The horse
has made a profound impact upon the lives of Indians especially those who
lived in the northern plains. These Indians quickly adapted to the foreign
beast whose presence resonate! d through the newly adopted lifestyle. Almost
immediately the diffusio n of the horse found its way into the deepest
facets of their culture. This research is directed towards further understanding
the influence upon the traditional stories that had been passed down throughout
the generations. The attitudes in these stories reflect the strength of
the horsesÕ presence, and the revolutionary changes that accompanied
its introduction. These sources cited will allow interested parties to
further inquire about the subject matter.
Primary Sources:
vEwers,
John C.The Horse in Blackfoot
Indian Culture.Washington,
D.C.:Smithsonian Institution
Press, 1980.
This book
contains an enormous amount of information regarding the horse in Blackfoot
culture.He discusses a
variety of topics from breaking the horses to refined hunting techniques;
great lengths are taken to interpret the magnitude of their influence.
The Author is renowned! for his work in this field of research.
vErodes,
Richard and Ortiz, Alfonzo. American Indian Myths and Legends. New York,
New York: Pantheon Books, 1984.
This is a
collection of legends and myths that have been translated into English.
These include a number of stories from northern tribes. These are essential
to the
vSpence,
Lewis. The Myths of the North American Indians. Mineola, New York: Dover
publications Inc. 1989.
This book
contains numerous myths of Native Americans as well as a number of illustrations.
It has been reprinted and was originally published in 1914 adding to its
contextual research value.
v The Author
of this book married into the tribe early in his life and was even given
a Blackfoot name. The book is exceptionally helpful in that he provides
in great detail the storytelling practices during the waning years of the
horse culture. In his first hand account of his experiences with the tribe
provide a great deal of contextual and historical value to the paper. vNeihardt,
John G.Black Elk Speaks
Being the Life Story of a holy Man of the Oglala Sioux. Lincoln,
Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1932 reprinted 2000. This book
is the account of an Ogala Souix medicine man. It provides great insight
into the spiritual world of the Plains Indians and the changes it had undergone.
Black Elk lived during the last years of the horse culture and witnessed
the collapse. This proves to be a rich source of pertinent information
and provides a unique perspective of Plains Indian culture. Secondary
Sources: vWilloya,
William and Brown, Vinson. Warriors of the Rainbow- Strange and Prophethic
Dreams of Indian People.Healdsburg,
California: Naturegraph Press. 1962. This book
contains a number of dreams given by a number of different Indian tribes,
and even includes an account from Indians from Asia. It provides limited
information although the information given provides personal accounts of
events that may have contributed to the storytelling tradition.Overall
it was f! ound to be marginally helpful. vPowers,
William K. Indians of the Northern Plains. New York, New York: G.P. PutnamÕs
Sons. 1969. This book
provides a general overview of Northern plains culture and history. Although
it is far from a complete account there is a sizable amount of useful information.
It proves to be a good source for basic information, and at times more
detailed information. vEwers,
John C.The Blackfeet.Raiders
on the Northwestern Plains.Oklahoma
City.The civilization of
the American Indian Series.Volume
49.University of Oklahoma
Press. 1958. Ewers is an
accomplished researcher and has written numerous books on the Blackfoot.
This is a detailed description of the Blackfoot culture with an exceptional
analysis on the changes that oc! curred especially after the introduction
of the horse. The information is outstanding although limited in its discussion
of the topic concerned. vGrinnell,
George B. The Cheyenne Indians- Their History and Ways of Life Volume I.
Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press. 1923. This overview
of the Cheyenne Indians is comprised in two volumes. Both volumes offer
details into the many facets of Cheyenne culture.They
offer a ! plethora of knowledge and prove very useful in researching the
topic. vMcLaughlin,
Marie L. Myths and Legends of the Sioux. Electronic Text Center, University
of Virginia Library, n.p. 1916. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/MclMyth.html This electronic
text is a collection of tales and stories of the Sioux. It is a valuable
resource to the research. It explores many of the classic th! emes common
to the Sioux tribes. These stories are essential to research on the subject
at hand. vRoe,
Frank Gilbert.The Indian
and the Horse.Third Edition.Oklahoma.University
of Oklahoma Press.1968. This book
examines the development of horse cultu! re among plains Indians. It does
an acceptable job of providing adequa te information. Other similar works
have proven to be much more detailed. Although possibly useful it provides
little unique information. BenjaminEchelson,
2007
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