The Sacred Pipe (Blackfoot)
The Blackfoot believe the sacred pipe was given to them by the Thunder spirit, who taught them the songs and rituals for its use. A man once heard thunder and saw a lightning-struck tree. Where the lightning had struck, he found a beautifully carved pipe. The Thunder spirit spoke to him, instructing him to form a society of pipe keepers. The pipe would be used for healing, peace-making, and communicating with the spirit world. The Blackfoot Medicine Pipe ceremony involves elaborate rituals, the smoking of the pipe, and the offering of prayers to Apistotoke for the well-being of the people.