Coup Points and Order of the White Buffalo/Golden Cub

The Y-Indian Tribal Coup System is designed to improve participation and fellowship in the Y-Indian tribes and Papoose Circles and generate sharing between tribes.

What Is "Coup"

This term is of deep-rooted Indian origin: Regardless of where or how an Indian brave accumulated feathers, he was not allowed according to tribal law, to wear them until he won them by a brave deed. He had to appear before the tribal council and tell or re-enact his exploit. Witnesses were examined and if in the eyes of the council the deed was thought to be worthy, the brave was then authorized to wear the feather(s) in his hair or war bonnet. These honors were called counting coup (pronounced 'coo'). Deeds of exceptional valor (such as to touch an enemy in battle without killing him and escape) were called grand coup and were rated more than one feather. An Indian would rather part with his horse, his tipi or his wife than to lose his feathers; for to do so would mean dishonor in the eyes of his tribe.

In our Y-Indian and Papoose programs coup is awarded in the form of "points". These points are usually earned by the tribe as a whole, but in some cases individual members may accrue points for their tribe. All coup is awarded to a tribe based on the submission of Tribe Council Reports.

Coup will be awarded for activities during the school year only (from school starting date to the first day of the Spring Camp).

A tribe cannot claim coup for the same function under two separate activities.

FOR ANY TRIBE TO RECEIVE "COUP", THE TRIBE TALLYKEEPER MUST SUBMIT AN ON-LINE TRIBE COUNCIL REPORT BY THE 15TH OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH (e.g.: April Coup points are due by May 15). Tribal Tallykeepers should go to http://www.ymcasmokesignal.com to enter their points.

The Sacred "Order of the White Buffalo/Golden Cub"

To encourage tribes to communicate, participate, get involved in the community, and active fun time in the Y-Indian and Papoose Programs, the Order of the White Buffalo/Golden Cub was established. And to be as fair to everyone as possible, requirements for the order were made non-competitive (betweeen tribes);  this makes it possible for EVERY tribe to be in the Order of the White Buffalo/Golden Cub.

To obtain membership in the sacred OWB/OGC, a tribe must meet or exceed the following requirements of outstanding participation in the Y-Indian and Papoose Programs.

1. Timely reported Coup points totaling at least 800 Coup Points
2. Tribe must participate at 75% of all Federation Events
3. Tribe must have 1 Dad at 75% of all Long houses.