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Various Sizes - Matted Prints
To the Blackfeet Indians of the Northern Plains, the discovery of the horse brought abundance. For a people who spent most of their time gathering the bare necessities for survival, the horse meant more food from the hunt, faster travel, the ability to carry more possessions, and more leisure time.
When the first horses migrated to the Northern Plains they were seen as mysterious animals that were larger than a great elk but could be tamed and used to carry a burden like a dog. These animals were said to be swift, strong, gentle and beautiful beyond imagination. Therefore to the Blackfeet, these were the Ponokáómitaa or Elk Dogs.
This Blackfeet warrior has forged a spiritual relationship with his Elk Dog. Plains tribes embraced the horse as a brother in the spirit and a link to the supernatural realm. A swift and nimble horse was also essential to a warrior during battle or while hunting and the horse was even incorporated into certain ceremonies. Dressing your horse in as fine a regalia as yourself showed the intense bond between horse and rider as well as serving to imbue the horse with the same powerful medicine that is thought to be possessed in special articles of clothing.
Click on Photo to view Full Image
Various Sizes - Matted Prints
To the Blackfeet Indians of the Northern Plains, the discovery of the horse brought abundance. For a people who spent most of their time gathering the bare necessities for survival, the horse meant more food from the hunt, faster travel, the ability to carry more possessions, and more leisure time.
When the first horses migrated to the Northern Plains they were seen as mysterious animals that were larger than a great elk but could be tamed and used to carry a burden like a dog. These animals were said to be swift, strong, gentle and beautiful beyond imagination. Therefore to the Blackfeet, these were the Ponokáómitaa or Elk Dogs.
This Blackfeet warrior has forged a spiritual relationship with his Elk Dog. Plains tribes embraced the horse as a brother in the spirit and a link to the supernatural realm. A swift and nimble horse was also essential to a warrior during battle or while hunting and the horse was even incorporated into certain ceremonies. Dressing your horse in as fine a regalia as yourself showed the intense bond between horse and rider as well as serving to imbue the horse with the same powerful medicine that is thought to be possessed in special articles of clothing.
Click on Photo to view Full Image