Tobacco Society: Chief No Vitals Discovers Tobacco
The Crow people believe that tobacco was first discovered by Chief No Vitals at Devils Lake in eastern North Dakota. The Creator instructed him to seek the sacred plant, telling him that the worship of tobacco would help the Crow honor God and maintain their connection to the spirit world. Chief No Vitals found the plant and brought it back to his people, establishing the Tobacco Society (Bacu'sua). The society ensures that all rites and rituals for cultivating tobacco are performed correctly. Smoking tobacco is believed to carry prayers directly to God, as the smoke ascends to the heavens. Th