Bryan Deel Outside Reading: The Vision Quest of the Plains Indians

The vision quest is seen in the Native American community as a rite of passage or initiation. It is a pivotal point in one’s life that is taken before adulthood to truly find one’s spirituality. “The one who would seek a vision should strip off his outer clothing, retaining only a robe, breechclout, and moccasins” (Dugan 14). Plains Indians believed that removing their clothing during the vision quest would bring them closer to nature. After finding a secluded area in the wilderness and clearing away all plants and animals, the child would sit and lay down until he obtains a vision or realizes that he will have none. Throughout the vision quest, the child would continuously meditate. The child would attempt to perceive the guardian animal that is intended as a compass to the child’s life. When the vision quest is over, the adult apprentice may help the child transition to their future duty to the tribe such as medicine man, chief; etc.