Importance of Animals

In the crow tribe animals were an important part of their life and religion. One way animals were a vital part of their life cycle was because they provided everything they needed for life. For example, buffalo nearly ran the Crow’s life. They followed the buffalo around to hunt them for food, shelter, and clothing. Whenever they killed a buffalo the Crow always treated them with respect and honor. Another way animals were an important part of the Crow life was because many natives had names of animals. For example, in Linderman’s account of Plenty Coups vision. there were names such as Coyote Runs, Yellow Bear, and Plain-Bull. These people helped interpret and figure out the dream, so one can see that having a name like an animal is a great honor for Native Americans especially Crow. Another example would also be from Vision Quest Structures. Plenty Coups was on his first vision at the age of ten. While on it he saw many buffalo pouring out of a hole in the ground and spread over the plains only to pop into nothing. Many more spotted buffalo (cows) came out of the hole and covered the plains.  Another example of an animal in Plenty Coups vision was the chickadee. In the end of his vision Plenty Coup saw a dark forest, and in that forest one tree with a lone chickadee. This bird taught Plenty Coup to be wise and to listen to others just like the chickadee does in real life. It never barges in and always hears with a steady mind. The inclusion of animals in Crow culture was huge and important and to be put on a vision quest with that much animal interaction was very honorable.
by Mavrick