"I went to that first sweat just because I wanted to know what the hell was going on in there," George admits. But, soon after the lodge door closed and water was ladled on to the hot rocks, he regretted his curiosity. "I saw the women come in, and I started to think about them ... I was still young then, you know. I came into that sweat without a purpose - with a negative one, anyway - and I burned."

The Sweat
Series Coordinator - Dr. Earle Waugh
© 1980 Access

 

After four rounds, the pipe-holder leading the ceremony informed George sweatlodges were for praying and nothing else. As long as he continued to come in for other reasons, he would burn.