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Examining the Shamanism in
Red Willow’s Quest

Shaman or medicine men and medicine women were the healers and holy people for the Native Americans. They helped the tribal members understand their visions and dreams. They particularly helped with healings.

The book Red Willow's Quest is a well-researched book about the Shoshoni people. Written in narrative form it is the story of Red Willow, a Shoshoni maiden, who is training to become a medicine woman. She is guided in her training by her Grandfather. Grandfather is the tribe's shaman and is highly respected in the tribe.

In one part of the book, one of the warriors objects to Red Willow going on a Vision Quest because enemy warriors have been seen on Shoshoni land. Grandfather's replies as follows:

"My vision is clear; not only do I know what is happening here but I see into the future and that is why I know Red Willow must go on this quest."

"Only the world of Spirit is truly real," said Grandfather from his sleeping couch. "My vision is clear; not only do I know what is happening here but I see into the future and that is why I know Red Willow must go on this quest.

"Red Willow," Grandfather continued in a voice that carried force and power, "must follow her own path. The spirits talk to her for a special purpose. She will never be content to live as other women. An older man of more experience might understand this."

Vision Quests were an important part of training to become a Shaman. A person would go off on a quest in the wilderness. They would remain in one place for three or fourth days without sleeping or eating, waiting for a vision that would guide their life by. During her Vision Quest Red Willow is given a vision of a cave that she is to go to. Here is a scene where Red Willow is on her Vision Quest:

" I drew a circle with a stick and sat down in the center of it, planning to remain here for the next four suns and sleeps. Once Wind Chaser saw that I was not going on any farther, he disappeared into the woods. I prayed to Apo to give me a vision, then began to sing my song: Hu-nai-yiee. Gradually I felt my consciousness expand until I was one with all life. I was a deer running swiftly through the forest and an eagle flying high in the sky.

"On the third night, Oapiche, my spirit guide, came again and took me into the spirit world. I found myself in a shimmering white body beside Oapiche outside the entrance to a cave. He led me through the cave to an opening that held many ancient objects. I could feel the power radiating out from them. He told me in thought impressions to find my personal totem, which would give me strong medicine. I examined a pipe and reverently touched a painted shield with feathers on it, then reached out to clasp a small sculpture. The inner vision faded and I found myself back in my body. I continued to pray in hopes that my Spirit Guide would return and take me back to the cave. He did not reappear. I was left wondering at the meaning of the vision and if the cave existed in the physical world."

When Red Willow returns to her tribe, Grandfather helps her understand the importance of seeing the cave and tells her she must go to it and find her talisman. Here is a scene from the book where Grandfather talks to Red Willow about the cave.

"Grandfather had taught me many things, like how to understand the hidden meaning and language of my dreams. I sewed symbols from my dreams into my clothing with beads. He also helped me to understand the meaning of my visions and to see the ways that Apo talked to me.

Grandfather added a few sticks of wood to the fire and watched the smoke thoughtfully. "A dwelling is incomplete without grandfather fire. It is sacred as is grandmother water." He turned to me. "You've seen more of your quest, and now it is time for you to go to Spirit Cave. You'll go there in search of truth and knowledge that only the spirit world can offer."

A rush of excitement went through me and I spoke without allowing him to continue. "Does Spirit Cave exist in this world? Do you know where it is?"

He looked at me sternly for being so impatient and I lowered my head. "Some of the tribe think I can no longer serve the people. They think that I am so much in the spirit world now that I can no longer advise our chief."

"Only those who have lost sight of the importance of the spirit world would say that!"

"Our lives are part of the universal circle of the nation. Our tepees are round representing the circles. Everything is a circle, the seasons, night and day, life-- it all has order. We're born at the beginning of the cycle of life and die at the end. My cycle is nearly complete. My spirit will be released soon and fly to the spirit world."

I drew in a sharp breath. "No, we still need you!"

He looked at me so long I began to feel uncomfortable. It came to me that my time of training with him was over. "No," I said, shaking my head. "There's so much I still need to learn."

"Only those who are to serve are called on to journey to Spirit Cave. You'll be a great holy woman someday. Stop fighting your path and flow with the river. It'll take you where you're meant to go. You'll face many difficulties before you finally reach Spirit Cave. It's in a part of the country you've never been to before. It would be best if you left soon; I feel a sense of urgency about this quest."

"Gray Eagle will resist this journey. Blackfeet war parties are close by."

"Leave Gray Eagle to me. Journey in the direction of the rising sun. Your guardian spirit will guide you to the cave if you're worthy. If your path becomes unclear, pray until you see the light again. Only those who are pure of heart will ever find the cave and be able to go inside it."

"I'm afraid."

He stared into the flames for a long time before he spoke. "You must face your fears. The difference between life and death is merely an illusion. All that we go through is to teach us. What does it matter whether we learn here or go on and learn in the spirit world." His eyes became distant; I knew he was seeing a vision. "The cycle of our people is changing, for our children I see pain and suffering." The mystic look cleared from his eyes and he looked very sad and weary. I realized he had grown old and frail. Always thinking of him as strong and invulnerable, it was a shock to realize he was not. "You must leave as soon as you have supplies packed. There is little time."

I trembled, afraid that when I returned from my journey he would have crossed into the Land of Shadows.

"Have courage, child. You'll find the strength to do as you must." His expression softened. "I wish I could keep you beside me to enjoy your company, but your path calls out loudly for you to follow it. Learn all you can before our ways disappear."

In training to become a shaman Red Willow goes to the cave. In the cave her sprit guide Oapiche appears and she is instructed by Shaman. The following is part of the cave experience.

I found myself back in the cave with the mountain lion and Oapiche. We walked to another opening in which there were many ancient, sacred objects. I saw ancient pipes, rattles, shields, medicine bags, bear claw necklaces, and objects of power. "Pick a talisman to take back to the world with you. Something that will remind you of what you have learned in Spirit Cave and what your destiny is."

I walked slowly forward, feeling the power of the ancient objects on the ground before me. The cavern was filled with light, though I couldn't see its source. Inwardly there was a humming in my ears. I knelt down, torn between curiosity and a reluctance to even look at the objects. They were sacred objects that had been carried by shamans and healers. I was a squaw and hardly worthy of picking one.

I built up my courage and with a trembling hand touched a pipe. It was a pipe that had been used by the elders of an ancient tribe in ceremony. I could feel the energy of those men about it. I moved my hand to a crow feather. It would be good for keeping away bad spirits. I picked up a small eagle-bone-whistle used for the sun dance by the Nimi. I set it down and reverently touched a shield. It was full of power. It would be good protection. It was painted red and on it were eagle claws and owl feathers, and an ermine pelt. I touched a small bird sculpture made of stone. All these things had power but none seemed to be right for me.

I reached out for a small round stone and as I did so the humming in my ears grew louder. I rolled it softly around in the palm of my hand. It was pleasing to look at with colorful lines going through it. Yet it seemed so small and unimportant that I started to put it back. I immediately felt a deep sense of loss. The feeling was so strong that I closed my hand around the stone and it spoke to me, telling me it would give me visions. I knew then that it was my totem and that it was as sacred as anything else in the cave. Stones hold the past memories and are as old as Mother Earth. I stood up and looked at Oapiche. "This is what I choose."

"You have chosen well. The stone will give you visions as well as protection. Put it away and keep it safe."

I untied my medicine bag and put the stone inside.

"Come, I will take you part way back." I followed him and the white mountain lion through a labyrinth of passageways. The light surrounding them was the only light in the cave. He finally stopped and turned to me. His eyes were deep and full of wisdom as he reached out and touched the center of my forehead. I felt like he had opened a passageway into the world of spirit that I could go through whenever I needed to. I felt his great love for my people and me. A great sorrow came over me that he was leaving, sending me back to the world.

"I'm only a squaw. How can I give my people the courage they need?"

"Your people have brave warriors and elders with great wisdom. You'll help by keeping that courage and wisdom alive; you'll help them through the difficult times that are ahead."

"Please don't go."

"I'm always with you. Just look inwardly when you need me." He and the mountain lion began to walk away from me. The only light in the cave had been the light radiating out from them. As their forms slowly faded so did that light.

The darkness was absolute in their absence, and there was a complete void of sound. The inner humming was also gone. While with Oapiche, my body was not solid but was composed of vibrating light, now I was solid and felt trapped within in this dense, confining form.

Intense fear came over me. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to find my way out of the cave. My heart was heavy as I thought of the future of my people. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and put my attention on Oapiche. He was still there, guiding me, only I had to listen to him inwardly. I was ashamed of my fear. I had been given a great vision, yet as soon as it left me I was as frightened as a child seeing a kotea charging toward him.

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