Whispering Spirits

by Rita Karnopp

  “You knew grandmother had this planned, didn’t you? Couldn’t you have asked me if I wanted to go on such a trip? You talk about respect…what about respecting me?”

  “Niipo, you’re going to have to be open-minded. Nah’ah didn’t plan this to annoy you. She has wanted to do this for years and when you agreed to spend time with her, she felt she could finally make this dream come true. Keep in mind that respect is what links all things, our connection to each other, the earth, the animals and birds, and even our gratitude to the Creator for each beautiful morning and every peaceful night.”

  “The older you get, the more you sound like Nah’ah. I understand you two have a bond in your Blackfeet beliefs, but remember that doesn’t mean I do. I’ve long since left all that traditional values philosophy behind me. I don’t have a need for it. I’m moving out of the old and seeing clearly for the first time that I belong in today. I’m sorry if that disappoints you and Nah’ah.”

  “It’s sad to know my only daughter doesn’t feel a need for her ancestors. If only you could feel their spirits…they whisper all around you, but you have to want to hear them.”

  Summer choked back a tear that threatened. She’d hurt him and that was the last thing she wanted to do. Her mother had deserted her, but her inn had always been that rock, that solid foundation she could count on. “You’ve always had a connection to the old ones. I tried by learning our Blackfeet language. Yet it seems I feel pushed toward the ways of the Blackfeet instead of a pull or drive to be a part of it. I don’t feel that link, that relationship you and Nah’ah have…I feel nothing.”

  “That’s because you don’t try, Niipo. You’re like so many of the other young Blackfeet children who get swallowed up in the white man’s world. You think it’s better to leave the past…leave your heritage behind you. I think it’s because you’re ashamed to be Blackfeet. You should be proud. You should hold your head up and show a Blackfeet woman can be successful and honorable in both the eyes of the napi’kwan and ni-tsi-ta-pi-ksi, the real people.”

  “I’ll honor Nah’ah and listen to her stories. For you, Inn, I’ll do my best to be open-minded and try to hear the whispering spirits.” She moved into his open arms and hugged him with all the love she felt. “Kit’sika’ko-mimmo.”

  “I love you too, Niipo.”

  Summer grabbed her small bag and allowed her father to carry the large suitcase and ducked under the whirling blades. She loved new adventures, yet this one seemed daunting. Would her father be safe from the man calling? Surely she’d have no cell service. Maneuvering to the back seat of the chopper, she first realized she wasn’t alone. “Nah’ah! Oki! I didn’t know you were in here. I thought you were…never mind. I’m so happy to see you.” Summer gave her grandmother a quick hug. She snapped her seatbelt just as the chopper rose from the ground. Nah’ah grabbed her hand.

  “I have not seen you since Christmas. You must not stay away so long.”

  “You’re right. I’ve missed you so much.” Summer leaned over and hugged her again. Nah’ah had somehow aged in those six months. Guilt swept over Summer and she shrugged it off.

  “This is exciting. I’ve never been in a helicopter before. Don’t you find it exhilarating, Nah’ah?”

  “It is like dancing with the sky. It was your inn’s idea to fly like the birds. He said you have always wanted to do this. So now we do it together.”

  “Tst-ma-kii-tak-ki-ta-poh-pa?”

  “A’akah-kayo’pa.”

  “What do you mean, we’re going home?” Summer noticed her grandmother’s eyes misted over.

  “When I was a little girl my nah’ah took me…like her nah’ah before her took her…and so it has been done for all the ages. Now it is my turn to take you.”

  “Where exactly is that?” Summer hoped they wouldn’t be living on the hot prairie, treeless and no streams.

  “Our people would camp on the prairie beyond the eastern shore of Many Chief’s River. It is now called St. Mary’s Lake. My women relatives would leave the camp and set up two tipis further east, alongside the Green Banks.”

  “I’m glad to hear we’ll at least be near a river and hopefully under some shaded trees. Why did they have two tipis?” As she often did when a young girl, Summer found herself caught up in Nah’ah’s story.

  “It is for the protector. It is the duty of a husband or a favored son to have a separate tipi nearby. He makes sure the women have fresh food and are protected from animals, especially the two-legged variety.”

  Nah’ah’s warm laughter made Summer smile. “So will we have a protector?”

  “Most certainly. You know him rather well, since you dated his brother for two years or more, Nato’sin.”

  “Cameron Running Crane? Why him?”

  “I would have thought you’d be happy to have a strong, upstanding young man of our people be our protector. He has proven he has good aim with his rifle and he knows the land of our ancestors better than most.”

  “Nah’ah, you must get someone else.”

  “But why?”

  “Because…because—”

  “Because I’m the reason she and Terry split.” Running Crane turned around in the pilot’s seat and stared back at Summer.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” She could now see the resemblance to the younger man she remembered.

  “Watch your language, young lady,” Nah’ah said.“Just so you know, I am the reason Terry and Summer broke up. She has a right to be angry with me.”

  “No, that isn’t the reason,” Nah’ah looked from Summer to Cameron Running Crane. “She and Terry stopped seeing each other because he didn’t want her to go to college. He wanted her to marry him and stay on the res. She left for school and he married that white girl, Peggy Baker.”

  Summer glared at him. “You really know how to fly this thing?”

  “Well, I hope so. We haven’t crashed yet so I guess I’m doing okay.”

  Nah’ah leaned forward and patted him on the shoulder. “Nato’sin is a member of the Smokejumpers, aren’t you? Why would you think you caused Niipo and Terry to break up?”

  “It was a long time ago, maybe it’s best left there.” Running Crane turned his back to them.

  “Tell me, Niipo. You know how I must know everything.”

  Summer laughed at her grandmother’s honesty. “Well, like Cameron said, it was such a long time ago. I was waiting for Terry to come meet me at a school dance. It was hot in the school auditorium so I went outside and leaned against a large cottonwood out back. I heard someone coming up behind me and I thought it was Terry, so I didn’t bother turning around. He came up and kissed the back of my neck, then my cheek, and then he swung me around and kissed me on the lips. I thought it was—”

  “No you didn’t think it was Terry. I saw you watching me dance with Sarah Dark Cloud and she did, too. She commented that you watched me a lot. She was certain you were more interested in me than with my brother.”

  “That’s crap, and you know it! I…never encouraged you.”

  “You knew I wasn’t Terry and you kissed me back with the kind of passion I haven’t experienced since.”

  Summer swallowed hard. “Imagine all you want. I thought you were Terry.”

  “I know, that’s your story and you’re sticking to it.”

  “My…my…this is most interesting,” Nah’ah giggled into her hand. “Maybe our campfires will allow for the truth to be told.”

  “I’ve already told the truth. It appears you haven’t changed much, Cameron. Still think you’re irresistible, don’t you?”

  “But neither of you are telling me how this broke-up Terry and Niipo,” Nah’ah prodded.

  Running Crane cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t you know it. Terry walked up and pulled us apart. He glared at Summer and spit at her feet. The real surprise came when he punched me in the jaw. Knocked me on my as…uh butt.”

  Summer noticed her grandmother had covered her mouth with her hand. She was either a
ppalled by Terry’s behavior or amused. “Now you know the whole story. Not exactly worth talking about.”

  “You never told me this. How strange.”

  “Not really. We were young and I was heading for college. Most high school sweetheart marriages don’t make it. They’re too young to be making such commitments. I’m glad I didn’t have to explain why I wasn’t willing to marry Terry.”

  Running Crane glanced back. “Now it makes sense. You were hoping I’d try to kiss you and you knew Terry was on his way and would see us. I feel used!”

  Nah’ah laughed. “Men rarely have a clue what is happening around them. Consider yourself lucky you got to kiss Niipo.” She laughed again.

  “Nah’ah, you’re not helping at all. How long before we—”

  “Well, strange you should ask. We’re at our destination, ladies. Hold onto anything solid, I’ve only landed this thing one other time by myself.”

  “What? Are you kidding? You picked a fine time to let us know—” Several jolting bumps sent Summer pressing back into her seat. She grabbed Nah’ah’s hands between her own. The rough ground sent them bouncing in their seats. Summer swallowed hard. They finally slowed, then stopped. She released a heavy sigh of relief.

  “Well, that was painless.” He shut down the engine while the blades slowed with each revolution.

  “Funny, Cameron.” Summer released her death grip from the chair arm and unhooked her seatbelt. She drew in a deep breath before reaching over and helping Nah’ah with her seatbelt.

  “Do you think you could manage to call me Nato’sin or Running Crane, like everyone else?”

  “I know a few other things I’d like to call you. Stop trying to push my buttons. I’m not impressed.” Summer waited for him to slide open the door. He extended his hand and ignoring his offer, she jumped to the ground and dropped to her knees. By the time she got up, Running Crane had assisted Nah’ah out of the chopper.

  Summer grabbed her bags and stomped up the trail. Looking up she stopped abruptly. Their tipis edged the grassy plateau overlooking St. Mary’s River. Like a painting they were tucked under green groves of balsam poplars and willow thickets. The sharp peak of Chief Mountain rose like a great pyramid. Both sides of the river were lined by masses of sweet-briar roses.”

  “It takes my breath away every time,” Nah’ah pointed to the Chief Mountains and said, “Our people believe Nin-as-tako is home to Ksiistsi-komm.”

  “The Chief Mountains are the home of thunder? How is that, Nah’ah?” Summer dropped her bags and turned toward her grandmother.

  “Legend says Thunder was jealous of a man and wanted his wife. He struck their tipi, knocked him unconscious and stole the woman. When the man recovered, he wandered all over, asking many animals to help him find his wife. All were afraid of the power of Thunder. Finally, Omahkai-stow agreed to help.”

  “Raven helped? My father often says Raven is cunning and has the power of giving people far sight,” Running Crane stood beside Summer.

  “And my father says Raven tells our people when game is near. He’d even call to the hunter and fly away, only to return and call again while flying toward the game. Like this information is of any use to us now, right?”

  “I like the old legends, Summer. Finish your story, Morning Star.” Running Crane scowled at Summer.

  “You may call me Nah’ah.”

  “Why should he call you grandmother?”

  “Because I will allow him to, Niipo. Now back to my story. Raven did help. He flew to Thunder’s home and challenged him. Thunder shot lightning bolts at Raven, trying to kill him. But he flapped his wings until he brought cold north winds and snow,” Nah’ah cleared her throat and continued. “It didn’t take long and the cold slowed Thunder until he was not able to strike his dangerous bolts of lightning at Raven. It was a long battle, but finally Thunder gave up and returned the man’s wife.”

  “What does that have to do with the Chief Mountains?” Summer asked.

  “Raven insisted that he and Thunder divide the year into two parts—winter, which is Raven’s season, and summer, which is Thunder’s time. Raven also ordered Thunder to make a peace treaty with man and to give our people his pipe as a sign of this agreement. From that day onward we have opened our Thunder Medicine Pipe Bundles each spring at the first sound of thunder. We ask for good weather, good crops and good luck for the coming year. Raven lives at a place now called Crowsnest Mountain and Thunder lives at Ninast’ako, or Chief Mountain.”

  “Thank you, Nah’ah. It always amazes me that every part of this land has a tale.”

  “They are not tales, Nato’sin, they are truths about our traditions and values. They include our struggles to hold tight our principles and beliefs even though we face ruthless change.”

  Summer shook her head and turned her gaze skyward. “I don’t know if you two have noticed those heavy clouds moving in, but it appears a heavy storm is gathering and we’d better get ourselves and bags to the tipis before everything gets wet…including us.”

  “I am not afraid of a little rain. But, we should be wary of Thunder. Walking across a flat valley during a storm is not a wise decision.” Running Crane grabbed Nah’ah’s bags as well as his.

  As they hurried across the uneven field, Summer marveled how her eighty-year-old grandmother kept pace.

  “Look, Niipo, see the beautiful dark blue flower of the camass and the violet blue of the western virgin’s bower. Oh, it has been so long since I’ve seen the yellow of wild parsley.”

  “You’re loving this, aren’t you Nah’ah?”

  “My time on Mother Earth is getting shorter and shorter. I am happy because you are here with me. I am fulfilling my duty as your grandmother. You must unpack our things while I take a short nap.

  “I’m happy to be here with you, too.” She drew in the fresh mountain air.

  Nah’ah turned around. “Nato’sin, you must kill us an antelope or deer. I will show Niipo how to cook a fine stew and how to make a soft, white dress and matching moccasins with bone awls and sinew. We will design from old Blackfeet patterns using glass beads, metal ornaments, and even elk’s teeth.”

  Summer’s arms ached from carrying the heavy bags. “Why don’t we just relax? We won’t have time to make all that in one week. I’ve seen your beadwork, Nah’ah, and it’s beautiful. There’s no way I’ll be able to do that. I’d rather sleep in and enjoy the scenery.”

  “One week? Is that what your father told you?” Running Crane laughed.

  Summer glanced back almost forgetting he was there. He easily carried two large bags in each hand. “I’m not too sure where I heard a week. Maybe I just guessed it since that’s how long we usually spend at the powwow gatherings. You’re saying it’s longer than a week? Nah’ah, please tell me he’s joking.”

  “Well, dear, I never thought about it much. I must follow the path my grandmother shared with me. There is no way to place a time on what we must do. It will take as long as it will take.”

  “You’re speaking in riddles. How long did it take your grandmother to share what her grandmother taught her? Just give me an idea how long we’ll be away from civilization.” They approached the first tipi and Summer dropped her bags on the ground. Her arms burned from the labor.

  “I spent my entire summer with my grandmother.”

  “You’re saying we could be living here for three or four months? I don’t think so! I can’t imagine anything more…ridiculous than that. We can’t go back to the days of our ancestors, Nah’ah. There’s no purpose to stepping back hundreds of years. This is so not going to happen.”

  “Well, we really don’t have much choice,” Running Crane said.

  “Meaning?” She glared at him.

  “Well, I wasn’t really going to say anything this soon…I mean…we weren’t planning on leaving for several months. I knew I’d have had to tell you sooner or later…but later would have suited me just fine.”

  “Ugh! Would you just tell us already?”
Summer rubbed her forehead, surprised this was the first time it hurt since leaving Browning.

  “While landing…umm…a tree branch perforated the fuel tank on the chopper. I’d radio for a maintenance crew to drop in and fix it…but it seems we don’t have service out here. I never considered us being out of radio range.”

  “You’re saying you broke the chopper? We’re stuck out here until someone back in civilization realizes we should have returned…and then they’ll come checking on us? I hate my life.”

  “It’s not so bad, Niipo. I asked your father to send a supply drop here around the first of August. So you see, we won’t be so abandoned after all.” Nah’ah entered the tipi.

  “That’s two months from now. Two months! Could this get any worse? I agreed to spend the summer taking care of you. No one told me we’d be out here without even a flushing toilet. Don’t you think I had the right to know?”

  “Summer, show your grandmother some respect. She’s doing what she feels is her duty. Your words are cold and cutting. If I had a grandmother such as yours, I’d be so grateful.”

  Summer rolled her eyes and turned, facing him. “I didn’t ask for your opinion. Just because I don’t want to live in a tipi all summer doesn’t mean I don’t love and respect my grandmother. I do. Why don’t you go shoot a deer? I hate the taste of antelope.”

  Grabbing a bag in each hand, Summer entered the tipi and stopped just inside. She dropped the bags and sat. The beauty and simplicity of Nah’ah’s tipi remained impressive. As always straight in the back from the doorway a medicine bundle hung in a place of honor. Grandmother would sleep on her bed to the right of center. At the end of her mattress leaned a backrest made of willow branches lashed together with cotton cord and edged with woolen fabric on a tripod. To the right of her bed a large parflech with a bear cub, Nah’ah’s sacred animal helper, beaded on the front flap. This was like a thin, square suitcase for her personal clothing and valuables.

  Glancing to the left, Summer noticed the same setup for herself. The parflech next to her mattress revealed a skillfully beaded meadowlark, her sacred helper…if she believed in such a thing.