Keeper of the Sacred Pipe

[Dietmar]

We had assembled a lot of information about the Elk Head family at the littlebighorn.info board, which is now here:

www.american-tribes.com/Lakota/BIO/ElkHead.htm

More information is available at the website of Suzanne Dupree aka Looking Back Woman:

www.lookingbackwoman.ca/index.html

Here is an excerpt:

I have encapulated the historical path that is documented historical/archival information pertaining to the original WBCP(s).
Martha Bad Warrior, ALH's Great-Grandmother was adopted by Old Man Elk Head, as he was called. This came about from his time at Turtle Mountain Manitoba during ceremony with the SCFC between 1834-1839, recorded in the Nicolette Journals from that time period.
Old Man Elk Head was the representative of the Seven Council Fires Council from the Cheyenne River region of the Western Teton Sioux.
Martha Bad Warrior was born in 1837, and from the Elk Head families recent information sent to me in Nov 07, was a Dakota from the North, not a Lakota by birth...well, North of Cheyenne River is Turtle Mountian, Manitoba, just over the medicine line of North Dakota.
I have cross referenced this information with the Eddie Herman Collection in the SI, that says Martha Bad Warrior was a Dakota...and, was the only woman "Keeper" ever of the WBCP.
What is the beauty of this information is there is no bloodline between Martha Bad Warrior & the Elk Head family...and, she obviously married into the Bad Warrior family, which has been a recognized family of "Keepers" of the original WBCP(s), and (is recorded as such, by Wilbur A. Riegert's info of Martha's telling of the linage of the Pipe(s) in "Quest for the Pipe of the Sioux, As Viewed from Wounded Knee" copyright 1975).
Since the origin of Martha's Dakota birthplace was the area where the governmental body of the Siouan Nation was located, it is understandable why she took it upon herself to take possession of the Pipe(s) from Old Man Elk Head when he died, because her family there at Cheyenne River was becoming Christianized.
From the family's tone, the Elk Head family was not pleased by this, but from Martha's original Dakota origin, could not dispute her claim to It, because the adoption, the making of relatives (Hunka Ceremony) between the Dakota, (which were the largest voting body of the Seven Council Fires Council) and, the Lakota "Keepers" of the Sacred Pipe(s), united the two Dakota/Lakota together by family (Oyate).
The Dakota's larger voting ability would have allowed this to happen for the good of the people of the Seven Council Fires Council and all of mankind, as the original teachings of the Pipe(s) from WBCPW dictated from Creator.
The Seven Council Fires Council broke down in the 1860's because of war, and the death of Sleepy Eye, who was the Grand Chief of the SCFC, had not named a sucessor. The tribes of the SCFC never had the opportunity to rebuild itself because of this. However, from all indications it was always the intention that it be rebuilt, and why Fools Crow's presence at Turtle Mountain in the 1930's shows this intention to do so, by the making of the 14 Buffalo Calf Pipes Fools Crow commissioned Standing Eagle of Pipestone, Minnesota to make for this purpose.
One for each of the men, along with one for each their female counterparts of the Seven Tribes of the SCFC...balance.
This also allowed the women to regain their rightful place in society & ceremony that had been lost with the patriarchial colonial concept that tipped this balance from its matriarchial origin. We had been a matriarchial society before contact.
All of the information began to make sense, after the Elk Head information & the Eddie Herman Collection verified Martha's connection to the Turtle Mountain Dakota.
At the end of the day, the current information provided is not accurate, and is self serving, where the original intention of the Pipe(s) is for the good of all mankind.
I am writing the disertation now to provide this to the people.
It has been quite a puzzle to reconstruct with the limited information available, (written mainly by non-native archeologists, from the deceptive data given them from the most current information available 1964-1967 & given to the Smithsonian, but with much contraversy today) and, with so many other falsehoods out there by people with a personal agenda...but, it is my feeling this is about to change with this information.

The site has a mass of information, especially about the Dupree Family.

[ladonna]

oh!
Martha Bad Warrior, ALH's Great-Grandmother was adopted by Old Man Elk Head, as he was called. This came about from his time at Turtle Mountain Manitoba during ceremony with the SCFC between 1834-1839, recorded in the Nicolette Journals from that time period.
Old Man Elk Head was the representative of the Seven Council Fires Council from the Cheyenne River region of the Western Teton Sioux.
Martha Bad Warrior was born in 1837, and from the Elk Head families recent information sent to me in Nov 07, was a Dakota from the North, not a Lakota by birth...well, North of Cheyenne River is Turtle Mountian, Manitoba, just over the medicine line of North Dakota.
I have cross referenced this information with the Eddie Herman Collection in the SI, that says Martha Bad Warrior was a Dakota...and, was the only woman "Keeper" ever of the WBCP.
What is the beauty of this information is there is no bloodline between Martha Bad Warrior & the Elk Head family...and, she obviously married into the Bad Warrior family, which has been a recognized family of "Keepers" of the original WBCP(s), and (is recorded as such, by Wilbur A. Riegert's info of Martha's telling of the linage of the Pipe(s) in "Quest for the Pipe of the Sioux, As Viewed from Wounded Knee" copyright 1975).


Let's see i have the genealogy of Martha right here. This woman has been posting all kind of misinformation all over the net.

White Hollow Horn married Standing
whom son was Ezekiel Bad Warrior

Elkhead II married Annie Yellow Cloud Woman
daughter Martha Red Eagle woman born 1-1-1854
and she died 10-25-1936

Ezekiel Bad Warrior married Martha Red Eagle

Standing Rock reservation is located just north of
Cheyenne River which is Lakota.

in 1863 we know that both Dakota and Lakota
we together with the pipe.

[Historian]

Lakota story of the White Buffalo Calf Maiden - Ptehincalaska

The following version of the story of the White Buffalo Calf Maiden was provided by an Oglala Lakota named Lone Man or Isna'lawica'.

Lone Man was born in 1850, fought at the Little Big Horn in 1876, and died in April 1918.

In 1912, Lone Man was interviewed by Frances Densmore through an interpreter named Robert High Eagle, and this version of the story was recorded and later published in 1918 in a larger work titled "Teton Sioux Music". It is considered one of the oldest recorded versions.

Lone Man - Oglala - 1913


This is what was published as Lone Man's version of the story:

In the olden times it was a general custom for the Sioux tribe to assemble in a body once at least during the year. This gathering took place usually about that time of midsummer when everything looked beautiful and everybody rejoiced to live to see nature at it's best-that was the season when the Sundance ceremony took place and vows were made and fufilled. Sometimes the tribal gathering took place in the Fall when the wild game was in the best condition, when wild fruits of all kinds were ripe, and when the leaves on the trees and plants were the brightest.

One reason the people gathered as they did was that the tribe as a whole might celebrate the victories, successes on the warpath, and other good fortunes which had occurred during the year while the bands were scattered and each band was acting somewhat independently. Another reason was that certain rules or laws were made by the head chiefs and other leaders of the tribe, by which each band of the tribe was governed. For instance, if a certain band got into trouble with some other tribe, as the Crows, the Sioux tribe as a whole should be notified. Or if an enemy or enemies came on their hunting grounds the tribe should be notified at once. In this way the Teton Sioux was protected as to it's territory and it's hunting grounds.

After these gatherings there was a scattering of the various bands. On one such occasion the Sans Arc band started toward the west. They were moving from place to place, expecting to find buffalo and other game which they would lay up for their winter supply, but they failed to find anything. A council was called and two young men were selected to go in quest of buffalo and other game. They started on foot. When they were out of sight they each went in a different direction, but met again at a place which they had agreed upon. While they were planning and planning what to do, there apeared from the west a solitary object advancing toward them. It did not look like a buffalo; it looked more like a human being than anything else. They could not make out what it was, but it was coming rapidly. Both considered themselves brave, so they concluded that they would face whatever it might be. They stood still and gazed at it very eagerly. At last they saw it was a beautiful young maiden. She wore a beautiful fringed buckskin dress, leggings, and moccasins. Her hair was hanging loose except at the left side, where was tied a tuft of shedded buffalo hair. In her right hand she carried a fan made of flat sage. Her face was painted with red verticle stripes. Not knowing what to do or say, they hesitated, saying nothing to her.

She spoke first, thus: "I am sent by the Buffalo tribe to visit the people you represent. You have been chosen to perform a difficult task. It is right that you should try to carry out the wishes of your people, and you must try to accomplish your purpose. Go home and tell the chief and headmen to put up a special loodge in the middle of the camp circle, with the door of the lodge and the entrance into the camp toward the direction where the sun rolls off the earth. Let them spread sage at the place of honor, and back of the fireplace let a small square place be prepared. Back of this and the sage let a certain frame, or rack, be made. Right in front of the rack a buffalo skull should be placed. I have something of importance to present to the tribe, which will have a great deal to do with their future welfare. I shall be in the camp about sunrise."

While she was thus speaking to the young men one of them had impure thoughts. A cloud came down an enveloped this young man. When the cloud left the earth the young man was left there-only a skeleton. The Maiden commanded the other young man to turn his back toward her and face in the direction of the camp, then to start for home. He was ordered not to look back.

When the young man came in sight of the camp he ran in a zigzag course, this being a signal required of such parties on returning home from a searching or scouting expedition. The people in the camp were on alret for the signal, and preparations were begun at once to escort the party home. Just outside the council lodge, in front of the door, an old man qualified to perform the ceremony was waiting anxiously for the party. He knelt in the direction of the coming of the party to receive the report of the expedition. A row of old men were kneeling behind him. The young man arrived at the lodge. Great curiosity was shown by the people on account of the missing member of the party. The report was made and the people received it with enthusiasm.

The special lodge was made, and the other requirements were carried out. The crier announced in the whole camp what was to take place on the following morning. Great preparations were made for the occasion. Early the next morning, at daybreak, men, women and children assembled around the special lodge. Young men who were known to bear unblemished characters were chosen to escort the Maiden into the camp. Promptly at sunrise she was in sight. All eyes were fixed on the Maiden. Slowly she walked into the camp. She was dressed as when she first appeared to the two young men except that instead of the sage fan she carried a pipe-the stem was carried with her right hand and the bowl with the left.

The chief, who was qualified and authorized to receive the guest in behalf of the Sioux tribe, sat outside, right in front of the door of the lodge, facing the direction of the coming of the Maiden. When she was at the door the chief stepped aside and made room for her to enter. She entered the lodge, went to the left of the door, and was seated at the place of honor.

The chief made a speech welcoming the Maiden as follows:
"My dear relatives, this day Waka'ntanka has again looked down and smiled upon us by sending us this young Maiden, whom we shall recognize and consider as a sister. She has come to our rescue just as we are in great need. Waka'ntanka wishes us to live. This day we lift up our eyes to the sun, the giver of light, that opens our eyes and gives us this beautiful day to see our visiting sister. Sister, we are glad that you have come to us, and trust that whatever message you have brought we may be able to abide by it. We are poor, but we have a great respect to visitors, especially relatives. It is our custom to serve our guests with some special food. We are at present needy and all we have to offer you is water, that falls from the clouds. Take it, drink it, and remember that we are very poor."

Then braided sweetgrass was dipped into a buffalo horn containing rain water and was offered to the Maiden. The chief said, "Sister, we are now ready to hear the message you have brought." The pipe which was in the hands of the Maiden, was lowered and placed on the rack. Then the Maiden sipped the water from the sweetgrass.

Then, taking up the pipe again, she arose and said:
"My relatives, brothers and sisters, Waka'ntanka has looked down, and smiles upon us this day because we have met as belonging to one family. The best thing in a family is a good feeling toward every member of the family. I am proud to become a member of your family-a sister to you all. The sun is your grandfather, and he is the same to me. Your tribe has the distinction of being always very faithful to promises, and of possessing great respect and reverence toward sacred things. It is known also that nothing but good feeling prevails in the tribe, and that whenever any member has been found guilty of committing any wrong, that member has been cast out and not allowed to mingle with the other members of the tribe. For all these good qualities in the tribe you have been chosen as worthy and deserving of all good gifts. I represent the Buffalo tribe, who have sent you this pipe. You are to receive this pipe in the name of all the common people. Take it, and use it according to my directions. The bowl of the pipe is red stone-a stone not very common and found only at a certain place. This pipe shall be used as a peacemaker. The time will come when you shall cease hostilities against other nations. Whenever peace is agreed upon between two tribes or parties, this pipe shall be a binding instrument. By this pipe the medicine-men shall be called to administer help to the sick."

Turning to the women, she said:
"My dear sisters, the women, you have a hard life to live in this world, yet without you this life would not be what it is. Waka'ntanka intends that you shall bear much sorrow-comfort others in time of sorrow. By your hands the family moves. You have been given the knowledge of making clothing and of feeding the family. Waka'ntanka is with you in your sorrows and joins you in your griefs. He has given you the great gift of kindness toward every living creature on earth. You he has chosen to have a feeling for the dead who are gone. He knows that you remember the deadlonger than do the men. He knows that you love your children dearly."

Then turning to the children:
"My little brothers and sisters, your parents were once little children like you, but in the course of time they became men and women. All living creatures were once small, but if no one took care of them they would never grow up. Your parents love you and have made many sacrifices for your sake in order that Waka'ntanka may listen to them, and that nothing but good may come to you as you grow up. I have brought this pipe for them, and you shall reap some benefit from it. Learn to respect and reverence this pipe, and above all, lead pure lives. Waka'ntanka is your great grandfather."

Turning to the men:
"Now my dear brothers, in giving you this pipe you are expected to use it for nothing but good purposes. The tribe as a whole shall depend upon it for their necessary needs. You realize that all your necessities of life come from the earth below, the sky above, and the four winds. Whenever you do anything wrong against these elements they will always take some revenge upon you. You should reverence them. Offer sacrifices through this pipe. When you are in need of buffalo meat, smoke this pipe and ask for what you need and it shall be granted you. On you it depends to be a strong help to the women in the raising of children. Share the women's sorrow. Waka'ntanka smiles on the man who has a kind feeling for a woman, because the woman is weak. Take this pipe, and offer it to Waka'ntanka daily. Be good and kind to the little children."

Turning to the chief:
"My older brother, you have been chosen by these people to receive this pipe in the name of the whole Sioux tribe. Waka'ntanka is pleased and glad this day because you have done what it is required and expected that every good leader should do. By this pipe the tribe shall live. It is your duty to see that this pipe is respected and reverenced. I am proud to be called a sister. May Waka'ntanka look down on us and take pity on us and provide us with what we need. Now we shall smoke the pipe."

Then she took the glowing buffalo chip which lay on the ground, lighted the pipe, and pointing to the sky with the stem of the pipe she said, "I offer this to Waka'ntanka for all the good that comes from above." Pointing to the earth, "I offer this to the earth, whence come all good gifts." Pointing to the cardinal points, "I offer this to the four winds, whence come all good things." Then she took a puff of the pipe, passed it to the chief, and said, "Now my dear brothers and sisters, I have done the work for which I was sent here and now I will go, but I do not wish any escort. I only ask that the way be cleared before me."

Then, rising, she started, leaving the pipe with the chief, who ordered that the people be quiet until their sister was out of sight. She came out of the tent on the left side, walking very slowly, as soon as she was outside the entrance she turned into a white buffalo calf.

Taken from:

Densmore, Frances.
1918. Teton Sioux Music. Bulletin 61, Bureau of American Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office. (pp. 63-66)

*******

Recently, I was asked if I knew the date the White Buffalo Calf Pipe was given to the Lakota people. In addition to the oral history that I have been exposed to by certain elders, I thought I'd also provide some literary sources on the subject, in case others want to do their own study on the subject.

According to John L. Smith in "A Short History of the Sacred Calf Pipe of the Teton Dakota", he speculates the date the White Buffalo Calf Pipe was given was somewhere in the vicinity of 1785 to 1800, based on testimony he gained from Lakota informants.

However, according to Garrick Mallery in "Picture Writing of the American Indians", he cites evidence on two different, very old wintercounts, both pinpointing the date the White Buffalo Calf Pipe was given as 1540.

Yet Frances Densmore in "Teton Sioux Music" states that according to Lakota informants in 1916, the White Buffalo Calf Pipe bundle was at that time about 300 years old, putting the origin at about 1616.

There are varying lists of Keepers of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle with different amounts of names.

(Curtis, 1930) lists 7 Keepers
(Mekeel, 1931) lists 9 Keepers
(Left Heron, 1931) lists 8 Keepers
(Thomas, 1934) lists 10 Keepers
(Smith, 1966) lists 13 Keepers

The most common versions of the name attributed to the first Keeper has been,

Walking Standing Buffalo
Standing Walking Buffalo
Buffalo Stands Upwards
Buffalo Standing Upward
Standing Hollow Horn

References:

Brown, Joseph Epes
1953. The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk's Account of the Seven Sacred Rites of the Oglala Sioux. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.

Curtis, Edward S.
1930. The North American Indian: (1907-1930). ed. Frederick Webb Hodge, 20 Volumes, Harvard University Press - Cambridge, MA, and Plimpton Press - Norwood, MA.

DeMallie, Raymond J.
1984. The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Niehardt. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

Densmore, Frances
1918. Teton Sioux Music. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 61, Washington DC. (pp. 63-66)

Dorsey, George A.
1906. Legend of the Teton Sioux Medicine Pipe. Journal of American Folk Lore, vol. 19. (pp. 326-329)

Marrery, Garrick
1889. Picture Writing of the American Indians. Bureau of American Ethnology, Tenth Annual Report, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.

Mekeel, H. Scudder.
1931. Field Notes: Summer of 1931, White Clay District, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. Archives of the Department of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY.

Niehardt, John G.
1932. Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

Smith, John L.
1964. A Ceremony for the Preperation of the Offering Cloths for Presentation to the Sacred Calf Pipe of the Teton Sioux. Plains Anthropologist vol. 9, no.25.
1967. A Short History of the Sacred Calf Pipe Bundle of the Teton Dakota. University Museum News vol. 28, nos. 7 - 8, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD.
1970. The Sacred Calf Pipe Bundle: It's Effect on the Present Teton Dakota. Plains Anthropologist vol. 15, no. 48.

St. Pierre, Mark and Tilda Long Soldier
1995. Walking in the Sacred Manner: Healers, Dreamers, and Pipe Carriers--Medicine Women of the Plains. Touchstone Books.

Thomas, Sidney J.
1941. A Sioux Medicine Bundle. American Anthropologist, vol. 43, (pp. 605-609)

Walker, James R.
1982. Lakota Belief and Ritual. edited by Raymond J. DeMallie and Elaine A. Jahner. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, (pp. 109-112, pp. 148-150)

[Dietmar]

Thanks LaDonna and HinTamaheca.

I see now that the information I posted above has already been discussed very controversial on various websites and forums.

[miyelo]

the pipe is not there. has been gone a long time. cannot say more.

[ladonna]

The pipe was brought out last year

[miyelo]

not the same pipe.

[ladonna]

The Keepers

1. Standing Walking Buffalo.
2. Thinking While Walking.
3. Many Wounds.
4. Strikes Fire.
5. Red Earth.
6. Sun Rise.
7. Buffalo Path.
8. Elkhead.
9. Red Hair (Old Man Elkhead), died 1916, aged 91.
10. Red Eagle (Mrs. Bad Warrior)

1. Standing Walking Buffalo.
2. Thinking While Walking.
3. Many Wounds.
4. Strikes Fire.
5. Red Earth.
6. Sun Rise.
7. Buffalo Path.
8. Elkhead.
9. Red Hair (Old Man Elkhead), died 1916, aged 91.
10. Red Eagle (Mrs. Bad Warrior)


1. Standing Buffalo Walking
2. Buffalo Road
3. Imagine Walking
4. Turning Heart
5. Elk Head
6. also Elk Head
7. also Elk Head
8. Red Hair
9. Not Put the Stick in the Fire (temporary)
10. Red Hair/Elk Head




"There are varying lists of Keepers of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle with different amounts of names. (Curtis, 1916) lists 7 Keepers; (Mekeel, 1931) lists 9 Keepers; (Left Heron, 1931) lists 8 Keepers; (Thomas, 1934) lists 10 Keepers; and (Smith, 1966) lists 13 Keepers.

The most common versions of the name attributed to the first Keeper have been, Walking Standing Buffalo; or Standing Walking Buffalo; or Buffalo Stands Upwards; or Buffalo Standing Upward; or Standing Hollow Horn.

There are various differences as to who held the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle after the first Keeper, but most agree that Elk Head, aka Red Hair, (b. 1818 - d. 1916) was one of the Keepers who obtained the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle from his father, who was also known as Elk Head. See photo of Elk Head (b. 1818 - d. 1916) and the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle below, taken by Edward S. Curtis in 1907.

When Elk Head died in 1916, the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle went to his daughter, Martha Bad Warrior, aka Red Eagle Woman, (b. 1854 - d. 1936).

When Martha Bad Warrior died in 1936, the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle went to her son, Ehli Bad Warrior, (b. 1882 - d. 1959).

When Ehli Bad Warrior died in 1959, the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle went to his sister, Lucy (Bad Warrior) Looking Horse, (b. 1891 - d. 1966).

Just before Lucy (Bad Warrior) Looking Horse died in 1966, she chose to pass over her son, Stanley Looking Horse, and pass the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle to then 12 year old grandson, Arvol Looking Horse, (b. 1954) the current Keeper."
Standing Hollow Horn (received the Sacred Calf Pipe)
Two Runs (the first keeper who lived 101 years)
Bad Warrior (who lived 109 years)
Elk Head (who lived 80 years)
Martha Bad Warrior

the list of the Pipe Keepers: given by Sidney J. Thomas:
1. Standing Walking Buffalo.
2. Thinking While Walking.
3. Many Wounds.
4. Strikes Fire.
5. Red Earth.
6. Sun Rise.
7. Buffalo Path.
8. Elkhead.
9. Red Hair (Old Man Elkhead), died 1916, aged 91.
10. Red Eagle (Mrs. Bad Warrior)
and the list of Pipe Keepers given by Curtis.

1. Tatanka-najhin, Standing Buffalo, who is said to have received it directly from White Buffalo Woman.
2. The next keeper was the brother of Standing Buffalo, Pehinsha, Red Hair.
3. The pipe then descended to Hehaka-pa, Elk Head, who was succeeded by his brother, Mato-makpa, Bear's Ear.
5. Then followed in order Wi-hi nanpa, Rising Sun;
6. He-hehiiloghesha, Hollow Horn;
7. and the present guardian, Hehaka-pa, Elk Head.

Left Heron gave the list of Keepers of the Pipe as:
1. Standing Buffalo Walking
2. Rising Sun
3. Bear Ears
4. Elk Head
5. Red Hair
6. Grey Buffalo Cow Bull
7. Hollow Horn
8. Elk Head

Ernest Two Runs and his brother Elias Elk Head gave them as follows:
1. Standing Buffalo Walking
2. Buffalo Road
3. Imagine Walking
4. Turning Heart
5. Elk Head
6. also Elk Head
7. also Elk Head
8. Red Hair
9. Not Put the Stick in the Fire (temporary)
10. Red Hair/Elk Head
The information was cited was given by Ernest Two Runs and Elias Elk Head to anthropologist Scudder Mekeel on Sept. 6, 1931 at Green Grass Creek, Cheyenne River Reservation:

[wanbli]

Sorry guys, I m new here but i would like to find the pdf version of papers:
Mekeel, H.S. 1932. Field Notes Summer of 1931 and 1932. White Clay District, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. New York: Archives of the Department of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History.

and

Simms, T.E. 1987. The Sacred Calf Pipe. OAH Magazine of History 2/3: 12-15.

Could somebody help me?

Thank You in advanced

joe

[Henri]

Joe,

You may contact Kristen Mable ( [e-mail] ) and ask what you need. I did this several years ago and it was send to me.

Regards, Henri

[wanbli]

thanks a lot, friend
j.