In a pathbreaking paper Guy Prentice (1986) contended that the Birger Figurine represented “Mother Corn” or “Our Grandmother.” Diaz-Granados (1993:341, 343–345, 354; Diaz-Granados and Duncan 2000:217, 219–220, 236–237) argued for the “Old-Woman-Who-Never-Dies” as a Siouan deity. This particular divinity—called Earthmother here—can be identified among a broad range of tribes in the Northern Plains and Eastern Woodlands, including the Dhegiha Sioux.
