Grey Eyes (32 page)

51
niyānanomitanaw piyakosāp

L
ittle Grey Bear Boy decided to take a longer way back to the village so he could clear his head and cool his anger.

Grandfather Sun was beginning to leave for the night, yet he did not want to go back to the Bear lodge and disrupt the harmony of his family. He found a large rock to sit upon and chase away his anger. He looked inside his satchel but could not find any sage. A good smudging would have been helpful. The first stars of the night sky began to appear on the horizon.

He thought about what had happened on the lakeshore, but was unsure about how to proceed. On the one hand he wanted to respect his elders and the decision of the Circle of Clan Mothers, but on the other hand he felt the Circle had made an error in entrusting his education to Red Sky Man. He did not want to make any decision without a pure heart.

As he was contemplating his problem, he felt a light tap on his left shoulder. He looked to his left but saw nothing that could have touched him. Then, feeling a warm nudge against the right side of his body, he looked over to see Water Lily Woman's bright grey eyes.

“
Tansi!
” she said playfully, sitting next to him on the rock.

“Oh, hello…” he said turning away, but it was too late—she had seen the look on his face.

“What's wrong?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing,” he said, trying to look content.

“It must be something.”

“I had a rough day, but I do not want to burden you with my troubles.”

“It would be no burden,” she pressed. “Maybe you just need someone to talk to.”

“Maybe you are right…What brings you out here?”

“I came to see my father.”

“Your father?” he asked looking around.

“Up there,” she said pointing at Father Sky.

“I do not understand.”

“I am waiting for the spirits to dance,” she explained.

“Oh!” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “How do you know the spirits are going to dance tonight?”

“I have a sense of these things,” she said. “I always know when my father is coming.”

“How did he pass? That is, if you don't mind talking about it…”

“I don't mind,” she answered. “I was very young when it happened. It was winter and he had killed a deer. He was a good hunter and provider for my mother and me.”

“He sounds like he was a good man.”

“He was.” She was in a sort of dream state as she spoke, half remembering, half imagining. “His hands must have become numb from the cold because he cut himself while skinning the deer.”

“Was it that bad?”

“Not at first. It healed over but then it began to swell and turn colour. He took a high fever and then he left us.” She looked at her feet and tapped them one after the other against the rock.

“I am sorry,” said Little Grey Bear Boy.

“Don't be,” she said perking up and meeting his gaze. “That is what brought me to
Nisichawayasihk
.”

“
Tapwe
?”

“
Tapwe
,” she answered. “If we had known more of the secrets of the plant world, we might have been able to save him. When we learned there was a medicine carrier who knew those secrets and the Grey-Eye magic, we came as soon as we were able.”

“Oh,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “That was wise. And how have your teachings been progressing?”

“Very well! I have learned so many new roots and plants and how to use them. Painted Turtle Man is a very good teacher.”

“
Tapwe
,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “I miss spending time with him…”

“I am sorry I separated you from your
moosum
…”

“It wasn't your fault, I don't blame you.”

Water Lily Woman looked into his eyes to be sure he meant what he said.

“I think it is important that others learn the secrets of the plant world,” he assured her. “In fact, you came at a good time.”

“Oh?”

“
Tapwe
. Painted Turtle Man had lost his medicine lodge as well as his proper place among the
Nehiyawak
. He was basically replaced by Red Sky Man as the village medicine carrier.”

“How could that have happened? He is knowledgeable and an excellent teacher.”

“I am not really sure, come to think of it,” frowned Little Grey Bear Boy. “When Red Sky Man came to
Nisichawayasihk
, the
Nehiyawak
began to think he was better than Painted Turtle Man.”

“Why would they do that?” she asked, “Why not have two medicine carriers?”

“I don't know,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “It seems the
Nehiyawak
always want to measure everyone against someone else.”

“I know what you mean,” laughed Water Lily Woman. “My sisters in the Turtle lodge are always talking about how well you use the Grey-Eye magic. They are always begging me to use it to help them with something.”

“I didn't know that.”

“
Tapwe
! It's true!”

“I don't know how to use the Grey-Eye magic. I don't know how I did the things I have done and I would not be able to do them again if someone asked me to.”

“Are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

“
Motch
,” said Little Grey Bear Boy. “I was jealous of how you were able to help Flying Rabbit Boy with his arrow.”

“I didn't do anything to that arrow,” she said. “Look!”

They looked up into the sky and saw the silvery green aurora beginning to flicker in the sky. The spirits of their ancestors were starting to dance.

“Do you want to meet my father?” asked Water Lily Woman.

“I would be honoured,” he answered.

Water Lily Woman produced a small hand drum made of deer hide and got to her feet. She cleared her throat and began to beat the drum. Little Grey Bear Boy could feel the familiar vibration of the Grey-Eye magic as she sang. Her voice seemed to travel—it emanated from all directions. As the aurora flickered, a dancer emerged, a young man of about twenty-five summers. He danced with a thin hoop, which he would roll out in front of himself and spin it to return. He passed his body through the hoop in all directions as though it was as much a part of him as his arms and legs. Soon, more hoops appeared and he incorporated them into his dance, using them and his body to form different shapes and animals.

She finished her song but the hoop dancer continued. Water Lily Woman sat back down on the rock next to Little Grey Bear Boy.

“That is my father,” she said through teary eyes.

“I am honoured to meet him,” he whispered.

She leaned against him and he felt her warm breath on his neck and chest.

“Is there no one to dance for you?” she asked.

“
Motch
,” he said softly, “I have not really known many who have passed on.”

“Then you are lucky,” she said as she placed her hand in his.

They watched the spirits dance together and Little Grey Bear Boy felt a flutter in his chest and warmth in his cheeks. His past troubles seemed very far behind him.

Eventually, the spirits stopped dancing and the aurora disbursed across the horizon. They sat together for a time, neither of them wishing to speak or move.

“We should return to the village…” he whispered.

“
Tapwe
…” she answered.

They stood up together and Little Grey Bear Boy started to pull away. Water Lily Woman squeezed his hand and looked into his eyes, pleading him not to let go. He smiled at her and nodded gently. They began to walk back to the village, hand in hand, and Little Grey Bear Boy felt as though he were floating on a cloud. He looked down at his feet and realized he was, in fact, drifting just above the ground in much the same way Soaring Star Woman had so many years ago.

As they neared the village, Water Lily Woman stopped and they landed gently upon the earth.

“I am glad we were able to spend this time together,” she said looking up into his eyes. “But I talked to my Turtle sisters about what you said. They explained what the
Nehiyawak
think about what would happen if two Grey-Eyes fell in love…”

“I see.”

“I want you to know I do not believe this taboo,” she added quickly. “But I am concerned about what the others would do if they knew I liked you…”

“You like me?”

She gave no answer—only smiled at Little Grey Bear Boy. She had spoken what was in her heart before she had even realized it fully for herself. Water Lily Woman stepped closer to Little Grey Bear Boy until he could feel her body pressed up against his. His heart was pounding as their noses touched and he could feel her soft breath on his face. Their lips met. For a moment, everything around him evaporated and the only thing in his world was the woman in front of him. As their lips finally parted, the world around him re-materialized. The trees and moss had suddenly grown lusher and greener.

“Good night, Little Grey Bear Boy of the Bear clan,” she said with a smile.

“Good night, Water Lily Woman…”

As she walked away, she turned back briefly and smiled. She entered the village and went quickly to the Turtle lodge. Little Grey Bear Boy was like a tree, rooted to the spot, still not sure that what had just happened was real. A mosquito landed on his neck and he let it taste his blood. At least now he knew he wasn't dreaming…

52
niyānanomitanaw nīsosāp

L
ittle Grey Bear Boy entered the Bear lodge and stood in the doorway. Most of the family did not even look up from their evening meal.

“Where have you been?” asked White Willow Woman casually.

“I will no longer take instruction from Red Sky Man!” he said. This got their attention and they all turned.

“Has something happened?” asked Painted Turtle Man.

“What has happened,
Moosum
,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy, “is that I have made a decision.”

Painted Turtle Man let his raised eyebrows fall.

“The decision was never yours to make!” stated Walking Moon Woman, matriarch of the Bear clan. “I will decide what goes on in the Bear lodge!”

“
Nookum
,” replied Little Grey Bear Boy. “I mean you no disrespect, but I know as well as everyone here this was never your decision either…”

Walking Moon Woman looked at Little Grey Bear Boy, astonished by his words. She wanted to get angry but she knew he was right. She relinquished. “I am sorry, my boy. I do not know how it ever came to pass that the Bear clan would lose control over its own destiny. I am so ashamed…”

The old woman sat back down where she was and began to cry. Singing Doe and White Willow Woman went to comfort her.

“What would you have us do?” asked Blue Elk Man.

“I had not thought about that…” admitted Little Grey Bear Boy.

“I have an idea,” said Painted Turtle Man. “I have been thinking about this for quite some time. In fact, I was hoping something like this might happen.”

“You were hoping my son would make my mother cry?” exclaimed White Willow Woman.

“
Motch
, my girl. I had hoped we would have reason to challenge the other clans meddling in our family's destiny.”

“What is your plan?” asked Brown Shield Man.

“I think it is time my grandson began his vision quest.”

The entire family was silent for a time.

“Your solution is to send my son away?” asked White Willow Woman.

“It would only be for four days!” assured Painted Turtle Man. “When one of the
Nehiyawak
has come to a crossroads in his or her life, then the time of the vision quest is at hand. He will walk the forest and commune with the spirits and with our animal brothers. He will ask
Kitchi Manitou
to give him a vision so he may make the right decision on which direction his life journey should take.”

“How will we do this?” asked Blue Elk Man. “Red Sky Man will say it is for him to decide as Little Grey Bear Boy's teacher.”

“It is time the Bear clan decides its own destiny,” said Walking Moon Woman.

The next morning, White Willow Woman walked to the Crane lodge to inform Drifting Butterfly Woman that Little Grey Bear Boy would begin his vision quest. The Crane clan warriors spread the news throughout the village, as was their duty.

Later in the day, as the Bears were making their preparations, a Crane clan warrior came to the Bear lodge.

“
Tansi
,
Nookum
,” the warrior said respectfully, addressing Walking Moon Woman. “The Circle of Clan Mothers will gather this night at the Eagle lodge.”

“The Circle is to gather at the Eagle lodge?” repeated Walking Moon Woman.

“
Tapwe
, this is what I have been told.” The Crane warrior bowed and left the Bear lodge.

“What does this mean, my mother?” asked Singing Doe.

“It means the Circle now meets in secret…”

“But that is not the way of the
Nehiyawak
,” said White Willow Woman.

“
Motch
, my girl,” answered Walking Moon Woman. “It is not…”

The Bear clan continued with their preparations. Anyone who saw them frowned or looked away. Painted Turtle Man continued about his work without a second thought to the gossiping
Nehiyawak
. The task at hand was to see his adopted grandson taking his first real steps towards becoming a man. Little Grey Bear Boy would walk the forest alone for four days and nights seeking a vision to guide him on his life's journey. Painted Turtle Man cared about nothing else than to see him readied for his quest—and to be there to help him interpret the vision.

“Have you got a tent?” he asked.

“
Motch
, I do not,” answered Little Grey Bear Boy.

“What did you use at the sundance?”

“I borrowed one from my sponsor, Many Fish.”

“Well, go and ask him if he will let you use it,” instructed Painted Turtle Man.

“
Tapwe
,
Moosum
.”

Little Grey Bear Boy crossed the village and went to the Crane lodge. “Ahem!” he said outside the entrance way. One of the children came to the door and, seeing who it was, shouted: “It's the Grey-Eyed boy!”

“Little Grey Bear Boy!” said Many Fish, coming out. “What brings you here this fine day?”

“I came to ask you to loan me your tent.”

“Are you going hunting?”

“
Motch
, Uncle. Painted Turtle Man says it is time for me to go on my vision quest.”

“
Tapwe
,” said Many Fish, touching his forehead. “I knew that…Of course you can use it. I am honoured you would come to me on such a special occasion as this.”

“Thank you, Uncle. I am honoured you would help me, as you did with the sundance.”

“Anytime, my boy. I know you will take good care of me when I am an old man.” He winked.

Little Grey Bear Boy took the hides wrapped around four short poles. As he was returning to the Bear lodge with the tightly bundled tent, he heard a voice he had been dreading.

“What are you doing?” It was Red Sky Man.

“I am preparing for my vision quest…”

“Ha!” exclaimed Red Sky Man, cutting him off. “Don't bother, you won't be going anywhere.” He walked away chuckling to himself.

Little Grey Bear Boy felt a burning sensation behind his eyes and a vibration in the air as he quickly returned to the Bear lodge. The grass beneath his feet turned yellow as he walked across it. He burst into the lodge. Everyone there could feel the power of his anger. The hides on the Bear lodge were strained as an unseen force pushed on them.

“What is the matter, my son?” asked White Willow Woman.

“I just saw Red Sky Man,” explained Little Grey Bear Boy, trying to compose himself. “He told me not to prepare for my vision quest, that I would not be going anywhere.”

“I can guess what topic you will be discussing at the Circle tonight,” Painted Turtle Man said to his cousin. “Strange that the clan mothers inform Red Sky Man, when they have not yet informed you…”

“Yes, thanks for pointing that out,” Walking Moon Woman said, frowning.

That evening, the Bear clan matriarch and her daughters made their way to the Eagle lodge. The three Bear clan women entered the lodge and found the other matriarchs already gathered, chatting among themselves. The chatter stopped as soon as the Bear clan appeared. Walking Moon Woman noted Red Sky Man sitting with the Eagle twins. Drifting Butterfly Woman stood just inside the door. It appeared she had just arrived.

“My sister,” said the younger Eagle twin to Walking Moon Woman, nodding at her daughters. “This gathering is only for matriarchs.”

“Will Red Sky Man be leaving us?” asked Drifting Butterfly Woman as she took her seat.

The younger Eagle twin scowled.

“Singing Doe and White Willow Woman can stay,” said Talking Stone Woman, matriarch of the Deer clan. “It concerns them as well.” The Bear clan women took their place in the Circle of Clan Mothers.

Drifting Butterfly Woman began the meeting. “My sisters. We have been called here to discuss recent events. It would seem there is disharmony in the village. On one side, the Bear clan wishes to send Little Grey Bear Boy on his vision quest. On the other, the Eagle clan has expressed concerns…”

“My sisters,” interrupted Walking Moon Woman. “What ‘concerns' can the Eagle clan possibly have for how I raise my grandson?” The matriarchs all nodded, with the exception of the Eagle twins.

“My sisters,” said the elder Eagle twin. “It was previously agreed by this Circle that Little Grey Bear Boy would be taught by our Eagle medicine carrier. To our knowledge, this decision has not been rescinded. Should it not be the boy's teacher who decides when his pupil should seek a vision?”

Some of the matriarchs nodded while others looked down.

“My sisters,” continued Walking Moon Woman. “It was agreed by this Circle that Little Grey Bear Boy would be taught by Red Sky Man during the day and by Painted Turtle Man by night. In the Circle's wisdom it was decided the boy could benefit most in learning from two teachers. My cousin has advised me that it is now time for the boy to begin his vision quest. Painted Turtle Man has known the boy since the very day he was born, as some of you might remember. I took many things into consideration before deciding this would be a good thing for my grandson…”

“My sister.” It was the elder Eagle twin's turn to interrupt. “Should you have not also taken Red Sky Man's wisdom into consideration before making your decision?”

“I guess it never occurred to me to ask the advice of an outsider as to how I should raise my grandson!”

The clan matriarchs all looked down, ashamed of the implication that anyone should come between a mother and child. This was not the way of the
Nehiyawak
and they all knew it.

“But perhaps you are right about Red Sky Man. I would invite him to offer his wisdom…”

The matriarchs and the twins looked at each other in confusion, while Red Sky Man sat up straight.

“Thank you, my sister,” he said, not missing a beat. “I do not feel the boy is ready to undertake the vision quest. He is only fourteen summers and still has much to learn. I believe his teachings are well behind what they should be at his age. Perhaps if he had the benefit of a teacher with previous experience with the Grey-Eye magic, he would have been ready.”

The Eagle twins nodded proudly and searched the faces of the other matriarchs for approval.

“Thank you, Red Sky Man of the Eagle clan,” said Walking Moon Woman. “I have taken your thoughts into consideration and have decided Little Grey Bear Boy will embark on his vision quest under the guidance of Painted Turtle Man.”

Drifting Butterfly Woman was unable to stifle her laughter for a moment. Red Sky Man looked furious that he had been fooled by the Bear clan matriarch. The other matriarchs wondered why they had gathered in the first place.

“My sisters,” announced Drifting Butterfly Woman when she had composed herself. “I for one do not believe there is anything more to discuss in this matter.”

“My sisters!” exclaimed the elder Eagle twin. “I do not believe enough consideration has been given to this matter. If she could just be made to understand that…”

“My sister,” said Talking Stone Woman, matriarch of the Deer clan. “A matriarch has spoken for her grandson. There is nothing left for any of us to discuss. Would the Eagles next tell me how to raise my family? I am glad Soaring Star Woman was not here to see what our Circle has become…”

The matriarchs looked up into the starry sky, remembering their great leader, now gone on to the Great Mystery. Soaring Star Woman had led them with wisdom and grace across many years. Somewhere along the path, they had forgotten her example and in so doing dishonoured her memory.

“My sisters,” said Gliding Heron Woman of the Marten clan. “I am concerned about how we came to this. After we have all had time to clear our minds and hearts of anger and resentment, I will call for this Circle of Clan Mothers to reconsider who we would have speaking for us.”