However absurd may be the religion of the Dahcotahs, they are zealous in their devotion to it.

Nothing is allowed to interfere with it.

Are their women planting corn, which is to be in a great measure depended upon for food during the next winter?
whatever be the consequences, they stop to celebrate a dance or a feast, either of which is a part of their religion.

How many Christians satisfy their consciences by devoting one day of the week to God, feeling themselves thus justified in devoting the other six entirely to the world! But it is altogether different with the Dahcotahs, every act of their life is influenced by their religion, such as it is.
They believe they are a great people, that their country is unrivalled in beauty, their religion without fault.

Many of the Dahcotahs, now living near Fort Snelling, say that they have lived on the earth before in some region far distant, that they died, and for a time their spirits wandered through the world seeking the most beautiful and delightful country to live in, and that after examining all parts of, the earth they fixed upon the country of the Dahcotahs.
In fact, dreams, spells and superstitious fears, constitute a large part of the belief of the Dahcotahs.