Medicine Woman/Sacred Vow Woman Term Analysis

A spiritual position taken on by one Pikuni woman during the annual summer ceremony. If a Sacred Vow Woman is found to be virtuous, then the people will prosper; if not, then the people will suffer and be plagued by bad luck. A Sacred Vow Woman is considered virtuous if the Medicine Pole erected in the center of the Medicine Lodge stands straight during the ceremony. Heavy Shield Woman takes the vow of the Sacred Woman and is declared virtuous.