by Ernest Thompson Seton
Indian Lore
(Anishanabe)
The Degree of Indian Lore may be conferred on any one who takes twenty of these tests
1. Outline the religion of the high-class Indian. (See Book of Woodcraft.)
2. State what were the Indian's special virtues.
3. State what were his special vices.
4. State what was the great mistake of his creed.
5. State why William Penn was peculiar in having no trouble with Indians.
6. Be the possessor of three genuine articles of old style Indian make, such as basket, beadwork, quillwork, silver work, pottery, stone work, blankets, war club, bow, quiver, arrows, peace pipe, etc.; and know to what tribe the makers belong, what materials were used in their construction, and how they were made. These may be got from the Mohonk Lodge Colony, Oklahoma, and so help the Indians.
7. Know the original hunting grounds, and give an outline of the history and present condition of one tribe of Indians.
8. Know the uses and meaning of the design or symbols on some Indian article, or something of the ceremony in which it is used.
9. Sing six genuine Indian songs in Council.
10. Tell six Indian legends at the Council.
11. Draw ten genuine Indian symbols and explain them.
12. Name the Indian tribes that originally inhabited your state. Give their present numbers and location, also their economic and religious condition.
13. Give brief sketch of the lives, aims, and achievements of four great or well-known Indian chiefs.
14. Give brief sketch of the lives, aims, and achievements of four great or well-known Indian women.
15. Be able to distinguish from each other four types of baskets characteristic of four different tribes.
16. Distinguish in general the pottery of four different tribes.
17. Be able to indicate and discuss the genuine Navajo blankets.
18. Be able to indicate and discuss the genuine Balleta.
19. Be able to indicate and discuss the genuine Chimayo.
20. Be able to indicate and discuss the genuine Hopi.
21. Be able to indicate and discuss the genuine Chilkat.
22. Be able to indicate and discuss the Germantown.
23. Be able to indicate and discuss the genuine Serape.
24. Tell approximately the age of a blanket.
25. Distinguish the three or four general styles of beadwork and the regions of which they were characteristic.
26. Visit in person and stay at least a week with some tribe that is not scattered.
27. Name the Six Nations, the Plains Indians, the different tribes of Pueblo Indians, the coast (California) tribes, the Alaskan Tribes, or the Central American Tribes.
28. Know fifty signs of the sign language.
For "How To" Information, See: The Birch Bark Roll
