Where it Grows: Sipatsimo enjoys coulees or low meadows.

How to Identify: Sipatsimo is a fragrant grass with long, flat leaves that can grow to be over half a meter long. At the base, the leaves are distinctively reddish. Their flowers are small and greenish and grow in cluster.

Harvesting: Sipatsimo is harvested in late summer.

Blackfoot: Sipatsimo

As a natural sachet or as incense, Sipatsimo was employed. By first drying the grass’ leaves, multiple strands were plaited to preserve them.

Sipatsimo can be used in crafts and to create frames.

Adornment Uses:

• To increase a persons appearance wisps of Sipatsimo were concealed in the hair. Women wore Sipatsimo fillets around their heads, and still weave ah-putu-yis, or “white grass” into the braids that adorn their hair. Bands for the elders’ headdresses used braided Sipatsimo.
• Sipatsimo was used as a perfume or to decorate clothing by being braided into it. Ochre and Sipatsimo were occasionally combined to maintain a lovely scent.
• To prepare a hair wash, leaves were soaked in water. The tea can be used as a hair tonic to give hair a shine and pleasant smell.

Medicinal Uses:

• Numerous medicines can be made from Sipatsimo. Tea can be consumed to treat coughs or sore throats and soothe sharp pains. Colds were treated by inhaling smoke made from burning Sipatsimo leaves.
• Using a Sipatsimo tea wash relieves windburn and chapped skin and will make you feel less sore. A wash of the tea can also soothe sore eyes.
• Horses were treated with Sipatsimo to keep them healthy and odour-free, and tea would be administered for saddle sores and to keep their coats shining. To improve endurance, horses were occasionally given Sipatsimo to eat.

Spiritual Uses:

• Sipatsimo is a sacred plant in Blackfoot culture, used for rituals, medicine, and prayer. You must respect Sipatsimo and exercise caution when handling, storing, and using it. It is exceedingly holy and possesses unique abilities.
• The leaves were often braided together after the stems were bound with additional leaves.
• The grass was burned on a small alter found in many lodges as part of the Sun Dance ceremony.
• Tobacco and Sipatsimo were combined for ceremonial smoking.
• The Sipatsimo can be kept on a unique alter.
• Sipatsimo can be burned as incense to open worship services and gatherings. A braid’s end can be lit, or sections can be broken off and placed on hot coals, then you can smudge yourself with the smoke.