Blackfeet Legends – First Medicine Lodge
The Blackfeet people, an Indigenous nation residing primarily in the Northwestern Plains of North America, possess a rich tapestry of oral traditions. Woven into their stories are profound spiritual beliefs, historical accounts, and moral lessons that have been passed down through generations. Among the most significant of these narratives is the legend of the First Medicine Lodge, a tale deeply intertwined with the Blackfeet understanding of the cosmos, the power of sacrifice, and the origins of a sacred ceremony. This narrative, meticulously recorded by ethnographer George Bird Grinnell in 1913, offers a glimpse into the Blackfeet worldview and the intricate relationship between humanity, the natural world, and the divine.
At the heart of Blackfeet spirituality lies the reverence for the Sun, regarded as the supreme deity and creator of all things. The Sun, often referred to as "Napi" (Old Man), is the object of prayers and supplications, embodying wisdom, power, and benevolence. However, the Blackfeet pantheon also includes another "Napi," a trickster figure whose actions often stand in stark contrast to the Sun’s greatness. This duality reflects the complex interplay of good and evil, wisdom and folly, that characterizes the human experience.
The Blackfeet Legends speak of the Medicine Lodge Ceremony, an annual summer festival held when the berries ripen. This event served as a time for communal celebration, feasting, gift-giving, and, most importantly, spiritual renewal. During this ceremony, individuals seeking blessings and good fortune would demonstrate their devotion through acts of self-sacrifice and physical endurance. This practice, reminiscent of similar traditions in other cultures throughout history, underscored the Blackfeet belief in the power of personal sacrifice to attain divine favor.
The narrative unfolds with the introduction of a beautiful young woman who has captured the attention of many suitors within the Blackfeet community. Despite receiving proposals from accomplished warriors and wealthy men, she consistently refuses them all. Her father, initially pleased by the attention, grows frustrated by her repeated rejections and demands an explanation. The woman reveals that she has been visited by the Sun, who has declared that she belongs to him and must remain unmarried to live a long and prosperous life.
Simultaneously, the Blackfeet Legends introduce a poor, orphaned young man known as Scarface, ostracized and ridiculed for his poverty and a prominent scar on his cheek. Taunted by other young men, Scarface is dared to seek the hand of the woman who has rejected so many. To everyone’s surprise, he takes their challenge seriously and approaches her with a humble proposal.
The woman, moved by Scarface’s sincerity, acknowledges that she is drawn to him despite his poverty. However, she reiterates the Sun’s decree and sets forth a seemingly impossible task: Scarface must travel to the Sun’s lodge and obtain his permission to marry her. Furthermore, she requests that the Sun remove the scar from his face as a sign of his approval. This challenge fills Scarface with despair, as he recognizes the immense difficulty of finding the Sun’s dwelling and fulfilling such a daunting request.
Despite his initial reluctance, Scarface embarks on a perilous journey to find the Sun. He seeks the assistance of an old woman, who provides him with moccasins and provisions for his travels. Alone and disheartened, Scarface sets out, praying for guidance and protection. His path leads him through vast prairies, dense forests, and towering mountains.
Along the way, Scarface encounters various animal spirits who offer him assistance. A wolf directs him to a bear, the bear sends him to a badger, and the badger guides him to a wolverine. Each animal acknowledges the difficulty of his quest but provides him with clues and encouragement. Finally, the wolverine leads Scarface to the edge of a vast, seemingly endless body of water.
Despairing and exhausted, Scarface believes his journey has reached its end. However, two swans appear and offer to carry him across the water to the Sun’s domain. Heeding their offer, Scarface climbs onto their backs, and they embark on a perilous journey across the dark and mysterious waters.
Upon reaching the other side, Scarface encounters a series of trials. He finds weapons and other valuable objects left on the trail, but he resists the temptation to take them, demonstrating his integrity and respect for others’ property. This act of honesty impresses the Sun’s son, Morning Star, who introduces Scarface to his family.
The Sun, upon returning to his lodge, recognizes Scarface’s presence and welcomes him as a guest. During his stay, Scarface learns about the Sun’s power and the importance of respecting the natural world. He also befriends Morning Star and helps him overcome a dangerous threat from giant birds that have previously killed the Sun’s other sons.
Impressed by Scarface’s bravery and compassion, the Sun grants him his request to marry the woman. He acknowledges her wisdom and faithfulness and declares that he is pleased to unite them. As a symbol of his approval, the Sun removes the scar from Scarface’s face and imparts sacred knowledge about the creation of the Medicine Lodge. The Blackfeet Legends also include the design, purpose, and construction of this sacred structure.
The Sun instructs Scarface on the proper rituals and ceremonies associated with the Medicine Lodge, emphasizing its significance as a place of healing, renewal, and connection with the divine. He gives Scarface two raven feathers as a token of his blessing and sends him home with many gifts.
Returning to his village, Scarface is greeted with astonishment and joy. His scar is gone, and he is adorned in fine clothing and weapons. He presents the raven feathers to the woman, confirming that the Sun has granted his request. They are married and, following the Sun’s instructions, construct the first Medicine Lodge, initiating a tradition that would become central to Blackfeet spiritual life.
The Blackfeet Legends about the couple live long and prosperous lives, blessed with health, happiness, and the respect of their community. When they finally pass away in old age, they do so peacefully, their spirits joining the ancestors in the Sandhills.
The legend of the First Medicine Lodge serves as a powerful testament to the Blackfeet values of perseverance, integrity, and respect for the divine. It underscores the importance of self-sacrifice, the interconnectedness of all living things, and the power of faith in overcoming adversity. The Blackfeet Legends about the Medicine Lodge Ceremony remains a vital part of Blackfeet culture, a living tradition that continues to inspire and guide the people in their journey through life.