Our Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada's Past Read Online Free PDF Page A

mountain, and made it fly to where we were standing. It flew across the valley with a great roar and a rush of wind. This startled the being and he turned to see what had caused it. He turned so fast that he smashed his face on the side of the flying mountain just as it came to rest at his feet. When he turned back around, his face had been pushed to the side; his nose was bent and his lips were twisted.
    â€œThe deformed being then said to me, ‘Truly, it is you who has the greater power and it was you who created all the good things on earth.’ I then told him of my plan to create you, the human beings, and he agreed to use his powers to help you. So if a time comes when you become sick, you may burn the dried leaves of Oyèn:kwa and call on him for help. He will come to you and you will know him by his twisted mouth and broken nose. He will help you and make you well again.
    â€œAnd then everything was in place for me to make you.”
    â€œOh ní:yoht takya’tíson?” the man asked. “How did you make me?”
    â€œEnyesahró:ri,” he answered. “She will tell you. And together you will tell your children everything I have told you.”
    The man and woman looked at each other and nodded.
    â€œYes, you will have children. Many children. And,” he said, nodding at the sun which was now settling into the horizon, “you will have much to tell them because there is still more I must tell you before I leave.
    â€œYou now know how you’ve come to be here and how this earth and everything on it was created. You should know that this land and all of its wonders I made just for you. I have given you the knowledge of how to use all the many forms of life on earth to sustain yourselves. I have given you the knowledge of how to build your lodges, where to find and how to make the things you will need. Everything you will need to know is already within you.
    â€œBefore I leave this earth I will make more human beings. You will meet them. In time you and they will have children. Together your children and their children will have more children. And it is my wish that you will all live together and love one another. It is also my wish that you respect the earth and all the blessings that I have laid before you.
    â€œNow consider this. I have given you life, this land, the knowledge of survival, and the ability to speak with one another, with the medicine beings, and with me. It is my wish that you will be grateful for all of these things; that you will give me your thanks every day; that you will celebrate the earth’s blessings at mid-winter, at harvest time, and at other times throughout the year; and lastly, that you will pass on my words to your children and their children until the end of time. This is what I ask of you.”
    The first human beings sat silent for several moments as they considered the burden to be borne for the magnitude of Creation. Finally, they spoke together. “Tó:kenhske ki wáhi, eh nenyakení:yere tsi niyenhén:we.” “Truly, we will do these things of which you spoke forever.”
    Their promise made, Shonkwaya’tíson stood up and gathered himself to leave. It was dark now. His body, which had softly glimmered during the day, was now glowing warmly and lighting everything around him.
    â€œMy work here on earth is nearly complete. I will soon journey to the sky-world.”
    The humans looked dismayed but Shonkwaya’tíson went on. “Yourdays here on earth are numbered and when you have reached their end, you will do as I do. You will walk the path of stars that lead to the sky-world, where we will meet one another again.”
    The man and woman stood holding each other as the Creator moved away, his glow fading into the distance, his grandmother’s face shining brightly in the southern sky.

    To most people, the story I have just told is just that—a story. Quaint and colourful, yes, but