by Franks Busch
“What has happened, Moosum,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy, “is that I have made a decision.”
Painted Turtle Man let his raised eyebrows fall.
“The decision was never yours to make!” stated Walking Moon Woman, matriarch of the Bear clan. “I will decide what goes on in the Bear lodge!”
“Nookum,” replied Little Grey Bear Boy. “I mean you no disrespect, but I know as well as everyone here this was never your decision either…”
Walking Moon Woman looked at Little Grey Bear Boy, astonished by his words. She wanted to get angry but she knew he was right. She relinquished. “I am sorry, my boy. I do not know how it ever came to pass that the Bear clan would lose control over its own destiny. I am so ashamed…”
The old woman sat back down where she was and began to cry. Singing Doe and White Willow Woman went to comfort her.
“What would you have us do?” asked Blue Elk Man.
“I had not thought about that…” admitted Little Grey Bear Boy.
“I have an idea,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I have been thinking about this for quite some time. In fact, I was hoping something like this might happen.”
“You were hoping my son would make my mother cry?” exclaimed White Willow Woman.
“Motch, my girl. I had hoped we would have reason to challenge the other clans meddling in our family’s destiny.”
“What is your plan?” asked Brown Shield Man.
“I think it is time my grandson began his vision quest.”
The entire family was silent for a time.
“Your solution is to send my son away?” asked White Willow Woman.
“It would only be for four days!” assured Painted Turtle Man. “When one of the Nehiyawak has come to a crossroads in his or her life, then the time of the vision quest is at hand. He will walk the forest and commune with the spirits and with our animal brothers. He will ask Kitchi Manitou to give him a vision so he may make the right decision on which direction his life journey should take.”
“How will we do this?” asked Blue Elk Man. “Red Sky Man will say it is for him to decide as Little Grey Bear Boy’s teacher.”
“It is time the Bear clan decides its own destiny,” said Walking Moon Woman.
The next morning, White Willow Woman walked to the Crane lodge to inform Drifting Butterfly Woman that Little Grey Bear Boy would begin his vision quest. The Crane clan warriors spread the news throughout the village, as was their duty.
Later in the day, as the Bears were making their preparations, a Crane clan warrior came to the Bear lodge.
“Tansi, Nookum,” the warrior said respectfully, addressing Walking Moon Woman. “The Circle of Clan Mothers will gather this night at the Eagle lodge.”
“The Circle is to gather at the Eagle lodge?” repeated Walking Moon Woman.
“Tapwe, this is what I have been told.” The Crane warrior bowed and left the Bear lodge.
“What does this mean, my mother?” asked Singing Doe.
“It means the Circle now meets in secret…”
“But that is not the way of the Nehiyawak,” said White Willow Woman.
“Motch, my girl,” answered Walking Moon Woman. “It is not…”
The Bear clan continued with their preparations. Anyone who saw them frowned or looked away. Painted Turtle Man continued about his work without a second thought to the gossiping Nehiyawak. The task at hand was to see his adopted grandson taking his first real steps towards becoming a man. Little Grey Bear Boy would walk the forest alone for four days and nights seeking a vision to guide him on his life’s journey. Painted Turtle Man cared about nothing else than to see him readied for his quest—and to be there to help him interpret the vision.
“Have you got a tent?” he asked.
“Motch, I do not,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy.
“What did you use at the sundance?”
“I borrowed one from my sponsor, Many Fish.”
“Well, go and ask him if he will let you use it,” instructed Painted Turtle Man.
“Tapwe, Moosum.”
Little Grey Bear Boy crossed the village and went to the Crane lodge. “Ahem!” he said outside the entrance way. One of the children came to the door and, seeing who it was, shouted: “It’s the Grey-Eyed boy!”
“Little Grey Bear Boy!” said Many Fish, coming out. “What brings you here this fine day?”
“I came to ask you to loan me your tent.”
“Are you going hunting?”
“Motch, Uncle. Painted Turtle Man says it is time for me to go on my vision quest.”
“Tapwe,” said Many Fish, touching his forehead. “I knew that…Of course you can use it. I am honoured you would come to me on such a special occasion as this.”
“Thank you, Uncle. I am honoured you would help me, as you did with the sundance.”
“Anytime, my boy. I know you will take good care of me when I am an old man.” He winked.
Little Grey Bear Boy took the hides wrapped around four short poles. As he was returning to the Bear lodge with the tightly bundled tent, he heard a voice he had been dreading.
“What are you doing?” It was Red Sky Man.
“I am preparing for my vision quest…”
“Ha!” exclaimed Red Sky Man, cutting him off. “Don’t bother, you won’t be going anywhere.” He walked away chuckling to himself.
Little Grey Bear Boy felt a burning sensation behind his eyes and a vibration in the air as he quickly returned to the Bear lodge. The grass beneath his feet turned yellow as he walked across it. He burst into the lodge. Everyone there could feel the power of his anger. The hides on the Bear lodge were strained as an unseen force pushed on them.
“What is the matter, my son?” asked White Willow Woman.
“I just saw Red Sky Man,” explained Little Grey Bear Boy, trying to compose himself. “He told me not to prepare for my vision quest, that I would not be going anywhere.”
“I can guess what topic you will be discussing at the Circle tonight,” Painted Turtle Man said to his cousin. “Strange that the clan mothers inform Red Sky Man, when they have not yet informed you…”
“Yes, thanks for pointing that out,” Walking Moon Woman said, frowning.
That evening, the Bear clan matriarch and her daughters made their way to the Eagle lodge. The three Bear clan women entered the lodge and found the other matriarchs already gathered, chatting among themselves. The chatter stopped as soon as the Bear clan appeared. Walking Moon Woman noted Red Sky Man sitting with the Eagle twins. Drifting Butterfly Woman stood just inside the door. It appeared she had just arrived.
“My sister,” said the younger Eagle twin to Walking Moon Woman, nodding at her daughters. “This gathering is only for matriarchs.”
“Will Red Sky Man be leaving us?” asked Drifting Butterfly Woman as she took her seat.
The younger Eagle twin scowled.
“Singing Doe and White Willow Woman can stay,” said Talking Stone Woman, matriarch of the Deer clan. “It concerns them as well.” The Bear clan women took their place in the Circle of Clan Mothers.
Drifting Butterfly Woman began the meeting. “My sisters. We have been called here to discuss recent events. It would seem there is disharmony in the village. On one side, the Bear clan wishes to send Little Grey Bear Boy on his vision quest. On the other, the Eagle clan has expressed concerns…”
“My sisters,” interrupted Walking Moon Woman. “What ‘concerns’ can the Eagle clan possibly have for how I raise my grandson?” The matriarchs all nodded, with the exception of the Eagle twins.
“My sisters,” said the elder Eagle twin. “It was previously agreed by this Circle that Little Grey Bear Boy would be taught by our Eagle medicine carrier. To our knowledge, this decision has not been rescinded. Should it not be the boy’s teac
her who decides when his pupil should seek a vision?”
Some of the matriarchs nodded while others looked down.
“My sisters,” continued Walking Moon Woman. “It was agreed by this Circle that Little Grey Bear Boy would be taught by Red Sky Man during the day and by Painted Turtle Man by night. In the Circle’s wisdom it was decided the boy could benefit most in learning from two teachers. My cousin has advised me that it is now time for the boy to begin his vision quest. Painted Turtle Man has known the boy since the very day he was born, as some of you might remember. I took many things into consideration before deciding this would be a good thing for my grandson…”
“My sister.” It was the elder Eagle twin’s turn to interrupt. “Should you have not also taken Red Sky Man’s wisdom into consideration before making your decision?”
“I guess it never occurred to me to ask the advice of an outsider as to how I should raise my grandson!”
The clan matriarchs all looked down, ashamed of the implication that anyone should come between a mother and child. This was not the way of the Nehiyawak and they all knew it.
“But perhaps you are right about Red Sky Man. I would invite him to offer his wisdom…”
The matriarchs and the twins looked at each other in confusion, while Red Sky Man sat up straight.
“Thank you, my sister,” he said, not missing a beat. “I do not feel the boy is ready to undertake the vision quest. He is only fourteen summers and still has much to learn. I believe his teachings are well behind what they should be at his age. Perhaps if he had the benefit of a teacher with previous experience with the Grey-Eye magic, he would have been ready.”
The Eagle twins nodded proudly and searched the faces of the other matriarchs for approval.
“Thank you, Red Sky Man of the Eagle clan,” said Walking Moon Woman. “I have taken your thoughts into consideration and have decided Little Grey Bear Boy will embark on his vision quest under the guidance of Painted Turtle Man.”
Drifting Butterfly Woman was unable to stifle her laughter for a moment. Red Sky Man looked furious that he had been fooled by the Bear clan matriarch. The other matriarchs wondered why they had gathered in the first place.
“My sisters,” announced Drifting Butterfly Woman when she had composed herself. “I for one do not believe there is anything more to discuss in this matter.”
“My sisters!” exclaimed the elder Eagle twin. “I do not believe enough consideration has been given to this matter. If she could just be made to understand that…”
“My sister,” said Talking Stone Woman, matriarch of the Deer clan. “A matriarch has spoken for her grandson. There is nothing left for any of us to discuss. Would the Eagles next tell me how to raise my family? I am glad Soaring Star Woman was not here to see what our Circle has become…”
The matriarchs looked up into the starry sky, remembering their great leader, now gone on to the Great Mystery. Soaring Star Woman had led them with wisdom and grace across many years. Somewhere along the path, they had forgotten her example and in so doing dishonoured her memory.
“My sisters,” said Gliding Heron Woman of the Marten clan. “I am concerned about how we came to this. After we have all had time to clear our minds and hearts of anger and resentment, I will call for this Circle of Clan Mothers to reconsider who we would have speaking for us.”
The younger Eagle twin gasped loudly and her whole body shook as she covered her mouth with her hand.
“My sisters,” said the elder Eagle twin. “Perhaps it would be best if we…”
“Tapwe!” agreed Blue Lightning Woman of the Wolf clan. “That is a serious matter for another day. As far as this matter is concerned, I see no cause for further discussion.”
“Thank you, my sisters,” said Walking Moon Woman. “May the Grandmother Bear guide you in the ways of healing. Ekosi.” With that she stood up and left the Eagle lodge with her daughters. The Bear clan women returned to their lodge, heads held high.
53
niyānanomitanaw nīstosāp
When the preparations were complete, the Bear clan gathered near the edge of the village to see Little Grey Bear Boy off.
Singing Doe presented her nephew with a new pair of moccasins to mark the occasion. “I was making them for Flying Rabbit Boy,” she explained. “It seems your need is greater.”
He now had new moccasins, his medicine bundle, a blanket, and a tent. He also took Flying Rabbit Boy’s bow and quiver of arrows, which he noticed was without the magic arrow.
“Be careful with my bow. I will need it to earn my name.”
“Don’t worry, cousin,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy. “You’ll get it back…”
“Make sure you pray,” instructed Painted Turtle Man.
“Tapwe!” assured Little Grey Bear Boy. “Of course, Moosum.”
“And remember too…”
“In what direction will you go?” called Red Sky Man stepping out from behind the Deer lodge, cutting him off.
“Why do you ask?” inquired Painted Turtle Man.
“Is it not customary for a warrior to inform others of his plans before leaving the village?” asked Red Sky Man. “I was always taught to let people know where I go so that if anything happens, they will know where to look for me. What if he needs help?”
“You are right,” nodded Painted Turtle Man. “I am happy you are so concerned for my grandson. I will be instructing him to head east.”
“East? Is that where your ‘visions’ have shown you?” The Eagle medicine carrier walked away laughing. Painted Turtle Man scowled at him as he left, then turned to his grandson.
“My boy,” he whispered, “I will tell everyone you are headed east, and you will go that way at first…You know the place where you collect driftwood?”
“Yes, Moosum,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy quietly.
“I will meet you there…”
“Moosum?”
“Trust me.”
Little Grey Bear Boy caught a hint of desperation in the old man’s eyes. “Tapwe,” came his reply.
The family said their goodbyes, with Little Grey Bear Boy’s mother reminding him to follow his teachings, his father warning him of the dangers of the forest, and his sister offering her prayers. Last, it was Walking Moon Woman’s turn.
“Be careful,” was all she said.
“Yes, Nookum. And thank you for everything.”
“It is I who must thank you, for helping me remember who I am.”
Little Grey Bear Boy nodded and hugged her, taking in the familiar scent of wild peppermint and cook fire smoke. This hug was different from those they had shared before. As a child he would lean into her embrace, enjoying the soft warmth and resting his head on her shoulder. This time she leaned into him and he felt the warmth of her cheek on his shoulder. For the first time, he realized he was now taller.
He left the village, heading east as instructed, and made his way to the beach where he had collected the driftwood for the Eagle medicine lodge. The heavier autumn winds made the waves crash upon the shore harder than in the summer moons. The leaves of the birch and poplar trees were starting to change from lush green to orange and yellow. Although this was a familiar place, it seemed different. A tingle went up his spine. Feeling like he did not wish to be seen, Little Grey Bear Boy crouched down low next to a large jack pine and scanned the trees and bushes for signs of movement. Soon, he heard footsteps shuffling near him. It was Painted Turtle Man, looking this way and that, his features strained.
“Moosum!” whispered Little Grey Bear Boy. “Over here!”
The old man walked right to the boy but still looked around for him. “Where are you?” He leaned against the jack pine and whispered, though he was standing right next to the boy.
“I am right here!” shouted the boy, frightening the old man. Little Grey Bear Boy looked dow
n and saw his legs were missing. He had not noticed the buzzing in the air. He stood up and closed his eyes, trying to calm his beating heart. He cleared his mind. The vibration in the air subsided after a time he was again visible.
“That was a good trick,” chuckled Painted Turtle Man, steadying himself on a firm branch.
“I am sorry, I did not even realize I had done it.”
“That does not matter,” said Painted Turtle Man. “What matters is that the magic works when necessary. Here, I brought you something.” The old man handed the boy a heavy satchel.
“What is it, Moosum?”
“It is food, my boy.”
“Food?”
“Tapwe! I know it is customary to fast on one’s vision quest, but I want you to stay strong. I had a strange dream last night, and I fear something is about to happen.”
“You had a vision?” Little Grey Bear Boy helped his adopted grandfather sit against the trunk of the tree.
“I think so, my boy, but I must go and see that it is true. I must go far to the southeast.”
“I will go with you!”
“Motch, you travel a different path, but there is something you can do to help me.”
“Anything, Moosum.”
“I need you to turn me into a bird.”
Little Grey Bear Boy was taken aback. He was surprised to be asked to use the Grey-Eye magic and worried he could not fulfill this request.
“Moosum…”
“I know it will be difficult and I should not ask such a thing, but it must be done.”
“But Moosum, I do not know how,” said Little Grey Bear Boy.
“Yes, you do! You once turned me into a stag. You also turned your cousin into a turtle when it was needed. Now I need you to turn me into a bird so I can travel fast and far.”
“But how, Moosum?”
“I don’t know. How do you think it will work?” Little Grey Bear Boy grabbed Painted Turtle Man’s extended arm to help him up again. He brushed the dirt and fallen pine needles off the old man, playing for time. Little Grey Bear Boy was surprised by the question. With Red Sky Man, he tried to force the magic. The thought never occurred to him to think about how the Grey-Eye magic worked on its own.