92 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 6i 



these men was influenced somewhat by the authority accorded them 

 by these scattered members of the tribe. The facts brought out dur- 

 ing tliese interviews did not conflict with statements made in the con- 

 ferences, but served to corroborate them and to add minor details. 



Not all the men in the foregoing list were present at every confer- 

 ence. Thus on the first occasion it was possible for only 9 to attend. 

 It was considered desirable that at least 12 persons be present, and 

 as no other elderly man was acceptable to the council, an invitation 

 was extended to Thomas Frosted, a full-blood Santee-Yanktonai, 

 who witnessed several Sun dances when too young to make a Sun- 

 dance vow, and who has given much consideration to its history and 

 beliefs. Robert P. Higheaglo, the interpreter, also witnessed a Sun 

 dance when a child. These men, with the WTiter, completed the 

 desired number and no other persons were allowed in the room. Two 

 days were occupied by the discussions, and several men remained 

 longer to record songs. 



Concerning these conferences Isija'la-wica' (Lone Man) said to the 

 writer: 



\\Tien we heard that you had come for the facts concerning the Sun dance we con- 

 sulted together in our homes. Some hesitated. We have discarded the old ways, yet 

 to talk of them is "sacred talk" to us. If we were to talk of the Sun dance there 

 should be at least 12 persons present, so that no disrespect would be shown, and no 

 young people should be allowed to come from curiosity. When we decided to com.e 

 to the council we reviewed all the facts of the Sun dance and asked Wakag^tagka that 

 we might give a true account. We prayed that no bad weather would prevent the 

 presence of anyone chosen to attend, and see, during all this week the sound of the 

 thunder has not been heard, the sky has been fair by day and the moon has shone 

 brightly by night, so we know that Wakag^taijka heard our prayer. 



Seated in a circle, according to the old custom, the Indians lis- 

 tened to the statements concerning the Sun dance as they had already 

 been given to the writer. According to an agreeement there 

 were no interruptions as the manuscript was translated. The man 

 at the southern end of the row held a pipe, which he occasionally lit 

 and handed to the man at his left. Silently the pipe was passed 

 from one to another, each man puffing it for a moment. The closest 

 attention was given throughout the reading. A member of the 

 white race can never know what reminiscences it brought to the silent 

 Indians — what scenes of departed glory, what dignity and pride of 

 race. After this the men conferred together concerning the work. 



That night until a late hour the subject was discussed in the camp 

 of Indians. The next morning the principal session of the council 

 took place. At tliis time the expression of opinion was general and 

 after. each discussion a man was designated to state the decision 

 through the interpreter. Sometimes one man and sometimes another 

 made the final statement, but nothing was written down which did 



