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Blackfoot Discoveries: Blackfoot Stories: The War-Trail of Sin'opa

Our summary of the Ancient Story told by:
Sarah & Ashley

A long time ago there was a story told about a woman named Sin'opa who wanted to be a warrior and go on raids with the men. The men thought that she wouldn't make a good warrior because she was a woman. So one night when the men were heading out for a war party, Sin'opa snuck out and joined them. The warriors were mad because she was not a warrior and should be home doing woman's work. She convinced the Chief and warriors to let her go on the raid and she proved she was a good warrior as she captured 8 horses and one scalp. She went on to become a great warrior and eventually a War Chief.
One day while raiding horses she was killed. To this day she is a legend to the Blackfoot people and the elders honor her by telling this legend to their sons.


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

  • They went on raids and stole horses and were always in groups
  • Someone sometimes dies
  • A girl or a boy is usually brave.

We think the story was told so that...

  • The children would know that they can do anything they want to do if they are brave enough

Copyright for student work remains with the authors.
All else copyright © 2002 Pam Irving, Lorraine Flavelle and Galileo Educational Network Association™