Among the Blackfeet people, the shield was considered a medicine object and was treated as a bundle. If the shield was to be transferred, it had to be exchanged in a formal ritual. Special songs were sung and four drums used.

The recipient of the shield was painted with yellow ground over the face and hands. The face was then streaked by drawing the fingertips downward and a red band was painted across the mouth and eyes. The seller passed the shield through the fire's smoke four times then warded off imaginary attacks with it.

At the end of the ceremony, the recipient paid the former owner of the shield one horse.