Why were dreams important to Plenty Coups as he was growing up?

Native Americans believe that dreams had meanings. Before warriors went to hunt or battle, they went on vision quests where they would dream and learn from the things they saw in their dreams. Plenty Coups had many important dreams that shaped his life.
As a Crow Indian young man matured into adulthood, he was challenged to go on vision quests. That means he goes for four days and four nights into a very difficult environment, ideally a mountain top. He has on very little clothing. He is entirely offering himself to the elements in the hopes of receiving a vision or a dream. This dream is divine guidance or knowledge that he will need to assist him in his lifetime or that his tribe will need to know.

The Native American belief was very strong that dreams had meaning. They were encouraged to dream. Adults, including women, went on vision quests, just as young men did. Plenty Coups had very significant visions. Some took place in the Crazy Mountains by Big Timber, Montana. Some took place in the Highwood Mountains near Great Falls, Montana. Some took place in the Pryor Mountains and specifically at the Castle Rocks which are the three rocky buttes directly to the south of the community of Pryor. From: Chief Plenty Coups State Park Museum Tour Content