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Introduction | History | Daily Life | Culture | References
Culture
Religion (continued)
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Cree wearing sun dance dress, June 1895 |
The Plains Cree practised an ancient ceremony called the sun dance. The people referred to it as Nipakwe Cimuwin, or "thirst dance." Some have also called it a rain dance. Whatever people called it, to complete this ceremony required personal strength and courage. A participant danced outdoors for four days without food or water. Another important ceremony took place in the smoking tipi. This was an all-night ceremony where participants, upon making a pledge, sang and smoked their sacred pipes in offering to a Manito.
Governance
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| Kee-akee-ka-saa-ka-wow (The Man that Gives the War Whoop), a Cree, 1848 |
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The Plains Cree governed themselves with laws and customs passed down from generation to generation. People chose a leader based on his ability to take care of others and make good decisions for the band. Sometimes the son of a chief might be chosen after the death of a leader, but a person's qualities were most important in being chief (as well as their gender, since chiefs were traditionally male). There were both civil chiefs and war chiefs. Although civil chiefs held the most responsibility over day-to-day life, war chiefs took over the affairs of a band during times of conflict. Besides the civil chief, there was a council to make decisions for the band. A war chief was aided by the okihtcitawak ("warriors") and a society made up of the bravest men, known as the kihtockinikiwak ("worthy young men"). An elder and spiritual leader was often chosen to oversee activities such as moving a camp, while a crier relayed information to the people.
 
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