The Bozeman courier., 1926-08-06

The long abandoned sweat lodge
''purificatiOn' ceremony Of the
Peigan tribe Of the Blaclfeet In
dian nation was revived at Glacier
Park recently, when the Rev. DIR.
e. M. COsgrOVe, now of Chicago,
but formerly minister of the Uni
tartan church at Helena went
through the ordeal in company
with Chief Arrow Heal.
In a small lodge built up Of the
sacred willow branches and covered
by the old buffalo hides, which bore
a significant part in the religion OF
the older Piegans, the Chicago lee
turer was cleansed of his spiritual
ills while the Indians who partic1-
pated in the ceremony chanted songs
in the Piegan tongue, to the initiate
OF to the others of his race who wit
messed the ceremony.
This ceremony was the OutgrOWth
of revelations given the Indians by
the Great Spirit when he created
their tribe, according to their beliefs,
and was formerly used by them In
connection with events of great i'm
pOrtance, such as in times Of famine,
in advance Of wars, before the chase
or when a prominent member OF the
tribe was in peril of death. While the
songs and dances of the ceremony
was in progress use was made of the
beaver medicine, kept by Chief Ar
row Head.
In the ceremony both AFRO Head
and the initiate, DR.. COsgrove, were
completely divested of clothing and
~
lodge. Twenty-One red hot stones
were placed in the center Of the lodge
and upon these from time to time
water was sprinkled and immediate
ly transformed into steam. The lodge
was sealed to prevent the escape OF
the steam by canvas and blankets
placed upon it and the initiate was
kept in this sweat bath as long as his
physical endurance permitted, and
which in DR.. COsgrOve's case ran into
so minutes.
At the conclusion of the ceremony
DR.. CosgrOVe was presented with
sacred stem-pieee of red stone, sucl
as is used in the Medicine Lodg'
ceremony and when making praye
to the Sun God, and with war gar
ment of elk skin heavily beaded. HI
was adopted into the tribe and g1Vel
the name. POaukanu, meaning Chic
Elk. after one of the greatest ch1ef
tains of the Blackfeet nation, afte
which an address was made by on
of the old Indians, who told the Othe
guests what a good friend to the IN
dams the initiate had been, and e1
pressing the desire of the old Indian
that DR.. COsgrOve perpetuate in trut
the old legend of the tribe. A fe'
davs later, during the same week,
love feast was spread as cOncluslO
to the ceremony Of the prior days.
DR.. Cosgrove has been lecture
on art. literature and PSYCHOLOGY 70
the last 10 years and during thi
period, for about four years up
five wears ago, was pastor Of tn
Unitarian church in Helena. In col
nectiOn with his lectures he has pee
giving talks in the east for sewers
years on Glacier park, which
thinks is the greatest Of the nations
parks of America.
He lectures every Sunday mOrni1
in the new Woods theater in the loc
district in Chicago, and also appear
frequently before WOmen's clubs
the east. At a request of the Gre'
Northern railway he will delivt
illustrated lectures throughout Il
east on "Glacier National Park-Tl
Rockies at Their Mightiest."
DR.. COsgrove, at the head Of
party of Chicago tourists, came in
the park three weeks ago, and f
about two weeks guided his CUES
over the trails to the many points
interest which he has visited annus
ly during the last 2 years. He is no
on a pack train trip through Il
Selkirks Of British Columbia, Whi
will take him up TO September IS.
OF the 10 persons who aCcOl
panied him into the park this yes
six had never been astride a hor
before. They went on a IL day hOra
back trip and came enthusiast
over their experiences and signed /
for another tour in Glacier park ne
year. All are members Of represent
tive North Shore families "a Chicag
During the trip 100 still life phoi
graphs and 2,000 feet OF motion b
tuFes were taken for use BY DR.. CC
grove in his lectures