Children are sacred in all Indigenous cultures

Children are sacred in all Indigenous cultures. Protect our children and keep them with their families.

A little Pikuni (Blackfeet) boy wearing wool leggings and a breechcloth in the 1890’s. Children wore small versions of adult clothing, included beaded outfits and dresses, along with ceremonial items such as headdresses. Boys usually wore nothing but breechcloths during warm weather, as did many men. The ears of children were pierced quite early, usually by older women who first recounted four noted deeds — like warriors — regarding such work as hide tanning and lodge (tipi) making. The main time to pierce ears was during Sun Dance inside the Medicine Lodge. Pikuni children learned by watching their elders and imitating their actions.