Research

Vision Quests

Vision Quests for the Crow Indian Tribe were very spiritually personal for the person taking it, but  there where also plus sides for the tribe. There were many reasons why a person would go on a vision quest. Obtaining their guardian spirit power was one reason they went. Another reason some people went was it was a ceremonial tradition.Plenty- Coups went on many spirit quests in his lifetime, his first one at age ten.#He went out into the wilderness with no food, water, or rest in order to receive a vision from a spirit. eventually He received a vision that helped him shape his and his tribes futures #.  Many things happened on a spirit quest to a person that was lucky enough to get a visit from a spirit. first of all, in order to get the vision, they would have to go days without sleep, food, water, or a fire. Sometimes an individual would self harm themselves to “increase susceptibility” to a guardian spirit.# When he/she would receive an appearance from the guardian spirit, they would be led to another world where he would be introduced to the supernatural spirit forces. After that, he/she would usually receive his power from a bear, eagle, or bison. Plenty-coups said, “he pointed,and from the peak of the Crazy mountains i saw a buffalo-bull standing where we are sitting now. i got up and started to go to the bull, because he was the person who wanted me.” Linderman was talking about Plenty-coups vision and his experience with the spirit quest. Vision quests of the Crow indian tribe were very spiritual and often a personal experience.
By McKenna