BIRCH BARK PLATE mi'kmaq story

My heart is young and I wish to be at peace.

I feel alone on this land.

My blood family no longer walks forest trails since I was very small. And now Niskam has taken my uncle away.

There was a solemn weeping in my uncle’s wigwam. At the funeral there were stories of his ancestors and animals he killed in many hunts.

Then the festival of his joining relatives and friends began. His wigwam of birch bark is where I lived for a long time. Now that he is gone, it is my fear I must now walk alone.

The sun and moon will be guides in my quest for a new father. Mother Earth is my protector. I am Marten, a child in search of Glooscap.

I seek his strength and his love.

I am still a child and must belong to him.

In the days of walking, my legs ache much. At night my body shakes from hunger. I am sure Glooscap looks down at me from his mountain at Cape Blomidon.

I say believe in me. Come be my father.

You say, child, show me how brave you can be.

When I say I love you, you just smile.

Show me your face, oh great Manitou. See my pain. Come with me. Be my friend, if I cannot be your son.

The nicest thing we can do for each other is giving.

I have made this plate for you to eat upon. Braided around the top is sweet grass. It is stitched together with sinew, wet birch bark twisted.

After making this plate I take it to the woods. My mother earth laughs. She knows I am just a child and no match for a mighty spirit like you, Glooscap.

He will never have you for a son, she mocked, before my journey began.

I carry all the things I need. This is a journey to your heart, Glooscap, even when black flies bite me.

Wood is gathered, fire burns. Fish is boiled and meat roasted on coals. It is the way my uncle taught me.

Food and drink is placed on the birch bark plate. Then I pray. The medicine man comes with news from the village about my quest. They wish me to return, he says. Someone will care for me.

But I scorn him.

My father is Glooscap, I answer. I search for him to adopt me. I am Marten. I wish to become his son.

Then the medicine man leaves.

I face north to show respect to the creator and earth mother. Please accept my offerings and my prayers, I ask.

I bless myself and leave this sacred place. It is enough not to speak anymore. Then questions enter my mind. Did I do everything? Was it enough?

Then the medicine man comes back once more and tells me that I should be happy. The village understands.

They also share my pain.

I say I will remember them. Smiles come from each of us. Hugs and kisses to everyone, I tell him. Saying goodbye to the medicine man is hard as I continue my quest.

It seems to learn you must lose someone. First my parents did not return from the moose hunt. Then my uncle received a wound that did not heal.

He was so kind. His wigwam was warm with caring. I desired to remain there until I had grown into a man. Then he was gone. The sky became darkness without light.

My loss was so great, this heart had to bleed streams and rivers.

To learn means to be in pain.

To grow means a young boy must be tested.

To heal means to look forward to the future.

I travel to the home of the beaver. At a place called Five Islands. It is here where they are building a dam to Cape Blomidon. They wish to conquer Glooscap.

It is time for me to prove my bravery.

My hair is long and tied on two sides with cords of leather. The maple bow is strong and ready. The arrows tipped with bone are made of cedar, and feathered with Eagle’s quills.

I move toward the beaver colony, one boy against many.

From a distance, Glooscap watches Marten and is proud. Instead of fighting, today he is wise and chases the beaver away.

After smashing their dam, Glooscap takes the boy to his new home, high up on Cape Blomidon.

Marten takes the hand of his new father.

He finds strength and love.

“Hau! Hau! Hau!” is Marten’s new cry. It is full of joy.

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© Richard L. Provencher and Janice (White Feather) Sack 2008

NOTE:
This story was written in memory of Harold William Sack.

Richard & Esther Provencher invite you to read “FOOTPRINTS” at: www.synergebooks.com. “Someone’s Son” and “Into The Fire” will be out soon. The link to “FOOTPRINTS” is: http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_footprints.html