Remnants of a Shattered Past

Traditional Ojibwe Village During the 1300s

“You are getting heavy. Let’s sit a bit over on that hill while I catch my breath.”

Eagle gracefully landed on a large rock near the top of the hill. While perched on the rock, they begin observing an Ojibwe village. The Creator requested they learn about the customs, beliefs and values by observing and participating in the daily activities of an Ojibwe tribe. The villagers were settling down for their midday meal. An elder gives thanks for the meal they were about to eat and for everybody’s hard work during the morning hours.

“You know, Coyote I am looking forward to observing the people at this village. I’m glad the Creator sent us on this mission,” said Eagle.

“Remember the tribe we visited in the southern part of western hemisphere? They built those elaborate canals and had these raised farmlands,” recalled Coyote.

“I do. And remember the pyramids of the Mayans and Aztecs?” asked Eagle.

“Those were amazing. Some of the tribal communities have been progressing for centuries,” stated Coyote.

Eagle and Coyote returned their focus to the Ojibwe villagers.

“One of the men prayed for the deer’s spirit and thanked him for providing his family with food after he shot the deer this morning with his bow and arrow,” said Eagle.

Eagle went on to explain information about the Ojibwe language. “He referred to the deer as wawahkeshi. The Creator told us, when he endowed us with the ability to understand and speak the Ojibwe language, it is a descriptive language like many other tribal languages.”

“Wawahkeshi represents gentleness and innocence. These animals serve as a reminder to the Indian people to establish a strong healthy connection with children before exposing them to additional people and other strange energies and instills a remembrance of the traditions, which are natural and suitable for family units,” Coyote added.

“The animal kingdom does provide the Indian people with a lot of meaningful values and guidance,” said Eagle.

“When I watch wawahkeshi run in the woods, they appear so graceful and peaceful,” replied Coyote.

“Yes, they do.”

“Let’s talk about that waboose (rabbit) who gave up his life for us yesterday. He was just running around playing with his brothers and sisters and here you swooped down and picked him up,” replied Coyote.

“I know he was tasty and all, but he did have a spirit,” implied Eagle as she mournfully thought about the rabbit.

“Even though the Creator made waboose one of the most common prey, they do have significant meaning for Indian people. The waboose represent to the Indian people fertility and new life,” said Eagle.

“Hey! You know we can pray for that waboose right now,” pleaded Coyote as he bent his head down preparing to pray, feeling a little guilty.

“Yes. Let’s pray for the spirit of the waboose and thank him for providing us with nourishment,” replied Eagle.

They used the words the hunter used and solemnly prayed for the waboose they dined on the day before. After they prayed, they curled up and took a short nap together.

As Coyote was wiping the sleep from his eyes, he noticed Eagle was smiling while she was sleeping.

That must be some dream she’s having.

Subconsciously feeling eyes watching her, Eagle slowly opened her eyes to find Coyote staring down at her.

“Listen, you silly fool, I don’t do that to you when you’re sleeping,” scowled Eagle as she sat up and starred back at Coyote.

“I’m sorry. Must have been some dream. Would you like to tell me about it?”

“No. It’s none of your business,” replied Eagle.

“Have it your way.”

“Okay. Have it your way. I miss my mate. I’ve been longing for him for a couple of weeks now,” exclaimed Eagle as she tried to hide the tears she was starting to shed.

“Why didn’t you just say so,” replied Coyote indignantly.

“I just did,” retorted Eagle.

“Let’s not waste anymore time. We have to continue observing these people,” stated Eagle as she tried to gain composure.

“Look at those children. One of them is playing with a bow and arrow. You see that boy over there?” asked Coyote.

“Yeah, I see him,” replied Eagle.

“Did you see how the girl handled the bow and arrow? She was giving a demonstration to that younger boy,” stated Coyote

“He caught on fast didn’t he,” replied Eagle

“Yes, he did.”

Women were pounding deer hides and hanging them on a long pole. Younger children were chasing each other. The older children were working alongside the adults copying what the adults were doing.

“What are they going to do with all those deer hides?” asked Coyote.

“I don’t know. We need to change into human forms, then go and find out more about this tribe and what they are up to,” said Coyote.

“I think you’re right,” replied Eagle.

“You think I’m right. What day is it? You never say I’m right,” exclaimed Coyote.

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” said Eagle, trying to hide her smile.

“Do you think we have all our strength back after the last shape shift episode?” asked Coyote.

“I think we’ll be okay,” stated Eagle.

“What’s going to be our story when we reach the village?” asked Eagle.

“I think we should be visitors from another village who speak the same language as they do,” replied Coyote.

“That could work,” responded Eagle.

“I don’t want you to spend most of your time trying to woo the women,” stated Eagle as she tapped her talons on the ground.

Ignoring Eagle’s comment, Coyote asked, “Are we going to be related, like sister and brother or something else? How can we explain that we’re not together if you know what I mean?”

“It sounds like you don’t want it to look like you have an attachment to me so you are available to the women,” stated Eagle.

“You don’t want to rob me of my fun do you,” asked Coyote as he stared at Eagle in a stern way.

“Okay, have it your way. We can be cousins from the same clan,” responded Eagle as she was trying not to let her frustration towards Coyote get the better of her.

“Thanks, Cousin.”

Shape shifting took a few minutes as they prepared their spirits and minds to adjust to their new identities. Coyote transformed into a handsome young man. He had long black hair tied back in a braid with an eagle feather held by sinew at the end of the braid. Sinew is a waxy thread made out of the intestines of animals. He sported a slim build with a muscular chest. Coyote’s dark brown eyes were dancing with an air of mischief and curiosity. His loin cloth was made from bear skin. He wore bear skin moccasins laced tightly to his feet by leather straps made of bear hide.

Eagle’s transformation took the form of a statuesque, beautiful young woman. Her dark brown eyes symbolized deep pools of sincerity and knowledge. She was of medium build and medium height. Her long black hair was tied in a braid with strips of leather dyed with the juice of blueberries, which turned the leather deep purple. These were used to tie the bottom of her braid in which an eagle feather was securely fastened. She wore a dress made of deer skin. Blue and red flowers were painted on the bottom of her dress. Her moccasins were trimmed with porcupine quills colored a deep purple and red. She walked with a confident stride.

Their eyes stared straight ahead as they contemplated their encounter while they walked down a trail, created by years of trampling feet, to the Ojibwe village.