The Artistry of the Land

Blackfoot Discoveries: Blackfoot Stories: The Moon and the Seven Singers

Our summary of the Ancient Story told by Shaye & Kasey

A long time ago, the Blackfoot people were starving because there were no buffalo in sight. Moon Eagle went out onto the prairie and sacrificed the ends of his fingers to the Sky People and prayed for help. In a dream-vision, an eagle ordered him to look for a large rock with an eagle skeleton in the hollow part of it and to burn every bone of the eagle 4 times except the wing bone. When the fire was almost out, Moon Eagle had finished the whistle and he began to blow and when the echo of the seventh sound of the whistle had died away a beautiful girl and seven singers appeared to help. Each blew the bone whistle four times and the singers were turned into wolves to bring the buffalo to the Blackfoot camp. Once they had helped, they returned to Sky Country and became the Seven wolves - the stars of the Dipper. The bone whistle was used in rituals but could never again call down the Sky People to help.

What did we hear in this story that we have heard in other stories?

Sky people are often mentioned.
there is always a problem to be solved.
the main character is usually younger.
The Blackfoot are often starving and buffalo are often talked about.

Why was this story told? We think this story teaches us...

That no matter how old you are, you can do what you set out to do if you do your personal best just like Moon Eagle
That customs and rituals are important.