102 Indians OF THE PLAINS. 



tion of this conceivedly divine element. Probably 

 nowhere, not even among the Dakota, is there a clear 

 cut formulation of a definite god-like being with definite 

 powers and functions. 



A Supernatural Helper. 



It is much easier, however, to gather reliable data 

 on religious activities, or the functioning of these 

 beliefs in actual life. In the Plains as well as in some 

 other parts of the continent the ideal is for all males 

 to establish some kind of direct relation with this divine 

 element or power. The idea is that if one follows the 

 proper formula, the power will appear in some human 

 or animal form and will form a compact with the appli- 

 cant for his good fortune during life. The procedure 

 is usually for a youth to put himself in the hands of a 

 priest, or shaman, who instructs him and requires him 

 to fast and pray alone in some secluded spot until the 

 vision or dream is obtained. In the Plains such an 

 experience results in the conferring of one or more songs, 

 the laying on of certain curious formal taboos, and of 

 the designation of some object, as a feather, skin, shell, 

 etc. to be carried and used as a charm or medicine 

 bundle. This procedure has been definitely reported 

 for the Sarsi, Plains-Cree, Blackfoot, Gros Ventre, 

 Crow, Hidatsa, Mandan, Dakota, Assiniboine, Omaha, 

 Arapaho, Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Pawnee. It is proba- 

 bly universal except perhaps among the Ute, Shoshone, 

 and Nez Perce. We know also that it is frequent 





