A New Bow For Tani..... A Cherokee Legend

In those far-off days, before Glooscap, the mighty Magician, set sail in his stone canoe for the Land of the Red Sunrise, there were Fairies and Elves living in the green forests of the Wabanaki. Very wonderful was the music they made on magic flutes of reed, and with their melody they could charm men and beasts.

When these Fairies were pleased with an Indian brave they gave him a magic flute. And if they grew to love him, they made him a Fairy like themselves, and called him a Mikumwess.

Now, in those far-off days there dwelt two youths in a village of the Wabanaki. One, whose name was Little Thunder, was full of laughter and song, and wished greatly to meet the Fairies and be made a Mikumwess.

The other youth, who was called the Badger, loved Brown Fawn, the beautiful daughter of a great Chief. The Badger wished to have her for his wife, but he heard that her father was a cruel man, and set such difficult tasks for his daughter's suitors, that they all perished in attempting them.

One day a Loon came to the village of the Wabanaki where dwelt these two young men. It was Glooscap messenger, and it said that the mighty Magician had promised to grant one wish to each Indian youth who would seek his magic lodge.

When Little Thunder and the Badger heard this, they decked themselves with their choicest feathers, and, armed with strong bows and arrows, they set out along the trail that led to Glooscap lodge.
Dangerous was this trail, and filled with terrors, but the two hastened bravely on, overcoming all in their way.

For seven years they traveled, until at last they reached the lodge. Glooscap, smiling, welcomed them, and Martin the Fairy set food and drink before them. Then Glooscap asked what they most desired.

"Make me a Mikumwess," said Little Thunder, "then I may help my brother the Badger to win his bride."

"All I desire is to win Brown Fawn for my wife," replied the Badger, "for I am lonely in my lodge."
Then Glooscap smiled again, and he wove a magic hair-string in Little Thunder's locks, and the young man became a Mikumwess endowed with Fairy power. After this Glooscap gave him a magic flute of reed so that he might charm all living things.

But to the Badger, Glooscap, said: "The maiden is yours to win with the aid of this Mikumwess. Enter my stone canoe, and sail over the seas, to the lodge of her father. Only return the canoe to me when your adventure is over, for never before did I lend it to any man."

Then Glooscap took the two youths to the seashore, and pointed to a small island of granite against which the foaming waves were beating. It was covered with high Pines around whose tops flew many white Gulls. "There is my canoe," said he. "Swim thither and enter it."

So the two young men threw themselves into the water, and swam out to the island. As soon as they stepped on its rocks, the island turned into a large stone canoe, and the Pine Trees became high masts.

Rejoicing, the Mikumwess and the Badger sailed away across the seas. They sailed for many days until at last they reached the land where was the village of the cruel Chief.

They drew the stone canoe up on the beach, and hid it under some bushes. Then they entered the village and sought the lodge of the Chief. He welcomed them gravely, and placed them in the seat of honor. After which he asked them what was their errand.

The Mikumwess answered: "This, my brother the Badger, is tired of living alone. Give him Brown Fawn to follow him to his lodge."

"Brown Fawn may go with him," answered the Chief courteously, "if tomorrow he brings me the head of the Yellow Horned Serpent that dwells in the great cave by the sea."
To this the young men agreed, and were given a lodge to sleep in.

When the night was very dark, the Mikumwess arose, and, leaving the Badger asleep, went alone to the great cave by the sea. Across its entrance he laid a log, and then began to dance a magic dance before it, playing on his Fairy flute.

When the Yellow Horned Serpent heard the strange music, he was charmed, and came creeping out, waving his head from side to side. Then he rested his head on the log, and the Mikumwess quickly cut it off with his hatchet.

Taking the head by one of its shiny yellow horns, he carried it to the Badger. And when morning was come, the two bore the head and laid it before the Chief.

And when the old man saw it, he was astonished and thought to himself, "I fear I shall lose my child!"

But he said to the Badger, "Young man, if you wish to win your wife, you must coast down yonder hill with two of my bravest warriors."

Now, the hill was really a very high mountain, its sides jagged with broken rocks and terrible with tree-roots and ice. Two sleds were brought and taken to the top of the mountain; and the Mikumwess and the Badger were placed upon one, and on the other were seated two powerful Magicians. At a word from the Chief the two sleds were sent flying down the mountain-side. Faster and faster they flew as if to death.

Soon the Badger went whirling from his sled and fell on the ice, and the Magicians shouted with delight; but they did not know that the Mikumwess had done this so that he might get the Magicians' sled in front of him.

The Mikumwess turned aside, and, putting out his hand, drew the Badger on the sled, and as he did so, the Magicians shot by, mocking loudly. Then the Mikumwess's sled suddenly bounded into the air and flew over the heads of the Magicians, nor did it stop at the foot of the mountain, but sped up the hill opposite and struck the side of the Chief's lodge, ripping it from end to end.

And when the old man saw this, he thought to himself, "This time I feel sure I shall lose my child!"
But he said to the Badger: "There is a man in this village who has never been beaten at running. You must overcome him, if you wish to win your wife."

To this the young men agreed, and went to the place where the race was to start. And the Mikumwess lent his magic flute to the Badger to give him Fairy power.

And when the racer from the village came, the Badger asked him, "Who are you?"
And the racer answered, "I am the Northern Lights."
"And I," said the Badger, "am the Chain Lightning."
And they ran.

In an instant they were no longer to be seen, but were beyond the distant hills. And the Chief, with the Mikumwess and all the people, sat and waited till noon, when Chain Lightning, who was the Badger, returned. He was not out of breath, nor weary, though he had run all around the world.

But Northern Lights came not. When evening drew near they saw him come quivering and panting with fatigue, yet for all that he had not been around the world, but had been forced to turn back.

And when the old man saw that Chain Lightning had won, he thought to himself, "Alas! This time I have surely lost my child!"

But he said to the Badger, "To win your wife, young man, you must overcome a great warrior who swims and dives so excellently that no one has ever equaled him."

To this the young men agreed, and the next morning they went to the seashore, where the test was to be. The Mikumwess again lent the Badger his fairy flute.

And when the diver from the village came, the Badger asked him, "Who are you?"
And the diver replied, "I am the Sea Duck."
"And I," said the Badger, "am the Loon."
So they dived.

And after a short time the Sea Duck rose for breath; but the people who sat there, with the Chief and the Mikumwess, had long to wait for the Loon. Hour after hour passed, but he came not. At last he rose to the surface, and was not out of breath.

And when the old man saw this he groaned and said, "Oh, Badger, I have lost my child!"
Then the wedding-feast was prepared, and the Chief brought Brown Fawn from the lodge and gave her to the Badger. And in the evening the feast was held and a great dance; and the Mikumwess astonished all who saw him, for he danced a deep trench in the ground around the lodge.

And when the morning was come the Mikumwess, together with the Badger and Brown Fawn, entered the stone canoe, and set sail for the country of the Wabanaki. And when they reached the shore they found Glooscap, the mighty Magician, waiting for them.

And, smiling, he said to the Mikumwess, "Go your way in the forest and join the band of Fairies, and be always happy with your magic flute."

Then to the Badger he said: "Welcome once more to the Land of the Children of Light. Take your wife, Brown Fawn, and return to your lodge. Plenty of game shall always be yours, and peace and contentment."

Then the Mikumwess disappeared in the forest; and the Badger, leading Brown Fawn, returned to his lodge in the village of the Wabanaki.

Friends Of Nature

We are all apart of nature so I decided to post some pictures of nature scenes. I hope you enjoy them.

 

 

 

First Nations Stories

One First Nations story is also about the eagle feather:

In the beginning, the Great Spirit above gave to the animals and birds wisdom and knowledge and the power to talk to men. He sent these creatures to tell man that he showed himself through them. They would teach a chosen man sacred songs and dance, as well as much ritual and lore.

The creature most loved by the Great Spirit was the eagle, for he tells the story of life. The Eagle, as you know, has only two eggs, and all living things in the world are divided into two. Here is man and woman, male and female and this is true with animals, birds, trees, flowers and so on. All things have children of two kinds so that life may continue. Man has two eyes, two hands, two feet and he has a body and soul, substance and shadow.

Through his eyes, he sees pleasant and unpleasant scenes, through his nostrils he smells good and bad odors, with his ears he hears joyful news and words that make him sad. His mind is divided between good and evil. His right hand he may often use for evil, such as war or striking a person in anger. But his left hand, which is near his heart, is always full of kindness. His right foot may lead him in the wrong path, but his left foot always leads him the right way, and so it goes; he has daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death.

In order to remember this lesson of life, look to the great eagle, the favorite bird of the Great Spirit. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, part light, and part dark. This represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death. So that you may remember what I have told you, look well on the eagle, for his feathers, too, tell the story of life.

Look at the feathers I wear upon my hand, the one on the right is large and perfect and is decorated; this represents man. The one on my left is small and plain; this represents woman. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, dark and white. This represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter.

For the white tells of summer, when all is bright and the dark represents the dark days of winter.
My children, remember what I tell you. For it is YOU who will choose the path in life you will follow — the good way, or the wrong way.

Another First Nations teaching:

When the world was new, the Creator made all the birds. He colored their feathers like a bouquet of flowers. The Creator then gave each a distinct song to sing. The Creator instructed the birds to greet each new day with a chorus of their songs. Of all the birds, our Creator chose the Eagle to be the leader. The Eagle flies the highest and sees the furthest of all creatures. The Eagle is a messenger to the Creator. To wear or to hold the Eagle Feather causes our Creator to take immediate notice. With the Eagle Feather the Creator is honored in the highest.

When one receives an Eagle Feather that person is being acknowledged with gratitude, with love, and with ultimate respect.

That feather must have sacred tobacco burnt for it. In this way the Eagle and the Creator are notified of the name of the new Eagle Feather Holder. The holder of the Eagle Feather must ensure that anything that changes the natural state of ones mind (such as alcohol and drugs) must never come in contact with the sacred Eagle Feather. The keeper of the feather will make a little home where the feather will be kept. The Eagle feather must be fed. You feed the Eagle Feather by holding or wearing the feather at sacred ceremonies. By doing this the Eagle Feather is recharged with sacred energy.
Never abuse, never disrespect, and never contaminate your Eagle Feather.

Wise Owl

A Woodland Indian Myth    

 

There is an old saying, "wise as an owl".  People are always saying that, but the truth is, owls were not always wise. 

 

Once upon a time, a long time ago, the Everything-Maker was very busy, making all the animals and all the plants and all the rocks and caverns and everything else that covered the earth. 

 

Owl had not yet been made. He had been given a voice.

 

And two eyes. And a head and a body and strong wings. Owl was waiting his turn to be formed. "I want a long neck like Swan," Owl told the Everything-Maker. "I want red feathers like Cardinal and a beak like Hawk."   

 

"Yes, yes," mumbled the Everything-Maker. "Whatever you want. But you must wait your turn." The Everything-Maker looked sharply at Owl. "Your eyes are open again.

 

You know that no one is allowed to watch me work. Turn around and close your eyes. I have no time for you now. I am busy creating Rabbit."  

 

The Everything-Maker turned his attention back to Rabbit who was shaking with nervousness. "And what do you want, little rabbit?" the Everything-Maker asked encouragingly.

 

"Long legs and ears," Rabbit spoke softly. "And fangs. Could I possibly have a fang or two? And claws. I would dearly love to have claws!" 

 

The Everything-Maker smiled. "I think we could manage some claws and fangs." He smoothed Rabbit's long legs and ears. 

 

"Silly Rabbit!" Owl hooted loudly. "Why don't you ask for something useful, like wisdom?"  

 

"This is your last warning, Owl. Be quiet and wait your turn."

 

Owl twisted around and glared at the Everything-Maker.

 

"You have to do it," he hooted. "You have to give us what we ask. I demand wisdom!" 

 

"I warned you, Owl!" shouted the Everything-Maker. He shoved Owl's head down into his body, which made Owl's neck disappear. He gave Owl a shake, which made Owl's eyes widen in fright. He pulled Owl's ears until they stuck out from his head. 

 

The Everything-Maker snapped his fingers. "I have made your ears big, the better to listen. I have made your eyes big, the better to see.  I have made your neck short, the better to hold up your head.  I have packed your head with wisdom, as you have asked. Now, use your wisdom and fly away before you lose what I have given." 

 

Owl was no longer a fool. He flew quickly away, pouting and hooting. 

 

The Everything-Maker turned back to Rabbit, smiling gently. "Claws," he reminded himself. But Rabbit was gone. Rabbit had hopped hurriedly away, too afraid of the Everything-Maker to stay for his fangs and claws.

 

The Everything-Maker smiled. "I think we could manage some claws and fangs." He smoothed Rabbit's long legs and ears. 

"Silly Rabbit!" Owl hooted loudly. "Why don't you ask for something useful, like wisdom?"  

 

"This is your last warning, Owl. Be quiet and wait your turn."

Owl twisted around and glared at the Everything-Maker. "You have to do it," he hooted. "You have to give us what we ask. I demand wisdom!" 

 

"I warned you, Owl!" shouted the Everything-Maker. He shoved Owl's head down into his body, which made Owl's neck disappear.

 

He gave Owl a shake, which made Owl's eyes widen in fright. He pulled Owl's ears until they stuck out from his head. 

 

The Everything-Maker snapped his fingers. "I have made your ears big, the better to listen. I have made your eyes big, the better to see.  I have made your neck short, the better to hold up your head. 

 

I have packed your head with wisdom, as you have asked. Now, use your wisdom and fly away before you lose what I have given." 

Owl was no longer a fool. He flew quickly away, pouting and hooting. 

 

The Everything-Maker turned back to Rabbit, smiling gently. "Claws," he reminded himself. But Rabbit was gone. Rabbit had hopped hurriedly away, too afraid of the Everything-Maker to stay for his fangs and claws.

 

As for Owl, Owl knew if he angered the Everything-Maker again, he would lose all that he had gained. Even today, Owl only comes out at night, when the Everything-Maker is fast asleep. As for Rabbit, his claws and fangs are waiting. Perhaps someday ... 

 

 

 

 

Native Moon Names:

Historically, the Native Americans who lived in the area that is now the
northern and eastern United States kept track of the seasons by giving
distinctive names to the recurring full Moons.

Each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it
occurred.

These names, and some variations, were used by the Algonquin tribes from
New England to Lake Superior.

The Native American names below are linked to the months in the Gregorian
calendar to which they are most closely associated.

 Full Wolf Moon

January is the month of the Full Wolf Moon. It appeared when wolves howled
in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some
Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name
to the next full Moon, in February.

This full Moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages.
It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was
the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full Moon, in February.
                 
Full Snow Moon

Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Hunting becomes very difficult,
and hence to some Native American tribes this was the Hunger Moon.
February's full Moon is traditionally called the Full Snow Moon because
usually the heaviest snows fall in February.

Hunting becomes very difficult, and so some Native American tribes called
this the Hunger Moon.

Other Native American tribes called this Moon the "Shoulder to Shoulder
Around the Fire Moon" (Wishram Native Americans), the "No Snow in the Trails
Moon" (Zuni Native Americans), and the "Bone Moon"
(Cherokee Native Americans). The Bone Moon meant that there was so little
food that people gnawed on bones and ate bone marrow soup.

March    Full Worm Moon
At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm
casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This is also known as the Sap
Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual
tapping of maple trees begins.

The Full Worm Moon was given its name by the Algonquin tribes from New
England to Lake Superior.

At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm
casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. In some regions, this is
also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to
flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.
April Moon      Full Pink Moon
This full Moon heralded the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground
phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting
Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.

May Moon   Full Flower Moon

Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. Some Algonquin tribes knew
this full Moon as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.

May's Full Flower Moon, also called Mother's Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn
Planting Moon, marks a time of increasing fertility with temperatures warm
enough for safely bearing young, a near end to late frosts, and plants in
bloom.

June Moon

Full Strawberry Moon 
The Algonquin tribes knew this Moon as a time to gather ripening
strawberries. It is also known as the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.

Full Moon Names
The month of June's full Moon's name is the Full Strawberry Moon. June's
Full Strawberry Moon got its name because the Algonquin tribes knew it as a
signal to gather ripening fruit.

It was often known as the Full Rose Moon in Europe (where
July Full Buck Moon 
Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This full Moon was also known
as the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.

July is the month of the Full Buck Moon.

Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This full Moon was also known
as the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.

August Full Sturgeon Moon 

 Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and
Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called
it the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon.

Full Moon Names
August is the month of the Full Sturgeon Moon. Some Native American tribes
knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most
readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon
or the Grain Moon.

September Full Corn Moon 
This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It is also
called the Barley Moon, because it is the time to harvest and thresh the
ripened barley. The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the autumnal
equinox, which can occur in September or October and is bright enough to
allow finishing all the harvest chores.

The Full Corn Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It is also
called the Barley Moon, because it is the time to harvest and thresh the
ripened barley.

This month, we also celebrate what we call a Harvest Moon, which is the full
 Moon nearest the autumnal equinox. It can occur in September or October and
is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.

The Full Harvest Moon is different than all our other full Moons. Around
this date, the Moon rises at almost the same time for a number of nights in
our northern latitudes.
October Full Hunter's Moon 

This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened.
Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the
long winter ahead. October's Moon is also known as the Travel Moon and the
Dying Moon.

This was the time to hunt in preparation for winter. This full Moon is also
called the Travel Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.
November Full Beaver Moon 

For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set
beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.
This full Moon was also called the Frost Moon.

November's full Moon was called the Beaver Moon because it was the time to
set traps, before the waters froze over. This Moon was also called the Full
Frost Moon.
December Full Cold Moon 
This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights
become long and dark. This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by
some Native American tribes.

Full Moon Names
December's Full Moon is called the Full Cold Moon. It is the month when the
winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark.

This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American
tribes.

Sacred Spirit Music Videos . Please watch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slavery, disease, death: the dark side of the Christopher Columbus story

 

                                      Christopher Columbus arrives in the New World.

On Monday, the United States will observe Columbus Day, schools and banks closing and parades marching in honor of the man who, as we all learned in school, discovered America in 1492.
And according to The Oatmeal’s Matthew Inman, Columbus Day is a dangerous farce.
Inman contends in his current strip on The Oatmeal, a humor/political commentary website, that the legends we believe about Columbus are not only misleading but grossly unfair. He cites primary sources and journals recounted in Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States” and James Lowewen’s “Lies My Teacher Told Me” to dispel the traditional narrative of Columbus as brave traveler who connected the Old World and the New.

Here are a few of The Oatmeal’s conclusions about Christopher Columbus:

• In 1492, no one actually thought the earth was flat. “Pretty much anyone with an education knew the earth was round. The Greeks had proved it 2,000 years before Columbus was born.”

• Columbus didn’t actually “discover” the New World. Not only were there natives living in the Americas for 14,000 years, Leif Ericson found the same territory 500 years before Columbus.

• Columbus wanted gold, and lots of it. His initial ideas for a new trade route to Asia fell by the wayside as he realized how much gold was available in the New World.

• The natives would provide little resistance. According to his own journal, Columbus believed the indigenous Lucayans would not be a significant challenge. “I could conquer the whole of them with fifty men,” he wrote, “and govern them as I pleased.”

• For his second visit, Columbus armed for war. When Columbus returned to the New World, he brought 17 ships and 1,500 men.

• Columbus treated the natives brutally. Columbus demanded treasure, food and sex for his men, and when the Lucayans refused, he ordered their noses and ears cut off to serve as a warning.

• Columbus treated his conquered people harshly. When the Lucayans rebelled, Columbus crushed the rebellion and carted off 500 Lucayans to be sold into slavery in Europe.

• Columbus disrupted the entire economy of three continents. Post-Columbian disease and starvation killed three to five million people over the next fifty years. And the influx of gold disrupted the global economy to the point that African slaves became a dominant commodity.

Via The Oatmeal

 

In short, The Oatmeal contends, Columbus “discovered the New World much like a meteorite discovered the dinosaurs,” and yet is still honored with a federal holiday. Making the point impossible to miss: “The father of the transatlantic slave trade is honored on the same level as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.”

As a replacement, The Oatmeal suggests Bartolome de los Casas, a wealthy plantation owner who sold off his holdings, freed his slaves, turned to the priesthood, and fought for the dignity of native Americans.

In other words, The Oatmeal suggests, Columbus Day might be worth celebrating if it were named for someone else.

 

Kids Videos And Fun Facts

Within traditional Native American cultures the drum was the primary musical instrument. Even today, if you visit a powwow or other event hosted in a traditional Native American setting, drumming will be prominent in the festivities. While the drum was important throughout nearly all Native American tribes, how it was made, how it was played and the function of the drum varied from one society to another. Within some societies, the beat of the drum represented the heartbeat of the earth and of the people and playing the drum brought the world back into balance. When the drum first became a part of Native American societies is not known, but the drum as a part of ritual, ceremony and daily life was an integral part of traditional Native American culture.

 

 

What were Algonquin homes like in the past

 

 

 

Nearly every Native American tribe had its own distinctive style of dress and the people could often tell each tribe by looking at their clothes, headdresses and ornamentation. The commonly shared pieces of attire however, were; breechcloths, leather leggings, a short kilt or fur trousers, buckskin shirts, skirts and leggings for women, one piece dresses, moccasins for their feet and others.

 

 

 

Wigwam in Ontario

The Algonquins didn't live in tepees. For most of the year they lived in settled villages of birchbark houses, called waginogans or wigwams. During the winter, the village split up to go to hunting camps, and each Algonquin family built a smaller cone-shaped wigwam like this for their camp, also made from birch bark.

 

 

 

 

 

What was Algonquin food like in the days before supermarkets? 

The Algonquins were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. That means they didn't do much farming, and moved around a lot as they collected food for their families. Besides fish and meat, the Algonquins gathered berries and wild plants to eat. They also traded with neighboring tribes to get corn, and made maple syrup from tree sap.

 

 

 

Algonquin words: animosh	pejòshkwe	pijakì
mahìngan	makwa	pijiw
esiban	mikiziw	mikinàk
wàbòz

 

 

 

 

 

Toboggan

Toboggan comes from the Algonquian word odabaggan. The toboggan is an invention of the Eastern First Peoples. Indian hunters first built toboggans made of bark to carry game over the snow. The Inuit (sometimes called Eskimos) used to make toboggans of whalebone, otherwise a toboggan is made of strips of hickory, ash, or maple, with the front ends curved back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moccasins

Moccasins originated with the Eastern North American tribes, traditionally referred to a shoe with a puckered u-shaped 'vamp' over the instep. The name of the Great Lakes Ojibway tribe means 'people of the puckered moccasin'. The southern New England Narragansett word for shoe is 'Mocussinass' or 'Mockussinchass'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A totem can be the symbol of a tribe, clan, family or individual. Native American tradition provides that each individual is connected with nine different animals that will accompany each person through life, acting as guides. Different animal guides come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sky Girl.. An Algonquin Legend

The Sky girl legend from the Algon wuin people says that a long time ago, There used to live a great hunter, his name was Algon, in one of his regular walks to the prairie, he found a strange circle in the grass. He decided to hide on some bushes to watch and find out what was the cause of it.

After some time he saw a big willow basket with twelve maidens came down from the sky. The maidens got out and started to sing and dance. But Algon was captivated by the beauty of the youngest. He then ran towards them, in hope to steal the girl away, but when they saw him, got into the basket, which flew back to the sky.

Algon tried to do this three more times, and three times he failed. Then he came up with a plan: He put a hollow tree trunk in which a family of mice lived near the circle, then using some charms from his medicine charm transformed himself into a mouse. When the basket arrived, Algon and the other mice ran among the girls.

The girls stomped in all the mice killing them, but not on Algon, who became human again and carried off the girl. He took her to the village, and after a while she felt in love with him, having a son together, but their happiness did not last forever.

The sky girl became home sick, spending all day just looking at the sky thinking about her family, and finally she could not stand it. So she built a willow basket and taking her son and some presents for her people, she left to the sky, staying there many years.

Algon was very sad for his family, and for the next years he used to sit on the magic circle, waiting for them. In the mean time in the sky country, Algon's son grew to be a handsome man, and every day asked his mother about his father. For all these questions, the sky girl started to miss Algon really bad. One day she and her son spoke to the chief of the sky people.

He agreed to let them go back to Earth, but only if they return with Alegon, and an identifying feature of each animal that lived on earth.

Algon was so happy when he saw his family coming back, and as soon the sky girl told him about what the sky chief wanted, he did not wasted time and started to gather the gifts, some of them were:

• A claw from a bear.
• A feather from a falcon, a hawk and an eagle.
• The teeth from a raccoon.
• From the deer, its horn.

He put all the items inside of his medicine bag and with his family, went up to the sky-country.

There, Algon gave all of the gifts to the chief, who divided them among his people, and Algon and the sky girl, they both took the falcon feather. Looking the love between them, the chief said they should always be free to travel between sky and land.

Then he turned them both into falcons. Even on these days, their descendants are falcons, who fly high and low on the forests.