What was the shaman and what did he do?

Answer 1

The shaman or medicine man of American Indian culture was the healer, spiritually and most often herbally. He was also the keeper of the integrity of ceremonies, for the most part, and the tribes connection to the spirit world.

Answer 2

The shaman was the medicine man of the tribe. They were mostly responsible for healing people and possibly being the chief's informant.

Edit: Until the last few decades, the term 'shaman' was not used in American Indian culture. They were referred to as medicine people., both men and sometimes women. They are healers of the body and spirit through herbal medicines, ceremonies and prayers. They are keepers of the medicinal and ceremonial healing knowledge of the tribe, as well as their spiritual beliefs.