"Participation in the dance was entirely voluntary, a mental vow to worship the Mystery in this manner being expressed by a man ardently desiring the recovery of a sick relative; or surrounded by an enemy with escape apparently impossible; or, it might be, dying of hunger â€¦ since some inscrutable power had swept all game from forest and prairie. Others joined in the ceremony in the hope and firm belief that the Mystery â€¦would grant them successes against the enemy and consequent eminence at home."

Source : Edward S. Curtis (2015). “The Teton Sioux, The Yanktonai, The Assiniboin”, p.88, Native American Book Publishers, LLC

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