Mary Eastman

Dahcotah: Life and Legends of the Sioux Mary Eastman

Mary Eastman was the daughter of an army officer and the wife of another, the artist Seth Eastman. She traveled with her husband from the Seminoles of Florida to the Sioux of Fort Snelling, and it was during her seven years at the post in Minnesota Territory that the material for this book was gathered. The lore and legend of the Sioux Indians are dimmed by the curtain of reservation life, and the passing of more than one hundred years has modernized the primitive flavor of many of their tales. In this volume, Sioux customs and manners are presented in authentic detail by a writer who had the advantage of studying their culture before it became too mingled with the ways of the white man. First published in 1849, this lovely book recounts many of her experiences and observations, and is beautifully illustrated by her husband. This book offers a wealth of information on the Sioux Indian in western Minnesota, and of special interest are the author's descriptions of Sioux rituals, dances, and child raising practices. Although Mrs. Eastman dwells on Sioux superstitions, she includes much invaluable linguistic information in her account.