…whether he had a few or a few too many. Nevertheless, the horses were always taken care of first, brushed down, watered and fed, while the groceries and supplies were being removed, before we sought the comfort of the stove and the supper table. As time went on the farmers began building sled cutters which were completely enclosed and in which they installed a small wood-burning stove. These were marvelous units, gaily painted and creatively streamlined, providing the farmers and their families with a relative degree of comfort during the long treks into town to pick up supplies, medicine, groceries and mail. On those rare occasions when she accompanied him into town or when they visited with friends or relatives Mother enjoyed the opportunity to travel in the cutter that father designed and built. Modern travel had invaded the Saskatchewan outback and now only the horses had to suffer through the winter weather.
The brothers replied: “Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.” To God, Who giveth joy to my youth. Brown Bear strolled alone to the bluff overlooking the bay. High above green waters and the multicoloured maples and birch on the far islands, he saw the first arrowheads of honking geese. Three generations of large white birds announced the coming snow and stirred the arrowhead of pain in Brown Bear’s heart. “My little Namid, do you fly with Grandmother Snow Goose to the land of warm breezes? Or does your spirit dance among your sister stars? My beautiful daughter, your father’s heart still boils with anger for those who took you from your home and snatched away your mother’s joy. It’s time, I know, my little Star Dancer, to take your bundle to the resting place of our ancestors. But we cannot take you there until your brother, Running Deer, and I make peace in our hearts, or else our anger will be carried with your bones. We will not be long, my little one. Fly safely on. We will not be long.” Though Brown Bear, Corn Mother and Running Deer had supported one another as a bereaved family, Brown Bear needed to renew his own energy and that of his family, within a village healing circle. As Sachem, White Eagle would organize a cleansing sweat lodge, erected new for the occasion. The sweat lodge would be built close to the stream, dammed to create a cooling pool. This work and the organizing of a healing feast would be done by the women of the tribe. All those who wished to join the circle knew they must make their intentions known to White Eagle well ahead of time and prepare for the ceremony with fasting and sitting apart in the forest. Brown Bear invited his friend White Bear, and Running Deer invited Mountain Thrush. Kiche, Sky Spirit, also was invited out of respect for his position among the newcomers. But Father Finten declined the invitation when he learned to his horror the ceremony would take place in pagan nudity. He forbade Brother Rordan to attend, but Mountain Thrush chose not to obey his priest’s command. Although she never attended the prayers of her companion Brothers, Ula felt drawn to the Native spirituality and asked if she could be included. She wanted to be closer to Corn Mother who had been so good to her when she was ill. Ula asked White Eagle’s permission to be part of the healing circle. Bjorn and Rordan knew that they represented the evil men who had brought pain to Brown Bear and his family and to Grey Wolf for the loss of his ear and the pride of his first kill. Now they’d listen and share with respect and truth and love, and help in the healing of their new brothers and sisters. In the days leading up to the healing circle, Bjorn, Rordan and Ula spent full days sitting beneath single trees in the forest until they each came to know the individual characteristics of their tree and how it was different from every other one in the forest. The day before the circle, White Bear, Mountain Thrush, and Una, were honoured with an invitation to the sweat lodge. Drums announced the sweat lodge healing ceremony. The circular lodge, big enough for thirty or more people, was built low into the ground with a framework of twelve sturdy saplings and covered with woven reed mats and fallen leaves. The tiny door, also covered with a mat, faced east, the source of life, power and wisdom.
How Can I Say It to You How can I say it to you? I want you fresh as buds and braves now that my heart expands calm and serene, with no shadows, diaphanous and clear calling inside it your beautiful reflections. Heartwarming joy when each of you lean your heads unsuspecting towards my heart, when you’re flooded by fairies and their ephemeral beauty with the secret peaceful light of my dream.
Millennia Millennia go by like fleeting moments incising lines in the wings of eternity like sounds morphing cacophony while nature’s green garment gets intoxicated by the aroma of a lilac and spreads its infinite smile to the moon dipped in your tears. The troglodyte stands in front of the pompous high altar he still trembles in fear, while the modern shaman’s imposing figure with the glittering tiara always commands him to kneel, his slavery is a smooth curse he cannot escape. The troglodyte still commanded by the four Golden Gates of Heaven holding him prisoner of the image.
Manolis Aligizakis 