An Interpretation:
- for Burnt Face's spiritual and social void is filled - "Acquisition of Spiritual Power and Knowledge," results from his sacrifices, his "gift giving"
- for Burnt Face there is an "Affirmation and Rebirth into society," acknowledgement of his socially and spiritually changed status. Illustrates the importance of sharing what one has gone through and with the help of others, able to overcome, importance of baaeechichiwaau - "retelling one's own."
- for Burnt Face there is an "Affirmation and Rebirth into society," and a archetypical model is offered for all to emulate in order for others to overcome their "Orphaned Status." The Burnt Face story is representative of the stages of any rite of passage, in this oral tradition form paralleling the behavioral stages of the vision quest and Sundance ceremonies, for example.
- the manner in which Burnt Face sought to overcome his disfigurement, i.e., fasting in the mountains, is only one of many ways (spokes) to reach the divine that is shared in all religions (the hub), part of a world view.
premise: "getting down to the bones", the underlying principles, including ashammaléaxia (monism) and baaxpée (spiritual animation), as well as mi'yep, underlying teaching of an "ethic of sharing"
at a macro level, the story of Burnt Face is a metaphor for an entire people, struggling to maintain their identity and integrity in the face of overwhelming odds - Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Blackfeet, Sioux, then Missionaries and Reservation Treaties, then alcoholism, drugs and poverty. Its a story of hope and will triumphing over adversity.