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Show Canyon in rich soil ( 1.2; 2.1; 3.1; 4.1), is used for the Sun Dance according to several consultants ( 2.1; 3.1). It is chewed but not swallowed by the dancers to cause them to salivate ( Jorgensen 1972: 190). Bear root can also be found in Whiterocks Canyon, Yellowstone Canyon, and along Farm Creek Road about 8,500 feet in elevation ( 4.1; 3.1; 4.4). Tule, located in the Uinta drainage and at Bullock Reservoir, are used to make Sun Dance mats ( 1.2). Peppermint is given to the dancers as an antidote for the effects of menstruating women on the Sun Dancers ( 4.2), and is typically found along the course of the Uinta River ( 4.1) and along its drainage canals, especially the Dodd, Uintah and Uintah No. 1 ( 1.2), and along the Whiterocks River ( 4.1). It may also be given to dancers during the dance for other reasons ( Smith 1974a: 198). Cattails are used for purification in the Sun Dance, and they are also located primarily along waterways in the vicinity of the Sun Dance grounds ( 4.2; Smith 1974a: 195). Sweet grass is also an important purifier used in the dance ( 4.2; Jones 1955: 250), and is located in Uinta Canyon ( 3.1; 4.1), along Pole Creek ( 1.2; 4.2) and in Whiterocks Canyon ( 4.2). Sweet sage is used in the Sun Dance for its protective and purifying properties ( 4.2; 1.2; Smith 1974a: 196), and is located principally in Uinta and Whiterocks canyons ( 1.2; 4.2). And finally, water cress may also be used in the Sun Dance and is found along the waterways of the Uinta and Whiterocks ( 1.2). Cedar is burned in the sacred fire, and its smoke is inhaled by dancers for purification ( Jorgensen 1972: 184, 205). Cedar used especially for the Sun Dance come from stands that are located along the first mile of the Uintah No. 1 Canal but there are also trees located at the mouth of Whiterocks Canyon that are used for ceremonial purposes. Both of these locations are important and should not be disturbed ( 1.2; 4.2). The soils utilized during the Sun Dance are the dust from around the Sun Dance pole itself ( which is considered powerful and life- giving) ( Jones 1955: 250), from dirt within the corral, and from clays used for painting the body of the dancer and the stalks of the saplings ( this is done to both sapling and dancer to dry them out and keep them cool) ( Jorgensen 1972: 184, 187, 209; Smith 1974a: 183- 4, 188). Clay for the Sun Dance is obtained from the Uinta drainage area as are most other Sun Dance materials ( 1.2). The Utes also use several different types of animal resources in the Sun Dance. Smith ( 1974a: 182, 186, 189), Jorgensen ( 1972: 182, 186- 7, 189), and Jones ( 1955: 247- 250) described eagle bone whistles, eagle down, and eagle feather fans as used in the Sun Dance. Sloane ( 1950: 320) also mentioned the eagle bone whistle. Hawk feathers were mentioned by Jones ( 1955: 247- 9). Jorgensen ( 1972: 182), Stewart ( 1942: 349), Jones ( 1955: 249), and Smith ( 1974a: 210) also mentioned the use of a buffalo head or robe which was placed in the crotch of the center pole. Jorgensen 106 |
