by Franks Busch
“Do not fear!” yelled Painted Turtle Man as the participants began to panic. “You are safe within the womb of our Mother Earth!”
Out of the cries of the newborn emerged a small grey bear cub which roared and scratched at the ground in mock combat. The Red-Eyed warrior recoiled. The grey bear cub rolled around, continuing to roar and paw, standing on its hind legs. It glowed with a grey light and a magical energy and the Red-Eyed warrior began to shrink, screaming and cursing. When the warrior had diminished and faded, the grey bear cub stood triumphant in the centre of the lodge, roaring and pawing the air. The participants cheered.
“Little Grey Bear Boy of the Bear clan!” Painted Turtle Man shouted.
The people cheered, whooping and howling their approval.
“Singers!” said Painted Turtle. “Sing the Creator song!”
The deep boom of the drum answered him as they took up the song honouring Kitchi Manitou. The participants had accomplished what they came to do and had suffered. Now, it was time to receive gifts and feast.
11
mitātaht piyakosāp
“Has anyone seen my knife?” Blue Elk Man had been searching the Bear lodge for his prized hunting knife all morning. If he found it soon, he might still make it to his preferred campsite before nightfall.
“When did you use it last?” asked White Willow Woman, bouncing Little Grey Bear Boy on her lap. A brisk chill this morning would take care of the mosquitos but would send the ducks and geese away as well. The sour red berries had appeared in the moss, providing Mother Earth’s last gift before she began her long slumber. Now would be a good time for her husband to find a moose.
“I have a knife you could take,” offered Brown Shield Man. He was ready to leave, though not as anxious as his brother-in-law.
“Do you need a meal before you go?” asked Singing Doe to her husband.
“Awas!” said Walking Moon Woman. “You are always feeding him. It’s a wonder we have any food left.” As she spoke, Blue Elk Man’s knife floated out from under the hides carpeting the floor of the lodge where he and his wife slept. The now familiar vibration of the Grey-Eye magic was in the air.
“That’s daddy’s boy!” said Blue Elk Man as he snatched the floating knife and went over to kiss his son.
“How did he know what you were thinking?” wondered White Willow Woman aloud.
“It isn’t just him,” Painted Turtle Man chimed in from his spot to the right of the doorway, where he was grinding herbs. “His gift is meant to be shared. Those around him also have some influence.”
“What do you mean?” Singing Doe asked as she bent over to scoop some rice out of the bag. Before Painted Turtle Man could answer, Singing Doe flew through the air into the arms of her husband. The others laughed while Brown Shield Man blushed. It was not the first time this had happened.
“You’ve gone and spilled the rice with your fooling around!” shouted Walking Moon Woman. “Can’t you keep your thoughts to yourself?”
“Tapwe!” laughed White Willow Woman.
“Don’t tease,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He loves his wife and that is nothing to be ashamed of.” The others tried to stifle their laughter.
“Well if he loves his wife so much, maybe she should go with him,” said Walking Moon Woman.
Singing Doe locked eyes with her husband and smiled.
“I’m not sure how much hunting would get done…” White Willow Woman teased as Little Grey Bear Boy pulled at her to loosen her dress straps so he could nurse.
“Anything would be better than having you two spilling my rice and eating all the food,” said Walking Moon Woman. “This lodge was feeling crowded anyway. Go.”
Singing Doe jumped up, kissed her husband, and began gathering some belongings.
“Have a good hunt,” said Painted Turtle Man as the young couple ran out soon after.
“Why did you do that?” asked White Willow Woman to her mother.
“Why not?” she replied. “They need some time alone and our clan still needs a girl.”
“Maybe I should go with my husband then,” suggested White Willow Woman, pinching Blue Elk Man playfully.
“Awas!” said Walking Moon Woman. “I want my baby grandson near me.”
“Then I better get going,” said Blue Elk Man, eager to leave before Walking Moon Woman’s teasing turned on him. He gave his son another kiss and nodded at Painted Turtle Man as he left.
“Hunt well, nephew,” said the old man.
////
The winter months were much easier to bear this year than those recently past. Blue Elk Man took a bull moose, one of the largest that had ever given itself to him. Brown Shield Man and Singing Doe had not had any such luck on their hunt, though the trip turned out not to be a total loss: Singing Doe was pregnant. The Bear Clan was starting to grow and the addition of children inspired the family to do better and try harder in all of their endeavours. The hunting was usually good and Singing Doe’s sewing and quillwork were attracting attention in the village.
“I really hope this one’s a girl,” said Singing Doe, examining her growing belly.
“I’ll be happy with any child who chooses us,” said Brown Shield Man.
“I’ll pray for you at the ceremony tonight,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I may not be back for some time. I’ll try not to wake him when I return.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” said White Willow Woman, pacing the lodge with Little Grey Bear Boy in her arms. “Baby won’t let me leave and I really need to pee! I can’t wait any longer.”
“I feel sorry for you my girl,” laughed Painted Turtle Man. “I’m afraid no one remembers what it was like to have a Grey-Eyed baby.”
“That’s not entirely true,” said Walking Moon Woman. Painted Turtle Man frowned and began to gather his things to leave.
“What do you mean?” asked White Willow Woman, still pacing the lodge with her too-big-to-carry boy. Painted Turtle Man cleared his throat and gave Walking Moon Woman a quick scowl as he left.
“I wish I could help,” said Blue Elk Man.
“Yeah, me too,” chuckled Brown Shield Man.
“Don’t you two have some work to do?” shouted Walking Moon Woman. “You men get out of here. Soaring Star Woman is coming to visit.”
“I am going to go too,” said Singing Doe, grabbing a pair of mukluks she had made as she left with the men.
“What did you mean, mother?” pressed White Willow Woman.
“Never mind,” answered Walking Moon Woman. “Soaring Star will be here any moment.”
“I hope she hurries,” exclaimed White Willow Woman, now bouncing from foot to foot to the great amusement of Little Grey Bear Boy.
“Tansi?” came a familiar voice from outside. Walking Moon Woman met the Eagle matriarch at the doorway and welcomed her in. White Willow Woman could wait no longer: she ran up to Soaring Star Woman and quickly handed her the child.
“Tansi, Nookum,” she almost yelled. “May the Grandmother Bear bless you with her healing gifts!” The young mother ran off to answer the call of nature. Little Grey Bear Boy was about to start crying when his grey eyes met those of the Eagle matriarch. The air vibrated as the old woman’s magic filled the lodge, calming him.
“Tansi, baby,” she said as she lowered him to his feet and helped him toddle back into the lodge. “May the Grandmother Eagle bless this lodge with her far-seeing eye.”
“I am very sorry for my daughter’s rude behaviour,” said Walking Moon Woman. “She hasn’t been able to be without the boy.”
“I understand,” laughed Soaring Star Woman. “I couldn’t go very far either. When I really had to, I would use the magic to make him sleep for a moment so I could at least get out to take care of those matters. I can see where this is more of a challenge for her.”
“We are all very
grateful for your visits.”
“I will try to come more often.” Soaring Star Woman raised her hand and the turtle shell rattle rose up in the air, travelled across the lodge, and set down into her palm. She gave it to Little Grey Bear Boy.
“Many in Nisichawayasihk need your attention, clan mother. We do not wish to be a burden.”
“I am glad you understand,” said Soaring Star Woman. “It so happens I need your help with a rather delicate matter.”
“Oh?”
“One of my granddaughters is having something of a dispute with a woman from another clan. I think it would be inappropriate for me to interfere in the matter, but she won’t give me a moment’s peace until it is settled. I told her I would bring it to you, as matriarch of the Bear clan, to resolve the matter.”
“I see…” said Walking Moon Woman. Arbitrating a dispute between two willing parties was one matter. Resolving a disagreement involving the Eagle twins was something else entirely.
“You have concerns?” asked Soaring Star Woman.
“Well…” she paused.
“I know my granddaughters can be difficult and I know I am asking a lot. However, I have made it very clear to them that this is a matter for the Bear clan.”
“I will do what you ask,” said Walking Moon Woman. “It has been quite some time since anyone has asked for our help in this way. I sometimes worry we no longer have the respect of the people.”
“Things change, my girl. Your grandson’s arrival has made many people rethink their opinions. It’s true you are the smallest clan in Nisichawayasihk and you do not have any girls, but that does not diminish your clan’s task.”
“Tapwe, my mother.”
“My granddaughters will come visit you. Show them the Bear clan’s healing ways. Do not give them any special treatment or allow them to intimidate you in any way.”
“Tapwe,” nodded Walking Moon Woman. With all the help the Eagle matriarch had given the Bear clan since the birth of Little Grey Bear Boy, it was impossible to refuse her any request.
////
“Willow, he’s doing it again!” yelled Brown Shield Man. Whenever Little Grey Bear Boy noticed the fire, he would make it come alive. Dancing ropes of flame swirled around the Bear lodge.
“Where is his rattle?” called White Willow Woman.
“My mint tea!” laughed Painted Turtle Man, as he jumped up to snuff the flames on a bundle of dried tea leaves hanging from the lodge poles. “We will need to search out larger rocks for the fire pit as soon as the snows melt.”
“Tapwe!” agreed Blue Elk Man and Brown Shield Man together.
“When is Soaring Star Woman coming to visit?” asked Blue Elk Man. Only the Grey-Eyed matriarch seemed to be able to contain the child’s magic.
“Not tonight,” answered Walking Moon Woman. “I thought he would be tired from attending the ceremony today. What was it about this time?”
“It was an induction ceremony for a young warrior of the Deer clan,” said Painted Turtle Man.
“Why did they want a baby at an induction ceremony?” asked Singing Doe.
“It seems no one can do anything these days without our baby being there,” grumbled Blue Elk Man.
“You didn’t seem to mind when the Marten clan gave you new snowshoes for attending their memorial,” laughed Brown Shield Man.
“That was different,” said Blue Elk Man. “I am Marten, I would have attended anyway. Besides, everyone knows the Marten clan is generous.” The others laughed.
“The Deer clan was generous today as well husband,” said White Willow Woman. “They gave us six arrows and a bag of pemmican.”
“I could use some new arrows…” said Brown Shield Man, raising an eyebrow to Blue Elk Man.
“It seems our Grey-Eye is already a good provider,” beamed Painted Turtle Man.
“Tapwe!” smiled Walking Moon Woman. “You have also done well, cousin. A new buffalo robe?”
“I could use some new arrows…” repeated Brown Shield Man. Blue Elk Man examined the wrappings on his hunting knife. They were, after all, finely crafted arrows.
“Oh, one of the Wolf warriors gave it to me,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He passed tobacco for a dreaming. I dreamt he went south with the others. I explained the dream to his matriarch and she let him go. He had never been so far from the village, being a Wolf and all. A young buffalo gave itself up to him on the hunt and he was so happy he gave me the robe.”
“That was very kind of him,” said Walking Moon Woman. She smiled at her cousin and continued to stare a while. In the new robe and with his hair plaited in a single braid, Painted Turtle Man looked younger than he had in a long while.
“So what was it that Soaring Star Woman asked of you?” asked Singing Doe.
“She wants us to settle a dispute,” answered Walking Moon Woman.
“Us?”
“Tapwe, my girl.”
“Who do you mean?”
“Willow will take baby over to the Crane lodge and you will stay and help me,” explained Walking Moon Woman.
“Who exactly is having this ‘dispute,’ mother?”
“We should probably get going,” said White Willow Woman. “Are you going somewhere, Uncle?”
“Tapwe,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I am giving a teaching for the young warriors tonight. I won’t be back until very late.”
“I am going to help him,” added Brown Shield Man, kissing his wife’s swollen belly as he got up.
Singing Doe was losing her patience. “Mother?”
“My girl,” began Walking Moon Woman. “It doesn’t matter what our personal feelings are towards someone who needs our help. It is our clan’s duty to be impartial when administering the Bear’s justice.”
“Motch!” exclaimed Singing Doe getting to her feet. “You are bringing them here?”
“Don’t get upset, my girl. Think about your baby. You must be nice to them.”
“And who are they picking on this time?”
“My girl,” said Walking Moon Woman, raising her voice. “That does not sound impartial. We will learn the details when they all arrive tonight. I need you to help with the ceremony and the food. You don’t have to do anything else or talk to anyone.”
“You could have told me.” Singing Doe was not feeling inclined to hide her true feelings, yet she knew duty to her clan must come first.
“I know, my girl. I know.”
12
mitātaht nīsosāp
“Tansi? Come in, come in,” smiled Singing Doe as she welcomed Red Dragonfly Woman of the Wolf clan and her young daughter into the Bear lodge. “Would you like some tea?”
“I’m sorry this visit could not be under better circumstances,” answered Red Dragonfly Woman. “The sooner this is all resolved the better. You know what they are like…”
“May the Grandmother Bear bless you with her healing,” interrupted Walking Moon Woman.
“May the Grandmother Wolf protect you and your family,” answered Red Dragonfly Woman. “I am sorry you have been inconvenienced by this matter. I am sure you would rather be with your grandson than have to listen to this…”
“Ahem!” came a voice from outside.
“May the Grandmother Bear bless you with her healing,” said Singing Doe as the women entered.
“May the Grandmother Eagle bless you with her far-seeing eye,” the elder Eagle Twin answered curtly. It was unclear who she was talking to as she locked eyes with Red Dragonfly Woman.
“Can we get this over with? My sister and I are very busy,” added the younger Eagle Twin.
“Please come in,” answered Walking Moon Woman politely. “Doe, did you offer our guests some tea?”
“Motch,” answered the elder Eagle twin. “My grandmother asked us to come to you and so we came.” She looked about th
e Bear lodge as she spoke, taking note first of the new hides covering the lodge, then of the bundles of roots and dried plants hanging from the poles.
“You just couldn’t wait to mention your grandmother,” snapped Red Dragonfly Woman. “Well, she isn’t here to wipe your little noses, is she?”
“Excuse me?” the younger Eagle twin shot back.
“Daughters!” said Walking Moon Woman. “Please, sit down. You will both be given plenty of time to speak. I have been passed tobacco to help restore your harmony. You will both respect the tobacco and this lodge. The Grandmother Bear will be invited to hear you and she will decide what is to be done.”
“Tapwe, Auntie,” said Red Dragonfly Woman. “I will respect the Bear clan justice.”
The Eagle twins crossed their arms and exchanged a look. The elder Eagle twin said nothing but nodded at Walking Moon Woman.
“I will light the sage and invite the Grandmother Bear to come witness our circle,” began Walking Moon Woman. “I will ask Singing Doe to sing the Bear song and then we will begin.”
The abalone shell with the smouldering sage was first offered to Singing Doe, who wafted the smoke over her body and through her hair. She set the shell down in front of her and waved her hand drum and drum stick through the smoke as well. When she was finished, she passed the smoking shell to Red Dragonfly Woman on her right. Singing Doe began the Bear song as the shell was passed around and the others anointed themselves with the smoke. When the shell came to Walking Moon Woman, she set it in front of herself and let the smoke continue to float up and around the Bear lodge until Singing Doe concluded the song.
“I have been passed tobacco,” began Walking Moon Woman as she brought out her brightly coloured talking stick, “to ask our Grandmother Bear to share her wisdom with us. Our harmony has been disrupted and two daughters of Nisichawayasihk who should be as sisters have been hurt by hard feelings and harsh words.”
The two women looked up at one another and shared a frown.
