by Franks Busch
Painted Turtle Man assisted White Willow Woman, but mostly in an effort to recover as much of the greasy liquid as he could.
“Moosum!” said Little Grey Bear Boy.
“You have to stay out of my medicines, my boy,” said Painted Turtle Man. “When you get bigger I will begin teaching you about these things.”
“I was hoping for a good sleep,” said White Willow Woman with a yawn.
“We might as well get the fire going,” said Painted Turtle Man, “it will not be easy to get this medicine off of him.”
“I’ll take care of it,” said Blue Elk Man. “He’s my son after all. I’m very sorry that he disturbed your medicines.”
“He’s just curious,” said Painted Turtle Man. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
////
It was springtime and the Bear clan was gathered in their lodge enjoying their evening meal.
“You should have told me you were going fishing,” said Blue Elk Man. “I would have come with you. It must have been difficult with the water still so cold.”
“I didn’t know I would be fishing,” chuckled Brown Shield Man. “You have your son to thank for the fish.”
“My son?”
“Tapwe?”
“What happened now?”
“I was trying to bathe him in the river,” explained White Willow Woman. “He didn’t want to bathe and as soon as his foot touched the water he used his magic to blast the water away.”
“The entire river?”
“Motch, just the water within a tree length of him.”
“It was something to see,” added Brown Shield Man. “The fish were surprised and flopped around on the bottom. I ran in and grabbed them where they fell.”
“The other women were not very happy,” said Singing Doe, sitting Flying Rabbit Boy in her lap. “They think he is a danger to the other children.”
“He isn’t dangerous,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He has provided us with a fine meal this evening. The others just don’t understand that his gifts are a blessing.”
“Of course you always say that,” said Walking Moon Woman. “What if someone was hurt? What then?”
“No one got hurt.”
“Not this time, but what about the next.”
“We cannot live our lives fearing what might happen. We must look to the future.”
“What do you mean, Uncle?” asked Singing Doe. “Have you seen something?”
Painted Turtle Man finished his meal and wiped his bowl. The others kept their eyes on him in silence. When he was sure that he had everyone’s attention he cleared his throat.
“I have had a dream.”
“What happened?” asked Singing Doe.
“I saw a woman.”
“What kind of woman?” asked White Willow Woman.
“A young woman,” he explained. “Beautiful as her mother. She stood in front of the Bear Lodge wearing the black and red shawl of the Bear clan. All around her there were children. Many children. There must have been a dozen or more of them, all wearing the colours of the Bear.”
“How can this be?” interrupted Walking Moon Woman. “How can a young woman have so many children?”
“What does it mean, Uncle?” asked Brown Shield Man.
“I have offered prayers and smoked the pipe,” answered Painted Turtle Man. “I believe that White Willow Woman will give birth to a girl who will be the heir to the Bear Clan. She will be the mother of many children and the Grandmother Bear’s teachings will be known throughout the lands of the Nehiyawak.”
Everyone looked at White Willow Woman. She looked down at Little Grey Bear Boy who had fallen asleep in her lap.
“I have something to share,” she said with a tear. “My moon time has not come. I think I am with child again.”
“Tapwe?” asked Blue Elk Man.
“Love us, Loving Spirit!” exclaimed Walking Moon Woman. “This is a glorious day!”
////
The land began to change and the first hint of Old Man Winter was in the air at Nisichawayasihk. The men were back from the hunt and the women were busy drying meat and pounding pemmican for the hard months ahead. The labours of the Bear Clan were interrupted by the sudden disappearance of Little Grey Bear Boy.
“Where did you last see him?” yelled White Willow Woman, searching as frantically as her swollen belly would allow her.
“He was right here,” explained Brown Shield Man as he searched the lodge.
“Did he get out somehow?” asked Blue Elk Man joining the search.
“What has happened?” yelled Walking Moon Woman.
“We can’t find Little Grey Bear Boy.”
“Where did you last see him?”
“I was just playing with him,” explained Brown Shield Man. “He would hide under a buffalo robe and I would pretend to search for him. He was laughing and playing and then he just disappeared.”
“Spread out,” ordered Walking Moon Woman. “Ask the Wolf warriors if they have seen him.”
Blue Elk Man and Brown Shield Man left the lodge and started hollering. Soon the neighbouring lodges were out searching for the missing child. Before long, all of Nisichawayasihk was in an uproar.
“What is going on?” asked Painted Turtle Man as he entered the Bear lodge.
“My son is missing!” cried White Willow Woman.
“He is near,” said Painted Turtle Man. “Can’t you feel it?”
The family had become so accustomed to the vibration of the Grey-Eye magic that they were beginning to forget when it was present.
“It’s time to come out now, my boy!” called Painted Turtle Man.
“Musoom!” yelled Little Grey Bear Boy as he suddenly appeared.
“Where was he?” said White Willow Woman, grabbing the child.
“He was invisible.”
“They can do that?”
“Tapwe,” said Painted Turtle Man. “Grey Bear used to do it when he was hunting or scouting. I didn’t think Little Grey Bear Boy would learn this so soon.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“I’m sorry, my girl. It was a very long time ago, I can’t always remember everything.”
“We found him!” yelled Walking Moon Woman. The call was repeated throughout the village. Two Wolf warriors entered the lodge.
“The child is safe?” asked the elder of the two warriors.
“Tapwe,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He was just invisible. We are sorry to have caused such a disturbance.”
“He was here all along?” asked the younger warrior in disbelief.
“You don’t know what it is like to have a Grey-Eyed child!” shouted White Willow Woman.
“We meant no offense,” said the elder warrior. “We are just glad the child is safe now, we will go.”
“Thank you my brothers,” said Painted Turtle Man as they left. “Don’t be upset, my girl. No one thinks less of you. We are all still learning.”
////
Winter came upon Nisichawayasihk and Grandfather Sun was spending less and less time in the sky. Flying Rabbit Boy crawled about the Bear Lodge exploring his surroundings when he came across the Turtle Shell Rattle given to Little Grey Bear Boy by the Turtle Clan on the day he was born.
“MOTCH!” screamed Little Grey Bear Boy. “MINE!”
As he yelled, Flying Rabbit Boy was sent flying through the air by a blast of energy produced by his angry cousin. Painted Turtle Man happened to be in the right place to catch Flying Rabbit Boy before he was hurt.
“You must be careful not to hurt your cousin!” said Painted Turtle Man with a stern look.
“Sorry, Moosum,” was Little Grey Bear Boy’s answer.
“Give him to me” shouted Singing Doe, taking her baby. “You need to control him!”
“Oh!” gasped White Willow Woman. Singing Doe gathered some hides and bundled up her infant son.
“Where are you going?” asked Walking Moon Woman.
“To the Wolf lodge!” answered Singing Doe as she stormed out of the Bear lodge.
“Oh!” White Willow Woman said holding her swollen belly.
“What is it, my girl?”
“I think it’s time!” she answered.
“It’s time?”
“Tapwe!”
“Right now?”
White Willow Woman’s water broke alleviating all doubt.
“Can you take Little Grey Bear Boy to the Eagle lodge?” shouted Walking Moon Woman. “I’m sure Soaring Star Woman will understand.”
“Come with Moosum, little one,” said Painted Turtle Man as he took the boy’s hand.
“What’s wrong with mommy?” the boy asked.
“Nothing is wrong, she is going to give you a sister!”
////
A new day dawned and the Bear clan finally had an heir. Painted Turtle Man brought Little Grey Bear Boy back to the lodge to meet his new sister.
“My sister?” asked Little Grey Bear Boy, admiring the little bundle.
“Yes, my boy,” answered White Willow Woman, “she is very important to our Clan. You must be very careful not to hurt her…”
“Tapwe…” answered the little boy in awe.
“You are a big brother now,” added Painted Turtle Man. “It is now your job to keep her safe.”
“I wonder what her name will be,” said White Willow Woman.
“We may have to wait a while to find out,” said Walking Moon Woman. “The snow is very deep, it will be difficult to have a naming.”
“I can wait,” said White Willow Woman.
“I don’t think there is any need to wait,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I already have a good idea of what her name is.”
“Tapwe?”
“Yes. When I dreamed about her the first time, I saw a hawk soaring out from the sun.”
“And what name would you interpret from this?” asked Walking Moon Woman.
“I believe Yellow Hawk Girl would be appropriate, but I could smoke my pipe to be sure.”
“Yellow Hawk Girl,” said White Willow Woman. “I like it, it suits her.”
“Then Yellow Hawk Girl it will be,” confirmed Walking Moon Woman.
“So be it,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I will let the others know.”
////
The presence of his new little sister seemed to have a profound calming effect on Little Grey Bear Boy. He wanted to be near her at all times and became very helpful to his mother. The Grey-Eye magic seemed to subside and Soaring Star Woman was required to assist less and less often, a blessing to the aging clan mother.
As Little Grey Bear Boy approached his fourth summer he became more and more self-aware. His accidental use of the Grey-Eye magic occurred less frequently and the Bear lodge became peaceful again and harmony was enjoyed throughout Nisichiwayasihk. Having an heir to the Bear clan was a great relief to the whole family.
“Should we try for another girl?” asked Brown Shield Man one evening.
“Motch,” replied Singing Doe. “The three of us talked about it and decided we need to be careful of having more children than we can feed. We are going to put our faith in Painted Turtle Man’s vision and prepare the way for Yellow Hawk Girl.”
“Are you sure, my love?” he stroked her arm as he spoke.
“Yes, I’m sure,” she smiled. “If the hunting isn’t good, we could have difficulty, especially if we had more boys before being chosen by another girl.”
“Well it takes the pressure off of Blue Elk Man and me to find game.”
“Tapwe, it also means you can spend more time with Flying Rabbit Boy and me.”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
14
mitātaht niyosāp
“Again, Uncle, again!” squealed Little Grey Bear Boy as Brown Shield Man tossed him up into the air and caught him easily.
“You are getting them too excited before bedtime,” scolded Singing Doe through a smile.
“It’s my turn, Dada!” said Flying Rabbit Boy.
“Okay, just one more turn for each of you,” laughed Brown Shield Man.
The children cheered and pushed each other playfully.
“Eh, he-hem.” The sound of someone clearing his throat came from outside the Bear lodge.
Blue Elk Man went to the door flaps to welcome the visitor. Brown Shield Man continued throwing the children into the air in turn, while Singing Doe worked on a pair of moccasins, a commission for the Deer clan. Dried meat and fish hung from thin logs tied across the lodge poles and stretched hides dried near the fire. Bags of wild rice, dried berries, and cooking herbs hung in sacks around the edges of the lodge.
“Painted Turtle Man needs Little Grey Bear Boy to help with the storytelling,” said Soaring Spear Man at the door.
With the birth of Yellow Hawk Girl, the Bear lodge had become crowded, so Painted Turtle Man had erected his own lodge, Bear medicine lodge. There, he shared the teachings and provided the people of Nisichawayasihk with the guidance, prayers, and healing medicine they sought.
“Yaay! Storytime!” yelled Flying Rabbit Boy as his father set him down. Little Grey Bear Boy took Yellow Hawk Girl by the hand and the children ran out and into the lodge next door.
In the Bear medicine lodge, Painted Turtle Man’s young disciples tried—mostly in vain—to get the children seated and settled. Though young and full of wild energy, the children understood the importance of not disturbing the roots and dried herbs that hung from the poles of the lodge.
Painted Turtle Man was seated at the opposite end of the lodge, explaining the nine circles of law to a group of eager young listeners. He concluded his lecture when Little Grey Bear Boy entered. “Over here, my boy!” he called.
Little Grey Bear Boy walked in an arc along the outer edge until he reached his adopted grandfather. He took a seat, followed by his cousins.
“Drum!” said Painted Turtle Man.
The large fire in the centre cast a soft light on the faces of the gathered children. Soaring Spear Man held up a large elk-hide hand drum and boomed it four times. A few more children scurried into the lodge and took their seats. Outside, Grandfather Sun was setting. Darkness slowly settled over the village and the sound of many voices quieted to none.
Painted Turtle Man took Little Grey Bear Boy’s hand and approached the fire. Whispering a soft prayer, the medicine carrier sprinkled medicine herbs on the fire, making it burn with blue smoke. The air began to vibrate with an ancient power and the flames of the centre fire burned low and blue. The smoke above the fire began to form shapes of animals. Rabbits and foxes, deer and raccoon appeared to be chatting and laughing together in a great forest. The figure of a sullen man entered from the south as the storytelling began.
15
mitātaht niyānosāp
In the time before our ancestors, the world was a very different place. All the animals of the forest lived together in harmony. Wolves, bears, and coyotes did not eat the deer, mice, and rabbits and all the animals played together.
The only man at the time was called Wisageechak, the Trickster. Wisageechak thought the harmony of the creatures boring, so he caused trouble for entertainment. He would convince the animals to fight by telling them that another was saying bad things about them to the rest. The bear fought the wolf, the fox fought the marten, and even the birds in the sky would fight one another while Wisageechak laughed.
Blood started to cover the ground and the earth became dirty from the animals fighting. Kitchi Manitou, the Creator, did not like the blood all over Mother Earth and began to form the clouds in the sky. The clouds floated high above the earth and C
reator breathed life into the first Thunderbird who flew high above them, its wings flapping thunder. Every now and then the Thunderbird’s feathers would fall to the ground as lightning.
The clouds poured the first rains to cover the earth, washing away the blood. The rivers and lakes rose and soon the whole of Mother Earth was submerged. Wisageechak was about to drown when a large turtle swam by.
“My brother, let me climb on your back so I do not drown,” pleaded Wisageechak.
“I should let you drown! It’s your fault I have nowhere to climb up and warm myself by Grandfather Sun,” answered the great turtle.
Wisageechak knew this was true and that he would have to use his magic to fix the problem. His magic was strong, but he did not have the ability to recreate the earth, only Creator had this power. He was soon joined by three animals also seeking refuge from the waters: a beaver, an otter, and a little muskrat. Wisageechak and the three animals huddled on Turtle’s back.
“If one of you could dive into the water and find me a piece of the old earth, I could remake the world with it,” Wisageechak told them. “Brother Beaver, you are the biggest and strongest of the three swimmers. Dive down and get me a piece of the old earth and I will form a large pond for you to build your home and find a wife.”
“Tapwe!” exclaimed Beaver.
Beaver dove down into the water but came up some time later empty handed. He tried diving even deeper but again came up without a piece of the old earth. He tried a third time, and when he came up empty again he was completely exhausted and could not go back down.
“Brother Otter, you are much faster than fat old Beaver. If you can get me a piece of the old earth, I will build you a wide, slow river for you to float on eating tasty clams and shells,” offered Wisageechak.
“Tapwe!” answered Otter.
Otter dove down into the deep waters, staying down longer than Beaver had. He came up without a piece of the old earth, gasping for air. Wisageechak convinced him to try again, and again he came up empty handed. He went a third time and came up gasping and coughing, still without a piece of the old earth.
“Lazy Otter, now we will all surely drown,” lamented Wisageechak.
