Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-10-07
BLACKFEET THINK MOUNTAINS
DWELLING PLACE OF Spirits

tions, and are the explanation given by
a child's mind of what In nature 1t does
not understand. and very sensible expla-
nations they held them to be. Myths, we
call these stories, which they regarded as
divine revelations.
Their belief was always affected by the
surroundings to which they were accus-
toned, and to understand how the be-
Lefs came to be the original home of a
tribe must be known.
The Algonquins as a whole were not
mountain, but plains Indians. Living on
the Atlantic coast they gradually took
their way westward until the Rocky
mountains forbid their farther progress.
Chippewas, Arapahoes, eros ventres of
the Prairie, Crees n Blackfeet came
west, either driven there by stronger
tribes or what is more probable, them
selves driving out weaker tribes, and
making their own the conquered terri
tory.
When they reached the Rockies, the
Blackfeet went nc farther, except to
make occasional forays on neighbors
over the range or to steal horses. Why
they stayed on the eastern side Of the
mountains Is capable OF explanation,
There was more game or the east side,
as is testified by Lewis and Clark, and
proved by the fact that the western tribes
went here to hunt; Flatheads, Nez
Perces, Bannacks and others. Some OF
the Algonquins were agricultural in q
small way; but they, like the Crows
ceased to be SO when they were in q
country where game was plentiful enough
to furnish them q living. In this re-
spect they do not differ greatly from the
white race, which Is not given to ex-
~cessive labor when living in the tropics
An abundance Of game kept the Black
feet from continuing their westward
1 M q rnh fhfc Qnd tho fnor than hnd M
the mountains. 80 different in all re-
spects from the country to which they
we're accustomed. I'VE are Indians Of
the plains" said Mountain Chief, I'VE
do not like the mountains; we are afraid
OF them"
Fear Of the unknown, Of the strange
sights and sounds of the mountains
more than anything else kept the Algon'
quins east OF the Rockies.
Indians" says Able Domineck. "havt
a peculiar veneration for the Rocky
mountains, which are for them the lin
It's OF the known world. where the mos
powerful rivers have their sources. They
call them the bridge Of the world, anc
believe that the Great Spirit resides OF
one OF the arial eminences of the range
Many of the eastern tribes designate
them by the name of Mountains Of thu
Setting Sun, and place thereon thei
ideal paradise, their joyful hunting
ground, which is invisible to mortal eyes
1t is also there that Is situated the lane
of souls or OF shades, wherein are thu
villages inhabited by the generous ant
good free spirits, who during their life
time sought to please the Great Spiri
and who now enjoy everlasting happiness
The more distant tribes relate grea
prodigies Of these mountains.
The Indian Heaven
They fancy when they shall havi
breathed their last, they shall be obliged
to run over them, to climb one of thei
steepest peaks, passing amidst shakinI
rocks, snow, n furious torrents. II
this manner after months Of fatigue ant
danger, they shall reach the SUNNI
whence they will discover the land o
shades. They will then see the souls o
the brave warriors, and of the good In
dams dwelling under beautiful tent
pitched in a field covered with luxurian
verdure; watered by shining rivulets
and filled with b~uffaloes. elks and 70
bucks"
This description Of the Indian dwellin
place after death Is not in accordanc
with what / have been told Is the Pie
gan Land Of Shades. This Is quite likel,
In the mountains and Is called the San
Hills. No fields covered with '1uxurian