DCHP-3

peace pipe†

Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

an ornamented ceremonial pipe, used by certain Indian tribes as a symbol of peace and adopted by the white traders in their dealings with these Indians.

Quotations

1814
Therefore, my Red Children, let the war cry cease to be heard--let the Tomahawk be buried--and let us once more smoke the pipe of peace with him.
1845
We now traveled on, with much rapidity, the "pipe of peace," being constantly passed around, commencing with the chief, then to myself, Mr. Loveioy, and the principal men, who were permitted to ride side by side with us, and who, I suppose, were subordinate officers.
1865
"Well, this injun came to my house last spring, and sittin down on the flore, sed, Nee-che giv me sum tobbaccer." "Well, I giv nee chee some tibaccer and he fille his pees pipe and smoked it very peecably like."
1958
Twenty Indians gathered about a fire of sweet grass inside the teepee and following a prayer in Sioux, a peace pipe was passed.
1989
Mr. Mustus is one of the 300,000 Indians in Western Canada whose ancestors smoked peace pipes and then signed 10 numbered treaties with Queen Victoria's representatives. In return for a promise to stop fighting and surrender title to enormous tracts of land between the 49th and 60th parallels, "Her Most Gracious Majesty" and the Dominion of Canada agreed to "lay aside reserves" for Indians, "maintain schools for instruction in such reserves" and provide them with "a medicine chest."