The story of how the Piegan, a prominent division of the Blackfoot Confederacy, first acquired horses is woven into the fabric of their cultural heritage, a tale passed down through generations. It speaks not only of the acquisition of a vital resource but also of the spiritual connection between the Piegan people and the natural world, highlighting the role of dreams, divine guidance, and the wisdom of the ancients. This is the story of how a Piegan warrior, guided by a dream and the counsel of Old Man, brought the first horses to his people, forever changing their way of life.
In the days before the horse, the Piegan relied on the strength of dogs to pull travois and carry burdens. Life was a constant struggle against the vast distances and harsh landscapes of the Great Plains. But a change was on the horizon, carried on the wind of a prophetic dream.
A young warrior, his name now lost to the mists of time, experienced a vivid dream of a distant lake. In this dream, he saw large, unknown animals grazing peacefully by the water’s edge. A voice, imbued with the authority of the spirit world, spoke to him, revealing that these creatures were docile and could be used to ease the burdens of the Piegan people, much like their faithful dogs. The voice instructed him to travel to the lake, armed with a rope, and capture one of these animals.
Upon awakening, the warrior, driven by the conviction of his dream, prepared for his journey. He fashioned a strong rope from the hide of a bull buffalo, carefully cutting and braiding the tough material. The journey was long and arduous, undertaken entirely on foot. He traversed vast stretches of prairie, his determination fueled by the promise of his dream. Finally, he reached the shores of the lake, a shimmering expanse of water reflecting the endless sky.
Following the instructions from his dream, the warrior dug a shallow pit in the sandy beach, carefully concealing himself from view. He waited patiently, his eyes scanning the landscape, observing the diverse wildlife that came to drink at the lake. Deer, coyotes, elk, and buffalo – all the familiar creatures of the plains – quenched their thirst at the water’s edge. But the animals he sought remained elusive.
As the day wore on, the wind began to pick up, stirring the surface of the lake into a frenzy of waves. The rhythmic crashing of the water against the shore grew louder, creating a symphony of nature. Then, emerging from the distance like apparitions, a herd of animals unlike any the Piegan had ever seen appeared on the horizon.
These creatures were large, comparable in size to elk, but their features were distinctly different. They possessed small, alert ears and long, flowing tails that reached the ground. Their coats displayed a spectrum of colors – some were pure white, others jet black, while still others boasted shades of red and intricate patterns of spots. Amongst the adults were the young ones, smaller in stature but possessing the same distinctive characteristics. These were the animals from his dream – the animals that would change everything for the Piegan.
As the herd approached the water’s edge, bending their heads to drink, the voice from the dream echoed in the warrior’s mind: "Throw your rope and catch one." He obeyed without hesitation. He sprang from his hiding place and cast the rope towards the largest animal he could see.
The rope landed true, encircling the animal’s neck. The creature reacted instantly, rearing back in surprise and panic. A fierce struggle ensued. The powerful animal pulled and dragged the warrior across the sandy beach, its strength far exceeding his own. Despite his valiant efforts, he was unable to hold on. The rope slipped from his grasp, and with a final, desperate surge, the entire herd plunged into the lake and disappeared beneath the waves.
Dejected and disheartened, the warrior returned to his camp, his dream seemingly shattered. He sought solace in his lodge, offering prayers to the spirit voice that had guided him. The voice responded, its tone both encouraging and cautionary. "Four times you may try to catch these animals," it declared. "If in four attempts you do not succeed, you will never see them again."
That night, the Piegan warrior, burdened by the weight of his failure, sought the wisdom of Old Man, a revered figure in their culture, known for his profound knowledge and connection to the spirit world. As the warrior slept, Old Man appeared to him in a dream, revealing the reason for his previous failure. He explained that the warrior’s strength was insufficient to capture one of the fully grown animals. "Try to catch one of the young animals," Old Man advised, "and then you can hold it."
The following morning, renewed with hope and guided by the wisdom of Old Man, the warrior returned to the shores of the lake. He once again dug a hole in the sand, patiently awaiting the arrival of the mysterious herd. As before, the animals eventually appeared, drawn to the life-giving water.
Remembering Old Man’s advice, the warrior focused his attention on the younger members of the herd. He waited for the opportune moment and, with a surge of adrenaline, cast his rope towards one of the colts. This time, his efforts were rewarded. The rope secured itself around the young animal’s neck, and although it struggled, the warrior was able to hold on, his grip firm and unwavering.
One by one, he captured the young animals, carefully leading them back to the Piegan camp. The arrival of these strange creatures caused a mixture of fear and excitement among the people. They had never seen anything like them before, and their size and power were both intimidating and intriguing.
After a short period, the mares, the mothers of the captured colts, followed their offspring to the camp. Their udders were swollen with milk, a testament to their maternal instinct and a reassurance to the anxious colts. Soon after, the stallions, the powerful leaders of the herd, also arrived, their presence asserting dominance and completing the family unit.
Initially, the Piegan people were hesitant to approach the new animals, their fear outweighing their curiosity. But the warrior who had captured them reassured his people, explaining that the animals were harmless and could be of great benefit to them. Gradually, the horses grew accustomed to the presence of humans, becoming increasingly tame and docile. They followed the people as they moved their camp from place to place, their loyalty growing with each passing day.
Eventually, the Piegan began to utilize the horses for practical purposes. They placed packs on their backs, using their newfound strength to carry burdens that had previously been borne by dogs or by the people themselves. They called these animals "po-no-kah-mita," which translates to "elk dog," a name that reflected their size and their ability to carry packs like dogs.
The acquisition of the horse revolutionized the Piegan way of life. It transformed them into skilled hunters and formidable warriors, allowing them to travel greater distances, hunt more efficiently, and defend their territory with greater effectiveness. The horse became an integral part of their culture, deeply intertwined with their spiritual beliefs and their very identity. The tale of the Piegan warrior who caught the first horses remains a testament to the power of dreams, the wisdom of the ancients, and the enduring connection between the Piegan people and the natural world. It is a story that continues to be told, passed down through generations, reminding them of their resourcefulness, their adaptability, and the transformative power of the horse.