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331 great [?] and victory over their enemies. and charged his followers to fight like men. to be brave and strong and enjoyned [sic] the families left behind to refrain from mourning if they perished. When starting on a War party the "Dakota will "make Medecine" [sic] and the Ojibway will watch the signs of the heavens. and the flight of birds. as well as consult the [?"Jossokad".?] or priest. The breaking of a twig. the crossing of a rabbit in the trail the [?] croak of a raven. will frustrate a war [?] design and induce the party to return The Dakota do not live as the Ojibway scattered. about. but in more or less compact villages and unless for a general up rising they seldom ask assistance from the other villages.. ☒insert people.
The government of the indian tribes or nations is very primative [sic]among the Dakota. In each tribe was a head chief who was elected. by the band his place was secure after his election. formerly the office of chief descended from father to son. any son who was capable of maintaining the position might be chief. The war parties were led by a war chief who held his reign it might be only for the special expedition. Of recent years the Government has been making chiefs for the indians. If any indian was influential in the tribe and well [?] to the government. a medal was given him or an army coat and he was recognized as chief. The old time tribal chiefs. on the other hand. were chosen by the indians. the head chief was a despot He could take the property of one under him. kill his ponies or squaw. with impunity. If he killed a man under him. he might pay for him in ponies.. Superior to the head chief. (When he was not himself the Head chief.) was the medecine man. who was the one who possessed the chief influence and had insight into the unseen things of. life. [?] his word was refuted and his opinions [?]. The [?] "Sitting Bull." was such a chief. and his influence was mainly acquired. by the influence of his Medecine. The father of a family was and is the head of his family and the lives of his family are at his disposal. if one of them is killed he demands pay for it should he kill one of an other family he pays for it. a petty chief is he [?] influences a few followers. The Ojibway system of Government is much the same. New however the War Chief. is a thing of the past. The Civil chiefs are those a First Second & Third. they rank much