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Seizer of Eagles

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James Willard Schultz

Seizer of Eagles

Paperback (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Sept. 4, 2017)
J. W. Schultz (1859–1947) was an author, explorer, and historian known for his historical writings of the Blackfoot Indian life in the late 1800s, when he lived among them as a fur trader. In 1907, Schultz published My Life as an Indian, the first of many future writings about the Blackfeet that he would produce over the next thirty years. Schultz lived in Browning, Montana. In 1922 this Plains Veteran published "Seizer of Eagles"; as to be expected it is“real stuff,” vivid and exciting, with the value that comes from firsthand knowledge. "Seizer of Eagles" is the true story of the Blackfeet youth "Little Otter" and how he earned the right to become known as "Old Sun, Seizer of Eagles.” The author states that this is a true story told him by Little Otter himself. It tells of the youth's ambition to become a seizer of eagles, of his preparation, fast and training before he makes the first trial. To be a seizer of eagles is a position of great distinction among the Blackfeet tribes and in order to merit it vigorous fasts have to be endured, feats of archery accomplished and many religious rites performed. Little Otter starts out with a happy heart, and with the help of old Red Wings the great Sun priest begins his quest. The book was well-received at the time of its publication: “An authentic tale of the Blackfeet Indians especially for those with a strong urge for adventure.” The Continent “A genuine account of the way a plucky Indian lad, 'Little Otter,' was fired with the desire to attain the right to be called a 'seizer of eagles,' and of his thrilling experiences on the road to achievement. The simple, straightforward style is adapted to convey the atmosphere of this well-rounded story of Indian life.” - Bibliography Bulletin Little Otter was only in his eighteenth summer and has not yet endured the sacred fast and the chiefs would not allow him to go out with a war party. His mother takes him back to her own tribe, and there he has a wonderful vision, kills a bear, then an enemy and takes an enemy horse; so even his grandmother, who is usually “cross for his own good,” calls him her avenger, and Red Wings acclaims him “my young warrior." Thus, after passing these trials he is allowed the right to attempt to become a seizer of eagles. Will his ambition finally be realized? Little Otter states: "I now saw why so few men became seizers of eagles: they couldn’t bear the long waiting and suspense in the pit, nor the thought of the eagle’s poison claws and beak. Enemies they gladly faced, to kill or be killed, but they feared the eagle! I prayed constantly now for help!" Little Otter described with awe his first impression of the heroic "seizer of eagles": "...We saw Lone Man coming into camp with a large eagle upon his back. He was very tall, was Lone Man, yet the spread of the wings of the eagle was far more than the height of him. As he came on, the widespread wings danced in time to his steps; the broad tail of beautiful white, black-tipped feathers fluffed against his high-piled hair braids; the head of the bird swayed below the level of his knees. ...turning, I said to my grandmother: 'I want to be, I shall be, like him, a seizer of eagles!'" The events take place in the region which is now Glacier National Park, and it is likely that "Old Sun Glacier" is named after the hero of this book as Schultz became a park guide and was instrumental in naming the various topographical features of the park. Interestingly, Schultz mentions a now forgotten sacred monument not marked on any map called Stone Bull, or Okwitok-Stumik, described as "a large rock having the appearance of a buffalo bull lying down. ... It was greatly venerated by the Blackfeet tribes. Prayers and offerings to it were believed to bring good success in war and in hunting."
ISBN
1976077168 / 9781976077166
Pages
114
Weight
8.0 oz.
Dimensions
6.0 x 0.3 in.

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