The Medicine Boy
by
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The days were getting shorter and the air was growing colder. The leaves on the trees along the river were changing into bright gold and brilliant reds. The dazzling sunlight danced on the ripples in the river, while the red and gold leaves reflected on the clear cold water. These were the signs that winter was coming, and it was time for a group of men from the village to gather up their bows and arrows. The men had to go and hunt for food that the people of the village would eat during the winter. They would begin their journey after a prayer for a safe and successful hunt. Kichi-makwa was chosen to be the leader of the hunting party. A week passed quickly, and the hunting party wasn't expected to return for another week. However, Ningabi ani-noodin was having a bad dream as he slept and hoped that his father would return early. One night, Ningabi ani-noodin was in the wigwam with his mother. He was sitting on a hand-woven mat on the floor listening to his mother sing a song about the birds while sorting berries she had gathered earlier in the day. She always had her hair in two long black braids that were wrapped in white rabbit fur. She also wore a beaded necklace with the design of a beaver that once belonged to her grandmother. This signified that she was a member of the beaver clan. Osawi-bineshi was tall and thin, but she could get really tough when she had to. Ningabi ani-noodin still remembers five years ago when his mother took him to the river to get water and a big black bear came wandering down along the edge of the river. The bear became curious when he saw little Ningabi ani-noodin playing on the grassy riverbank, but didn't see Osawi-bineshi kneeling at the river's edge. When she turned and saw the bear near Ningabi ani-noodin, she began shouting and throwing rocks at it. Then, she poked and beat the bear with a big stick that she had picked up off the ground. That poor old bear had to quickly decide whether to run or fight. Well, he chose to run into the forest and not look back. Suddenly, the boy's thoughts were interrupted by his mother's voice telling him to get ready for bed. The thought of going to bed terrified Ningabi ani-noodin. Because, he was sure that the bad dream he was having was waiting for him when he would go to bed at night. So, he decided that he wasn't going to sleep that night. "I'm not going to sleep tonight!" Ningabi ani-noodin exclaimed as he sat on the hand-woven mat facing his mother. "You must sleep sometime or you will become tired and weak," his mother explained to him.
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About the Book
The Medicine Boy
The story begins by describing the area of Michigan’s Upper peninsular prior to the arrival of Europeans. It goes on to tell about a young Native American boy named Ningabi ani-noodin and his best friend named Gi wedin. Together, these two friends share the joys and sorrows of becoming young adults.
The medicine boy has to understand more about a gift he has and the importance it has on the people of his village. The lessons that the medicine boy must learn become more complicated when he falls in love with a girl who is the daughter of the chief. At first, the medicine boy keeps his feelings to himself. However, with some encouragement from his best friend, he confronts the girl about his feelings.
In the meantime, the medicine boy is attempting to deal with his special gift to see visions. The visions are messages from the spirit world that help him discover the importance of the dreamcatcher and the medicine wheel. This gift also allows him to find his position in the tribal structure and in life itself.
About the Author
My father was Native American, and this has given me the opportunity to meet people that knew Native American history and/or Native American religion. My father, grandfather, and an aunt (all now deceased) told me stories throughout my life concerning the Ottawa Indians. These stories inspired me later in life to learn more about my heritage. Then, I discovered a desire to learn about the cultures of other Native American tribes. And, it is now that I wish to share that information in my stories. I was a member of the Northern Michigan Ottawa Association as a child growing up. More recently, I was a member of the Oceana County Inter-tribal Council and lived on the reservation in Oceana County belonging to the Grand River Band of Ottawas. Currently, I am a member of The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians (a Federally Recognized Tribe) in Manistee, Michigan and live on the reservation there.