The Canadian Sioux

This book explores the history and culture of the Canadian Sioux, a group often overlooked in historical studies. The Canadian Sioux offers a detailed account of their traditions and beliefs.

The Canadian Sioux are the descendants of Santees, Yanktonais, and Tetons who fled to Canada during the tumultuous 1860s and 1870s. This group, residing on eight reserves in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, remains one of the least studied among the Sioux tribes. The book, The Canadian Sioux, originally published in 1984, addresses this gap in literature, providing insights that continue to resonate in the twenty-first century.

Drawing from Howard's extensive fieldwork in the 1970s and enriched by various written sources, The Canadian Sioux reconstructs the traditional culture of these communities. Many of the practices and beliefs discussed are still alive today, even as they have faded from the memory of their relatives in the United States. The text covers a wide range of topics, including tribal divisions, documented and traditional histories, economic practices, social structures, philosophical beliefs, and ceremonial life.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the religious practices of the Canadian Sioux, detailing ceremonies such as the Vision Quest, the Medicine Feast, and the Sun Dance. This second edition of The Canadian Sioux includes previously unpublished images and original drawings by Howard, offering a rich visual context to the narrative and further enhancing its educational value.