Traditional Blackfeet Religion and the Sacred Badger-Two Medicine Wildlands

Vest, Jay Hansford C.

doi:10.2307/1051160

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…There remains a thriving traditional community for which the use of plants is associated with the practice of herbal medicines, shamanic healing, and cultural identity (Johnston, 1987). The knowledge of medicinal plants is considered by the Pikuni-Blackfeet people to be of a sacred nature and to be passed ceremonially to selected healers (Johnston, 1987; Vest, 1988). The harvesting of plants and the preparation of medicines by healers involves a number of rituals including self-purification, songs, prayers, and the use of medicinal bundles, practices that are common to most Native American tribes (Buhner, 2006; Calloway, 1997).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Blackfeet reservation is located in an ecological transition zone where the Western Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains meet to form the Rocky Mountain Front, providing a unique ecological pattern and a sanctuary for unique wildlife (Kudray, 2006). Pikuni-Blackfeet traditional medicine is intimately connected to this wildlife zone and natural areas such as the Badger-Two Medicine wildlands that bear religious significance (Vest, 1988; Zedeño, 2007). …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today the Pikuni are divided into two nations separated by the USA-Canada border – Amskapi Pikuni residing on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, and the Aupotosi Pikaani on their own reserve in Brocket, Alberta. All modern “Blackfoot” tribes remain closely affiliated despite the international border (Vest 1988). Throughout their history, Native American tribes including the Pikuni-Blackfeet tribe have considered plants to play a key role in defining their identity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pikuni-Blackfeet traditional medicine: Neuroprotective activities of medicinal plants used to treat Parkinson’s disease-related symptoms

Jacquet

Tambe

Ying

et al. 2017

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

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Ethnopharmacological relevance Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder affecting 5% of the population over the age of 85 years. Current treatments primarily involve dopamine replacement therapy, which leads to temporary relief of motor symptoms but fails to slow the underlying neurodegeneration. Thus, there is a need for safe PD therapies with neuroprotective activity. In this study, we analyzed contemporary herbal medicinal practices used by members of the Pikuni-Blackfeet tribe from Western Montana to treat PD-related symptoms, in an effort to identify medicinal plants that are affordable to traditional communities and accessible to larger populations. Aim of the study The aims of this study were to (i) identify medicinal plants used by the Pikuni-Blackfeet tribe to treat individuals with symptoms related to PD or other CNS disorders, and (ii) characterize a subset of the identified plants in terms of antioxidant and neuroprotective activities in cellular models of PD. Materials and Methods Interviews of healers and local people were carried out on the Blackfeet Indian reservation. Plant samples were collected, and water extracts were produced for subsequent analysis. A subset of botanical extracts was tested for the ability to induce activation of the Nrf2-mediated transcriptional response and to protect against neurotoxicity elicited by the PD-related toxins rotenone and paraquat. Results The ethnopharmacological interviews resulted in the documentation of 19 medicinal plants used to treat various ailments and diseases, including symptoms related to PD. Seven botanical extracts (out of a total of 10 extracts tested) showed activation of Nrf2-mediated transcriptional activity in primary cortical astrocytes. Extracts prepared from Allium sativum cloves, Trifolium pratense flowers, and Amelanchier arborea berries exhibited neuroprotective activity against toxicity elicited by rotenone, whereas only the extracts prepared from Allium sativum and Amelanchier arborea alleviated PQ-induced dopaminergic cell death. Conclusions Our findings highlight the potential clinical utility of plants used for medicinal purposes over generations by the Pikuni-Blackfeet people, and they shed light on mechanisms by which the plant extracts could slow neurodegeneration in PD.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pikuni-Blackfeet traditional medicine: Neuroprotective activities of medicinal plants used to treat Parkinson’s disease-related symptoms

Jacquet

Tambe

Ying

et al. 2017

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

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Tracing 2000 Years at the Source of the Douix, Côte-d’Or, France: Water, Offerings, and Recurrence

Erdman

Chaume

2019

Proc. Prehist. Soc.

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The Source of the Douix in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France, has been visited by local inhabitants for over 2000 years and served as a watery focal point for the ritual deposition of various types of offerings. While water deposits are by no means uncommon across Europe, the continued use of a single space over multiple millennia is. An examination of the preserved offerings at the Douix indicate there are three phases of depositional activity: late Hallstatt to early La Tène periods, late La Tène to Gallo-Roman periods, and the early modern period. Despite being separated by hundreds of years there are similarities across depositional phases including the importance of modified metallic objects, personal ornamentation, and possible connections to women. Could the persistence of these ritual practices be the result of behavioural and ideological continuities? If not, how can we interpret this complex record of intermittent deposition? We examine the deposits from each phase in their wider social and ritual contexts, including the Douix’s connection to the Hallstatt princely centre of Mont Lassois, Gallo-Roman ritual traditions, and the historic folklore surrounding springs. We then explore the inter-depositional phases and discuss the conditions that could lead to the persistence of ideas despite the dearth of material evidence and summarise what these patterns mean for the history of ritual activity at the Source of the Douix.

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Traditional Blackfeet Religion and the Sacred Badger-Two Medicine Wildlands

Cited by 2 publications

References 37 publications

Pikuni-Blackfeet traditional medicine: Neuroprotective activities of medicinal plants used to treat Parkinson’s disease-related symptoms

Pikuni-Blackfeet traditional medicine: Neuroprotective activities of medicinal plants used to treat Parkinson’s disease-related symptoms

Tracing 2000 Years at the Source of the Douix, Côte-d’Or, France: Water, Offerings, and Recurrence

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