by Franks Busch
“We ask in a humble way,” continued Walking Moon Woman, “that you hear us, Grandmother Bear, and show us your healing power.”
Silence filled the Bear lodge until someone coughed.
“White Star Woman of the Eagle clan, have you claimed offense to something Red Dragonfly Woman of the Wolf clan has said or done?”
“Tapwe,” answered the elder Eagle twin.
“And Red Dragonfly Woman, do you acknowledge giving offence to your sister?”
“Motch,” she answered. “I have given no offense.” The younger Eagle twin scoffed but was frowned at by Walking Moon Woman.
“I will ask White Star Woman to tell Grandmother Bear what has happened. Everyone gathered will have a chance to speak, so I ask that no one interrupt when another is talking. Speak from your heart and share only what you yourself have said and done.” Walking Moon Woman passed the talking stick to the elder Eagle twin.
“Tansi, Grandmother Bear,” she began, speaking to the fire. “I am White Star Woman of the Eagle clan. I am seeking your guidance in correcting an injustice. I am the mother of Laughing Cloud Boy, who has only been upon Mother Earth for six summers.” She swallowed hard and a single tear fell down her cheek.
“My son admires his father as all boys do. He says often he wishes to be just like him when he walks the warrior’s path. I wish I could keep him a child forever, but I know this is not the way of the Nehiyawak. As a mother, I only wish to see him happy and so I planned to give him a present. I wished to give him a bow exactly like his father’s. I knew this would make him very happy.”
The younger Eagle twin let out a sympathetic sigh.
“I had been told,” the elder Eagle twin gulped, as she continued, “that Red Dragonfly Woman’s husband made my husband’s bow and that he was considered one of the best bow makers in Nisichawayasihk. I approached Red Dragonfly Woman and asked her if she would have her husband make my son a bow to match his father’s. She told me that to do so would take a lot of her husband’s time and that he would not be able to hunt for many days. I agreed to give her four bags of pemmican as compensation.”
“My sister and I pounded the pemmican for two days. We filled four bags and when Red Dragonfly Woman came, we traded as agreed. All seemed to be well except that when I gave the bow to my son, he could not pull it because it was strung too tight. It made me very angry to watch my son so embarrassed and he was sad when his father laughed at his efforts. I turned my anger on my husband and sent him away for a few days. When I tried to get Red Dragonfly Woman to have her husband fix it, she said he could not. I told her to return my pemmican and she said she would not. I ask Grandmother Bear to give me justice and return what is ours.”
“Hiy, hiy,” said Walking Moon Woman nodding. “I will now ask Shining Star Woman of the Eagle Clan to tell Grandmother Bear how this ordeal has affected her twin sister.” The talking stick was passed to the younger Eagle twin.
“Tansi, Grandmother Bear,” she said, addressing the fire. “I am Shining Star Woman of the Eagle clan and I have come here today to support my sister. I hope this issue can be resolved quickly and justly, as my sister has been unable to eat or sleep because of the hurt she has in her heart.” The younger Eagle twin paused to compose herself. “All she wanted was to make her son happy. What kind of mother could wish to deprive her of that? Why would someone wish to put her through this?” She turned her glare at Red Dragonfly Woman. “We demand justice!”
“Hiy, hiy,” said Walking Moon Woman quickly, surprising the younger Eagle twin. “Singing Doe, please give our sister some water. I know it is difficult to see one’s loved one suffer in some way. We must not seek to place blame; we must open our hearts and seek an understanding.”
The Bear matriarch paused for a moment so that Singing Doe could offer the birch bark cup to the younger Eagle twin. The woman sobbed as she drank the water.
“Our Grandmother Bear has heard from our Eagle sisters, and now wishes to hear from our sister of the Wolf clan. Red Dragonfly Woman, I invite you to share your words to the Grandmother Bear.”
Red Dragonfly Woman was sitting with her arms crossed, bouncing her leg. She sucked her upper teeth, making a loud chirping sound, while maintaining eye contact with the younger Eagle twin. After a time, she shifted her gaze to the fire.
“Tansi, Grandmother Bear,” she said curtly. “I don’t know why I came here. No disrespect intended to the Bear clan. They have always been kind and fair.”
Walking Moon Woman nodded and cocked her head slightly as though straining to hear.
“Those Eagle twins…” Red Dragonfly Woman paused, shifting her gaze back to the twins. “They think they can say whatever they want because of who their grandmother is.”
“Ahem,” interrupted Walking Moon Woman, indicating the fire with her gaze.
“She came to me,” continued Red Dragonfly Woman, “asking for my husband to make a bow. I said he would do it for four bags of pemmican, which was less than I would normally agree to. I regret that now. She said she wanted the bow to be just like her husband’s, but small enough for her boy. I told my husband to do it, and he told me it would be made from the ash tree and would be hard to pull. I didn’t expect her to want him to kill a moose with it at only six summers, and she said she wanted it to look the same as her husband’s. But if any other kind of wood were used, it would not look the same, so I had him make it the way she asked for it.”
The Eagle twins frowned.
“Hiy, hiy,” said Walking Moon Woman. “Would your daughter like to share?”
Red Dragonfly Woman nodded at her daughter.
The girl spoke. “Tansi, Grandmother Bear. I am here to support my mother. We were asked to do something and we did it. My mother doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. The Eagle twins asked for a bow, my father made it, and my mother gave it to them. The next thing we know, everyone in the village is talking about how we somehow cheated the Eagles.”
The elder Eagle twin cleared her throat loudly.
“And then,” the girl added quickly, “she has the nerve to ask us for her pemmican back. Well, I don’t care who her grandmother is, my father did what was asked and we already ate the pemmican, which wasn’t very good anyway.”
“How dare you!” screamed the younger Eagle twin.
“Hiy, hiy,” interrupted Walking Moon Woman. “Grandmother Bear has heard enough. Let us stop for a while and have something to eat. Let’s all try to think about what has been shared and try to put ourselves in the other’s place.”
Singing Doe got up and began preparing food for the guests. Every scrape and clatter was heard through the silence in the lodge. Walking Moon Woman added wood to the small fire.
“You can help if you want to, my girl,” said Red Dragonfly Woman to her daughter, giving the Eagle twins a start. The girl stood up and assisted Singing Doe with the preparations. As the food was served, no one spoke. When all the guests were served, Singing Doe sat down next to her mother with some effort.
“How long until you have your baby, Auntie?” asked the girl.
“At least three more moons,” answered Singing Doe.
“I hope you have a girl. I’ll come and play with her.”
“You would be welcome any time,” smiled Singing Doe.
“How many children did you have, Bear mother?” asked the younger Eagle twin sweetly.
Red Dragonfly Woman frowned.
“I had five,” answered Walking Moon Woman. “Singing Doe is my eldest daughter and I had three boys before her.” The others began to eat and drink as they tried to focus their attention on the Bear matriarch and not at each other.
“I remember the first time I was pregnant,” reminisced the old woman. “I was so sure I would have a girl. I was the only girl my mother had and she was the only girl my grandmother had. It seems Bears usually have boys.”
&
nbsp; The others laughed knowingly. Walking Moon Woman looked deep into the fire.
“I remember I was so convinced I would have a daughter that I asked the Deer clan matriarch to make me a cradle board. She made the best quillwork designs in the village. I asked her to make butterflies, the rivers, and the moon, so everyone would know I had a daughter even if she was covered up. It seemed like I gave the Deer matriarch everything I possibly could, to trade, even some things I still needed. All I could think about was how proud I would be to have a daughter who would carry on the Bear clan.”
“And then you had a boy?” asked the girl.
“Tapwe, my girl.”
“What did you do?” asked Red Dragonfly Woman.
“I felt very embarrassed,” recalled Walking Moon Woman. “But when I held my son in my arms for the first time, nothing else seemed to matter.”
“What did you do with the cradleboard?” asked the younger Eagle twin.
“Well, I don’t quite remember…”
“Did you explain to the Deer clan matriarch what happened?” asked Red Dragonfly Woman.
“What could you have said to her?” interrupted the elder Eagle twin, scraping at her bowl. “She gave you exactly what you asked for...”
No one spoke. The elder Eagle twin’s face went red.
Walking Moon Woman reached in front of her, taking tobacco from a small pouch. She muttered prayers softly and offered the tobacco to the four directions before throwing it in the fire.
“I feel the presence of the Grandmother Bear,” said Walking Moon Woman. The others looked about the lodge, hearts racing. “The Grandmother wishes for Red Dragonfly Woman to speak first and then she wants to hear from White Star Woman.”
“My Eagle sister,” began Red Dragonfly Woman. “I am sorry your son wasn’t able to use the bow the way you wanted. When you asked us to make the bow, I was so proud to have my husband’s skill recognized by the Eagle clan. I hoped if he did a really good job, your grandmother would think well of us. I told him to make it exactly like your husband’s bow and I didn’t think about whether or not the wood would be too strong for a boy. I only wanted to give you what you wanted. When you first saw it, you were so happy. I was happy too, and I thought it would bring us closer. When I found out later you were unhappy, my heart was broken. Just tell me what you want to happen now. Your respect and friendship mean so much more to me.”
Singing Doe crawled over and hugged the sobbing Red Dragonfly Woman.
The Eagle twins looked at one another, exchanging facial ticks and twitches and mouthing words too quickly for anyone else to understand. The younger Eagle twin was not happy, but the elder twin knew what must be said.
“My sister,” she began. “It is I who must apologize. It seems I built up an expectation that turned out to be unrealistic. I was blinded by love for my son. I hope that as a mother you can forgive me. Your husband’s reputation is well deserved, and I am sure with time and practice, my son will one day hunt with his father and earn his warrior name.”
Red Dragonfly Woman stood up and stepped quickly over to the elder Eagle twin and hugged her. “My sister…” she said.
“Thank you, Grandmother Bear,” prayed Walking Moon Woman. “You have brought your healing gift to this lodge and restored our harmony. Red Dragonfly Woman will send her husband to help Laughing Cloud Boy to learn how to use the bow. White Star Woman will explain to the village that this misunderstanding has been resolved. Is everyone satisfied with this?”
Everyone nodded. The younger Eagle twin coughed into her hand.
“You should all return to your families. I am sure they are missing you. May the Bear bring her healing gift to the Wolf clan and the Eagle clan. Ekosi.”
Singing Doe saw the women out.
Red Dragonfly Woman was the last to leave. “I do hope you have a girl, my sister,” she said, pressing a hand to Singing Doe’s womb. “You and my baby brother deserve much happiness together.”
Later, as they were tidying up the Bear lodge, Singing Doe turned to her mother, a nagging question on her lips. “So what did you do with that cradleboard, mother?”
Walking Moon Woman knelt by the fire. “What cradleboard,” she said, smiling into the flames.
13
mitātaht nistosāp
The snows had melted and the trees and shrubs began to awaken when Singing Doe gave birth to a brown-eyed boy.
“Another boy?” said Red Dragonfly Woman as she held the new baby in her arms.
“Another hunter for our lodge, sister,” replied Brown Shield Man.
“Until he is married at least,” said Walking Moon Woman.
“The Bear Clan still needs a daughter,” said Red Dragonfly Woman.
“Tapwe.”
“Thank you for sponsoring his naming,” said Singing Doe.
“It was the least I could do. Not only is he my brother’s son, but I am so grateful that you were able to assist in that unpleasant situation with the Eagle twins. The younger one still gives me dirty looks when I see her…”
“How was the naming sweat?” asked Singing Doe, changing the subject.
“It was good. Very hot. You should have seen that rabbit come out! You never saw anything move so fast. A sweat lodge with the Grey-Eye magic is always something to see. I’m glad Soaring Star Woman was feeling well enough to attend. She has not been out of her lodge much.”
“Flying Rabbit Boy,” said Singing Doe to the infant in Red Dragonfly Woman’s arms.
“I think that name is appropriate,” added Walking Moon Woman. “I have never seen a baby born so quickly. He was in such a rush to join our family that I almost missed him when he fell.”
“Most of Nisichiwayasihk expected him to have Grey-Eyes like his cousin,” said Red Dragonfly Woman. “Everyone was talking about it, the bigger you got. Where is Little Grey Bear Boy anyway?”
“He is visiting Soaring Star Woman with his mother,” said Walking Moon Woman.
“Are you still having difficulty with him?”
“Tapwe,” sighed Singing Doe. “He has developed quite a temper. A few nights ago he got so angry when it was his bed time, that when he screamed ‘motch’ he blew the hides right off the lodge!”
“We were all so surprised no one moved,” added Walking Moon Woman. “You could see the full face of the Grandmother moon through the poles. He just stood there and said ‘I found the moon, mommy!’ as if nothing happened.”
The women laughed.
“Our husbands had to find the hides and cover the lodge in the dark,” said Singing Doe.
“Will you try again for a girl?”
“Tapwe, we will have to,” stated Walking Moon Woman. “The Bear clan must have an heir.”
“That is a concern for another time,” interrupted Painted Turtle Man. “Now is the time to honour Kitchi Manitou’s blessing. Creator would not allow the Bear Clan to simply fade away.”
The others were silenced by his words. Red Dragonfly Woman returned the baby to Singing Doe, who held her new infant to her breast and smiled.
“Well, I have never seen my little brother so happy,” said Red Dragonfly Woman as she stood up to leave. “I am glad I could be a part of this blessing. Let me know if you require anything. The Wolf clan stands ready to give any assistance you may need.”
“Hiy, hiy,” said Walking Moon Woman. “May the Grandmother bear bless you with her healing.”
“And may the Grandmother Wolf protect you and your family,” replied Red Dragonfly Woman as she left the Bear lodge.
Walking Moon Woman got up to add wood to the fire. “I wonder when White Willow Woman will come home.”
“I hope Little Grey Bear Boy is tired,” said Singing Doe. “I worry for my baby when he is in a bad mood.”
“I am worried for Soaring Star,” said Walking Moon Woman. “She is not as
strong as she once was.”
“Don’t be afraid,” said Painted Turtle Man. “He is high spirited, but that is normal for a child his age. It is we who need to learn how to manage his magic.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” said Walking Moon Woman. “He only listens to you.”
“Tapwe,” added Singing Doe.
“Perhaps I am the only one who listens to him,” grumbled Painted Turtle Man. “We must not fear his gifts; we must learn to live with them. In time, the Grey-Eye magic will benefit all of Nisichawayasihk.”
“Can it help us have a girl?” asked Walking Moon Woman.
Painted Turtle Man did not answer; he knew his cousin’s wit far too well.
////
“Wake up!” yelled White Willow Woman.
“What is it?” a weary Blue Elk Man yawned.
“Where is your son?”
“He was with you.”
“What is going on?” asked Walking Moon Woman. “Go back to sleep.”
“Where is Little Grey Bear Boy?” asked a frantic White Willow Woman.
“Get some bark on the fire,” suggested Painted Turtle Man. Blue Elk Man fumbled about and tore birch bark into strips, throwing them onto the faintly glowing coals. The Grandfather Sun had not yet begun his journey and it was still very dark in the lodge. As the strips of birch bark caught flame, the lodge became illuminated.
“He’s over there,” said Brown Shield Man, indicating a corner by Painted Turtle Man’s bedside.
“My boy!” yelled White Willow Woman as she jumped up to retrieve her son. “What have you got on yourself?”
“Tansi?” said Little Grey Bear Boy, who was covered in a greasy liquid that he had been scooping out of a leather pouch.
“Not my red clover medicine,” said Painted Turtle Man with a sigh. “It took me days to make that much of it.”
“It’s even up his nose,” said White Willow Woman, trying to wipe the medicine off with a deer hide rag. “Will it hurt him?”
“Motch, my girl,” said Painted Turtle Man. “It’s for burns and sickness of the skin.”