Holy People – A term for religious leaders among many Native American nations, who may be comparable with shamans elsewhere. Medicine people is a similar term, emphasizing the healing abilities and sacred powers of these people. “Holy man” and “holy woman” are also used by John Pilch to refer to ancient Mediterranean and biblical healers and visionaries, such as Jesus Christ, whom he considers the equivalent of shamans.
See also Black Elk, Nicholas.
SOURCE:
Historical Dictionary of Shamanism by Graham Harvey and Robert J. Wallis 2007