Bison- A legendary animal associated with Native Americans, stories, ceremonies are dedicated to this magnificent animal. It can be termed the “Great Mother” as it gives to the benefit of others, gives life and nourishment. Symbol of power, strength and endurance and teaches how to stand your ground.
Deer and Elk- The legend says, these animals have real power medicine but can be used in a way towards the good and the bad. The good it can bring solutions to matters of the heart and has a high spiritual energy. The bad, it is known the hollow sockets below their eyes has power to bring bad luck such as shooting diseased arrows to an enemy. If their tail is carried sometimes as a good luck charm it will give more power and positivity to the person but on the other hand if a person tries to harm this person bad luck will be bestowed. Another member of the Deer family, the Antelope is regarded as a good luck charm and brings prosperity.
Beaver- Intelligent, smart. It was able to outsmart predators. It used its wisdom to create safe and sacred spaces in building its home in the rivers. They were family orientated and worked together to repair and build.
Skunk- Was a powerful medicine symbol. To bring good protection, a skunk’s tail was intertwined in the horses tail before battle offering good protection. The symbol of the skunk was drawn on lodges, robes and war shields.
Badger- Is also a strength symbol, often referred to in prayers and when the pipe is offered before smoking when it is offered to the earth this is meant to acknowledge the badger.
Coyotes/Wolves- Coyotes are regarded as more intelligent and sacred acting as a guide and a warning to some event/circumstance that will happen. The coyote skin is highly regarded and spiritual and is wrapped around the highly revered medicine arrows. Wolves are rarely killed but respect them whole heartedly.
Eagles- The eagle was considered a great power and full of positive spirits. The grey eagle was the standout and their feathers were predominately used in war bonnets (it was believed a warrior wearing a war bonnet of these feathers would protect him in battle) and decorate other ornaments such as war shields, tomahawks etc. To obtain these feathers they would raid eagle nests and rear the young and once grown they would pull the rear tail feathers out. This would be done two or three times once the tail feathers grow again, so they were kept in captivity. The war whistles were made of the wing bone of the eagle. The bald tail eagle was regarded as the strongest and powerful bird it has been known it can carry a bison calf.
Other Bird Species
Blue Hawk – Swift, Protective power.
Prairie Owls – Also known as a protective power especially at night, it was believed that wearing these feathers on the arms and the head gave the person the qualities of this owl being quiet in action and being able to see at night.
Sandhill Crane – Protective power, the feathers and the skin of the heads were used as ornaments, folklore suggests that if a man in battle imitate the call of the crane no bullets can harm him. War whistles of this bird were also used. It was also regarded to be empathetic or show pity to the human soul and be connected to matters of the weather mainly lightening.
