Snake People Woman - Portrait

Snake People Woman, seated and posing for camera, wearing ceremonial headdress of the Motokiks Society.

Historical note:

From Herstory 1995 / 20th Anniversary Edition / The Canadian's Women's Calendar: "Snake People Woman, of the Blood nation, wears the ceremonial headdress of a member of the Motokiks Society, a secret women's society and companion to the prestigious male Horn Society. It met for four days during the Medicine Lodge ceremonies, and was divided into the Snakes, the Birds, the Bulls and the Scabby Bulls; Snake People Woman's headdress belongs to the latter. Although the society was honoured and its meetings were an opportunity for others to seek prayers and blessings from the Motokiks, ceremonies transferring membership into the society were not oppressively solemn. At least one night was 'given to hilarity. Joke and jest reign supreme. Some dress like men and act out the part...". Quote from: Hungry Wolf, Adolf, 118; from notes made by David Duvall in 1905.