and all we have to offer you is water, that falls from the clouds. 

 Take it, drink it, and remember that we are very poor. " 



Then braided sweet grass was dipped into a buffalo horn containing rain water and 

 was offered to the Maiden. The chief said, "Sister, we are now ready to hear the good 

 message you have brought. " The pipe, which was in the hands of the Maiden, was 

 lowered and placed on the rack. Then the Maiden sipped the water from the sweet 

 grass. 



Then, taking up the pipe again, she arose and said: 



"My relatives, brothers and sisters: Wakag'tagka has looked down, and smiles 

 upon us this day because we have met as belonging to one family. The best thing in 

 a family is good feeling toward every member of the family. I am proud to become a 

 member of your family — a sister to you all. The sun is your grandfather, and he is 

 the same to me. Your tribe has the distinction of being always very faithful to prom- 

 ises, and of possessing great respect and reverence toward sacred things. It is known 

 also that nothing but good feeling prevails in the tribe, and that whenever any mem- 

 ber has been found guilty of committing any wrong, that member has been cast out 

 and not allowed to mingle with the other members of the tribe. For all these good 

 qualities in the tribe you have been chosen as worthy and deserving of all good gifts. 

 I represent the Buffalo tribe, who have sent you this pipe. You are to receive this 

 pipe in the name of all the common people [Indians]. Take it, and use it according 

 to my directions. The bowl of the pipe is red stone — a stone not very common and 

 found only at a certain place. This pipe shall be used as a peacemaker. ' The time 

 will come when you shall cease hostilities against other nations. Whenever peace is 

 agreed upon between two tribes or parties this pipe shall be a binding instrument. By 

 this pipe the medicine-men shall be called to administer help to the sick. " 



Turning to the women, she said : 



"My dear sisters, the women: You have a hard life to live in this world, yet without 

 you this life would not be what it is. Wakag^tagka intends that you shall bear 

 much sorrow — comfort others in time of sorrow. By your hands the family moves. 

 You have been given the knowledge of making clothing and of feeding the family. 

 Wakag'tagka is with you in your sorrows and joins you in your griefs. He has given 

 you the great gift of kindness toward every living creature on earth. You he has 

 chosen to have a feeling for the dead who are gone. He knows that you remember 

 the dead longer than do the men. He knows that you love your children dearly." 



Then turning to the children : 



"My little brothers and sisters: Your parents were once little children like you, 

 but in the course of time they became men and women. All Living creatures were 

 once small, but if no one took care of them they would never grow up. Your parents 

 l6ve you and have made many sacrifices for your sake in order that Wakag'tagka 

 may listen to them, and that nothing but good may come to you as you grow up. I 

 have brought this pipe for them, and you shall reap some benefit from it. Learn to 



• Cf. Bulletin 53, pp. 143, 144, in which a woman is said to have been the supernatural means of bringing 

 permanent peace between the Chippewa and Sioux, 



