The Seven Visions of Bull Lodge: As Told by His Daughter, Garter Snake [Paperback]

George P. Horse Capture (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1992

'Provides real insight into the religion of the nineteenth-century Gros Ventre (Atsina) Indians. Known to themselves as the White Clay People, this little-known tribe now shares the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana with the Assiniboines. However, throughout much of their recorded history they were allied with the Blackfeet. The book is a record of the spiritual life of Bull Lodge (born ca 1802, died 1886), religions leader, healer, and for a time, keeper of the Feathered Pipe, one of the two tribal objects of the Gros Ventres...[It] makes absorbing reading. Beginning at the age of twelve. Bull Lodge sought spiritual power through the tribal Feathered Pipe. From the ages of seventeen to twenty-three he was favoured with a series of seven visions on seven buttes that together outline a Gros Ventre cultural geography...''The strength of the narrative is the rich detail of ritual description: fasting, sacrifices, vision experiences, the practices of healing. By describing ritual in the context of a man's life, the book gives a uniquely historical understanding of the dynamics of traditional religious life. It provides deeper understanding of the Gros Ventres' way of life and gives a valuable comparative perspective on plains Indian religion' - Raymond J. DeMallie, "Western Historical Quarterly". George Horse Capture is field manager of Fort Belknap Ventures Inc., a tribal enterprise to develop and market traditional Indian art. At present he is helping to establish a tribal museum.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Horse Capture is field manager of Fort Belknap Ventures. Inc., a tribal enterprise to develop and market traditional Indian art. At present he is helping to establish a tribal museum.

Product Details

• Paperback: 125 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803272561
• ISBN-13: 978-0803272569
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lesson in Spiritual Growth, May 9, 2001

By 

Ruth Burleigh (Chinook, Montana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seven Visions of Bull Lodge: As Told by His Daughter, Garter Snake (Paperback)

The Seven Visions of Bull Lodge is one of a very limited literary source or documentation of the Gros Ventre (Grow-Von) American Indain Tribe of Northern Montana. Known to themselves as the White Clay People, Bull Lodge was a powerful spiritual healer and warrior, being one of the last fully authorized Keepers of the White Clay People's sacred Feathered Pipe. The information comes from the Depression Era (1930) as told by Bull Lodge's daughter, Garter Snake. Fred Gone translates the story of her father's spiritual and leadership journey. George Horse Capture, Sr. ed. the text to introduce the reader to the issues and worldviews of the White Clay People.

Anyone interested in authentic tradtional culture and an understanding of the sacred lands of Montana will find the book of interest. Anyone seeking to learn more about the Great Plains Cultures will find this book insightfull.

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Visions of Bull Lodge, April 13, 2010

By 

Velvett (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Seven Visions of Bull Lodge: As Told by His Daughter, Garter Snake (Paperback)

A great book about the White Clay Nation's (Gros Ventre) Leader, Healer, and Chief, Bull Lodge.
It's such a good book, I read in one sitting and that rarely happens.