by Franks Busch
“What will we do?” asked the younger Eagle twin.
“We must find a new place to live,” said Singing Doe, now matriarch of the Bear clan.
“But where is there such a place?” Yellow Moon Woman, new matriarch of the Turtle clan, asked.
“There is a place…” muttered Gliding Heron Woman from the travois. “We called it O’pipon-na-piwin, the wintering place. Whenever there was a drought or bad hunting in the fall, we would go there. It was discovered by one of the hunters after Dark Cloud Man had left us the first time. He would not know that place…”
“Do you remember how to get there, Nookum?” asked Drifting Butterfly Woman.
“We must go north and east.”
The women of the new Circle of Clan Mothers looked at one another but said nothing. There was nowhere else to go, and this plan was better than no plan at all.
“It is decided then,” announced Drifting Butterfly Woman. “Ekosi.”
Word spread to the remaining villagers and they gathered their meager possessions to begin the long journey. Drifting Butterfly Woman asked around about how much food had been saved from the village. It was not much.
“We do not have much food,” Singing Doe informed the remaining Bears. “But we are more fortunate than others…”
Flying Rabbit Boy looked down at his bow and counted the arrows in his quiver. The responsibility of being a man swelled in his chest and he knew what he had to do.
“I will be back,” he said, giving his mother a kiss before running off into the forest.
The others helped gather children and attend to the wounded. It was midday by the time the people were ready to embark on their journey.
As Little Grey Bear Boy helped his father shoulder the travois carrying Many Fish, he saw his cousin return. Flying Rabbit Boy had his bow slung across his back. He carried three rabbits.
“It seems you have learned to use your bow,” said Singing Doe.
“It is as though I cannot miss!” he whispered to Little Grey Bear Boy, raising his bow. The boys mustered a brief smile but the moment faded.
“Go and give them to Drifting Butterfly Woman,” said Singing Doe. “She is gathering all the food for sharing.”
“Tapwe, my mother,” answered Flying Rabbit Boy. As he marched over to where Drifting Butterfly Woman was dividing up the remaining food, Water Lily Woman joined him.
“What have you got there?” she asked as playfully as she could muster. “Are those all for me?”
“Grandmother Rabbit has blessed us. But I have been blessed by you.”
“Me?”
“The magic arrow. Ever since I shot Dark Cloud Man with it, I have not been able to miss.”
“I am afraid you misunderstood,” said Water Lily Woman. “I did nothing to that arrow.”
“Awas! Don’t be so modest.” Flying Rabbit Boy laughed at the game.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought your cousin would tell you I was only playing. I do not know of any magic that can make an arrow hit its mark.”
“But then how…”
“All I did was tell you to go fishing. I told you to catch fish because I knew it would give you the muscles to steady your injured arm. It seems you lacked only the confidence to hit your targets. The skill was always yours.”
“So, you lied to me?”
Water Lily Woman looked up quickly, alarmed, but saw Flying Rabbit Boy was only teasing. She gave him a peck on the cheek before running off.
“I love you,” he whispered as she left.
60
nikotwāsikomitanaw
The journey to the northeast was long and difficult. Before they left, those who were able returned to Nisichawayasihk to collect their remaining possessions. They found the ground flooded to below the knee. The bodies of those killed in battle floated along with broken lodge poles and other debris. They were forced to leave the dead where they lay, there being no time for proper burials. The three rivers would be doing the job for them. Little Grey Bear Boy went to the ruins of the Bear lodge and found Painted Turtle Man’s medicine bundle.
Flying Rabbit Boy was given a special assignment by the Circle of Clan Mothers, a great honour for the boy. He was to stay behind and wait for the warriors who had gone on the Great Buffalo Hunt to the south.
“Words will not be needed to explain what has happened,” Drifting Butterfly Woman told him. “The warriors will see for themselves.”
Gliding Heron Woman instructed the Nehiyawak to tie pine boughs to the bottom logs of their travois in order to hide their trail. She fell in and out of consciousness throughout the journey and the other matriarchs had to wake her from time to time to guide them. On a few occasions, it took the women a very long time to wake her. It seemed her injuries were more serious than two broken legs.
The Nehiyawak travelled for many days as the leaves of autumn began to fall and frost began to greet them at sunrise. Six of the injured villagers died of their injuries on the journey and were buried under piles of rocks in secret graves. The women quietly sang the mourning song all the way to O’pipon na-piwin.
On the eighth day of the journey, the sound of many feet running through the forest could be heard. The remaining warriors prepared to defend what was left of the people of Nisichawayasihk. It was Flying Rabbit Boy, accompanied by nine of the warriors who had returned from the Great Buffalo Hunt. “We found no buffalo,” reported Sharp Stone Man. “We were ambushed by Red-Eye Warriors and fourteen men were killed. It seems we have all been set up from the beginning by Dark Cloud Man, the Red-Eye.”
“The winter will be especially hard without the blessings of Grandmother Buffalo,” said Drifting Butterfly Woman. “And with so few hunters…”
“We will find a way, Auntie,” said Flying Rabbit Boy.
The remaining warriors returned, some to their mothers, wives, and children; others, to no one at all, only sad tidings. The Nehiyawak seemed destitute, not only in material things but in their hearts as well.
Little Grey Bear Boy tried hard to keep up their spirits, a difficult task considering the circumstances. In the evenings, by the camp fire’s light, he told the stories Painted Turtle Man used to tell. With his Turtle Shell Rattle, he made the flames dance in the air to the delight of the children. Water Lily Woman helped by singing the children off to sleep with her melodic voice.
By day, Flying Rabbit Boy scouted the path ahead and reported back to the Circle of Clan Mothers. He always seemed to return from his scouting duties with a rabbit or a ptarmigan to eat. One day he came back empty handed. He waited for someone to comment on his lack of success this time. That was when he reported having taken a full-grown bull moose.
This was the best news the Nehiyawak had received since they fled Nisichawayasihk. Already, they had gone through most of the food they had salvaged and many had gone to bed hungry these last few days. The entire camp turned in the direction of the slain moose, following Flying Rabbit Boy. Normally shy, Singing Doe, matriarch of the Bear clan, walked with her head a little higher, as all of the Nehiyawak praised her son’s skill with the bow.
When they arrived at the place where the bull moose lay, they made camp. The women went to work immediately, skinning and butchering the carcass, and ensuring every family received their fair share. As they did so, the men seemed to gather together suddenly. One of them drew out a large elk hide drum and struck it four times.
“People of Nisichawayasihk!” announced the remaining Crane clan warrior. “Take notice on this day! Show your respect as the White Wolf Warrior Society inducts its newest member.” Those Nehiyawak who were able, rose to their feet.
“I wonder who they are taking?” whispered Flying Rabbit Boy.
“Who do you think?” answered Little Grey Bear Boy.
“The White Wolf Warrior Society calls Flying Rabbit Boy of the Bear clan,” ann
ounced the senior warrior. “Come forward!”
Flying Rabbit Boy gripped his bow and walked forward with his back straight and his chest out, but his watery eyes revealed his nervousness. Blue Elk Man followed behind him.
“Who presents this child?” asked the senior warrior.
“My brothers,” answered Blue Elk Man. “I am sent to speak for your brother, Many Fish of the Deer clan, White Wolf Warrior, wounded in battle.”
“Speak!” barked the senior warrior.
“This boy is a boy no longer,” announced Blue Elk Man. “He has provided meat so the Nehiyawak can eat. He has also proven himself a warrior by defending the Nehiyawak in battle. He has killed two of the Red-Eye warriors and severely wounded the Red-Eye himself. He has no more need of a boy’s name. We demand you give him a man’s name as well as his father’s place in your brotherhood.”
The warriors whooped and shrieked and sounded their drums loudly.
“Tapwe! Your words speak the truth. But first he must be rid of childish things. Let any who are in need come forward and claim them.”
The Nehiyawak looked around at each other. Although a giveaway was necessary, no one wanted to take from the boy the few possessions he still had. Flying Rabbit Boy looked down and realized all he had left was his trusty bow. After an awkward amount of time had passed, a young boy approached. Flying Rabbit Boy thought of the day he had been given the bow in the same manner.
“This bow helped me become a warrior,” he said sadly. “I hope it will do the same for you one day.” The wide-eyed boy accepted the very bow that had injured the Red-Eye. It was already a thing of legend.
“You came into this world naked and alone,” preached the senior warrior, “and you will leave our Mother Earth in the same way. Speak now the oath of the White Wolf Warrior Society, that we may accept you as our brother.”
Flying Rabbit Boy spoke the words he had heard his father say so many times before.
“I hereby pledge to protect the Nehiyawak with my life and to walk humbly upon Mother Earth. I will hold myself no greater and no lesser than any of Kitchi Manitou’s creations. I will strive for equality in all my deeds and with all my words in accordance with the laws of the White Wolf Warrior Society. This I swear in Creator’s light, and before all the Nehiyawak gathered here today, before you my brothers of the White Wolf Warrior Society, from this day forward, until Creator calls me home.”
The warriors cheered and the Nehiyawak joined in the long howl of the White Wolf Warrior Society.
“We have heard the words spoken!” announced the senior warrior. “With the Nehiyawak gathered here today we accept his vow. He will be called Flying Rabbit Boy no longer. From this day forward all shall know him as Flying Arrow Man of the Bear clan, warrior of the White Wolf Warrior Society.”
The Nehiyawak cheered again and a warrior presented Flying Arrow Man with the White Wolf Robe. Blue Elk Man came forward and presented him with a new bow.
“This is a man’s bow,” said Blue Elk Man. “You will need it to feed the Nehiyawak.”
“I will do my best, Uncle.”
“That is all anyone can ask of us,” answered Blue Elk Man. “Your father was like a brother to me. I would be honoured to hunt with you as once I hunted with him.”
“The honour would be mine, Uncle!” replied Flying Arrow Man.
There was no time for much celebration and the feast was a little subdued—they had to store as much of the moose meat as they could for winter. Nonetheless, this was the happiest day of Flying Arrow Man’s life.
“I’m proud of you, cousin!” said Little Grey Bear Boy.
“I’m sorry I was named before you.”
“I’m not jealous. To think like that would only create a rift between us. You deserved to be named before me because you had to work harder to earn that honour. You accomplished more than me and without the assistance of the Grey-Eye magic.”
“I think you are right,” teased Flying Arrow Man. “I suppose you will have to call me ‘Uncle’ now.”
“Awas!” said Little Grey Bear Boy, giving his cousin a push. “Don’t count on it!”
The people continued their journey to O’pipon-na-piwin, the wintering place, with a renewed determination. Little Grey Bear Boy helped his father from time to time in dragging the injured Many Fish on the travois. The Eagle warriors were also dragging a travois which appeared to have a bound figure tied to it. The younger Eagle twin walked beside the travois, one hand on it at all times. She noticed Little Grey Bear Boy and Many Fish looking at her and nodded to them politely. They nodded back after a moment, not used to having an Eagle Twin observe the common niceties.
“I guess they must have found her sister’s body,” whispered Many Fish from the travois.
“I am surprised they were able,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy. “I didn’t think there would be anything left of her…”
Finally, as the days of autumn ended and the cold winds of the north started blowing, the Nehiyawak came upon a very large lake.
“This is the lake,” moaned Gliding Heron Woman. “I remember this place, we are not far. A rocky arm reaches into the water followed by a sandy beach. After the beach there is a high cliff face. That is O’pipon-na-piwin…”
The Nehiyawak followed the shore of the great lake as instructed and after three days they came upon the place the old matriarch had described.
“Nookum,” asked Drifting Butterfly Woman. “Is this the wintering place?”
The old woman didn’t answer.
Drifting Butterfly Woman touched her face. “She has left us.”
The women took up the mourning song and wailed in tribute to the fallen matriarch. She had rationed her life force perfectly.
The Nehiyawak got to work immediately, erecting makeshift lodges. There were hides and poles enough for only two lodges, so the Bears and the Cranes shared one and the Martens and the Deer another. The Eagle, Wolf, and Turtle clans were too large to share a single lodge with anyone and did their best to make do. The Eagles again seemed to be the most comfortable, as their warriors had managed to salvage more from Nisichawayasihk than the others.
The lodges went up quickly and a new centre fire pit was dug out. The Nehiyawak worked quickly and were resettled after only two days. On the third day an Eagle warrior came to the shared lodge of the Bears and Cranes.
“Auntie,” said Sharp Stone Man to Drifting Butterfly Woman. “My mother wishes for the Nehiyawak to gather.”
“It shall be so,” said Drifting Butterfly Woman, as was the duty of the Crane clan.
“I suppose some things will never change,” said White Willow Woman.
“We will have to be nice for now,” counseled Drifting Butterfly Woman. “Few will survive the winter without the Eagle clan warriors to provide meat.”
“My son will keep us fed.”
“And my husband!” added White Willow Woman.
“I am afraid I am not so fortunate…” lamented Drifting Butterfly Woman.
“We have not forgotten how you cared for us in our time of need,” said Singing Doe. “And we will now repay the kindness you once showed us, my sister.”
The women got to their feet and left the lodge together. Flying Arrow Man and Little Grey Bear Boy helped Many Fish out of the lodge so he could see what was happening.
The entire Eagle clan had gathered in front of their lodge. They had laid out many items on a great elk hide in front of them. Nearby was the body they had dragged back from Nisichawayasihk. It seemed they wanted to have an elaborate funeral.
“People of O’pipon-na-piwin!” announced the lone Eagle twin. “Today we pay honour to a great leader of the Nehiyawak!”
Singing Doe looked at Drifting Butterfly Woman.
“The Eagle clan believes this man deserves to be buried in the proper way among the Nehiyawak,” she co
ntinued.
“Man?” whispered Little Grey Bear Boy.
“I don’t understand…” said Flying Arrow Man.
Two of the Eagle warriors came forward and drew back the blanket that had covered the body. It was Painted Turtle Man. The survivors gasped at the sight of the Bear clan medicine carrier, the one so many had called ‘moosum.’
“This great man has served the Nehiyawak since long before any of us were born,” she said. “It is in his honour that the Eagle clan would give away all of our earthly possessions to whomever is in need.”
The people of the O’pipon-na-piwin murmured their approval.
“Furthermore,” added the Eagle matriarch, “I would humble myself before the Nehiyawak. I have acted shamefully and am no longer capable of leading the Circle of Clan Mothers. I must walk with humility and follow the lead of those better suited to serve the people. I would support the leadership of my sister Drifting Butterfly Woman, of the Crane clan, if all of my sisters are in agreement.”
The remaining matriarchs nodded in agreement and Singing Doe smiled at Drifting Butterfly Woman. “You are the youngest woman ever to be named leader of the Circle of Clan Mothers,” she said.
“I only wish it were under better circumstances,” Drifting Butterfly Woman replied.
“We are in agreement,” announced the lone Eagle twin. “I have only one more mistake I need to correct. Last year, a young woman of the Turtle clan presented herself to the Eagle lodge. In my foolishness I turned her away, much to my son’s dismay. He loves her. I would offer my son, Sharp Stone Man, to her, if she would still have him.”
The eldest of the Turtle girls stepped forward and walked over to the Eagle lodge. She stood in front of Sharp Stone Man and reached out her hand. He took her hand and let her lead him back to the Turtle lodge. The Nehiyawak cheered this union and the balance it would bring to the new village.
“Let all who are in need come forward and claim what they can use,” said the lone Eagle Twin.
With that, the Eagle clan became the poorest family in O’pipon-na-piwin. The Nehiyawak milled about, receiving their gifts and paying homage to the great medicine carrier of the Bear clan. Painted Turtle Man was given an honourable burial in a place upon the cliff next to Gliding Heron Woman. This place would become the burial site for the people of O’pipon-na-piwin.