Muinji’j Becomes a Man Page 2

  In the morning when Muinji’j woke up, he wasn’t sure what was happening. It looked like it would rain and the noise from the river was over powering. He lay there and listened for a while until he realized it wasn’t rain at all. The mist from the falls was making it look like rain. Suddenly he thought, ‘Our furs will be ruined. They’re all wet.’ When he got up, he found that his niskamij had already taken care of the furs. He had somehow gotten up during the night and turned the canoe over. He had packed all the furs underneath the canoe so they would be safe and dry in the morning. Muinji’j wondered how his niskamij could be so strong and so thoughtful all the time.

  After their breakfast of pitewey and lu’skinikn, Muinji’j and his niskamij started to portage their furs around the falls. Muinji’j wanted to show his niskamij how strong he was. He carried bigger loads and tried not to stumble. They made trip after trip. It was then that Muinji’j realized, ‘If this is hard work right now, it is going to be even harder on the way back. We have to come back with all those supplies and do this over again.’ But he felt that all the hard work was worth it. He was glad to be able to make the trip with his niskamij.

  The last to be moved around the falls was the canoe. Muinji’j tried to help his niskamij as much as he could, but he wasn’t tall enough to carry the canoe. He carried the bundles, the paddles and the remaining supplies. Along the trail his niskamij seemed to stumble. He also stopped many times. Muinji’j was worried that his niskamij was getting weaker.

  When they had reached the river below the falls and packed all their furs and supplies into the canoe, Niskamij said, “Muinji’j, I don’t feel well. We may have to stay here for a while until I’ve rested.”

  Muinji’j was disappointed. He wanted to keep going, but when he looked at his niskamij, he could see the agony in his face and he felt ashamed. “Okay, Niskamij, we’ll do as you say. Shall I make camp now and get firewood?” asked Muinji’j.

  “No, Muinji’j, that’s not necessary. We’ll see how I feel as the day progresses and then we’ll decide what to do.”

  He made a fire while his niskamij rested. He grabbed the fishing line and hook to catch a trout for dinner. He cooked the fish and made the pitewey. He was anxious to take care of his niskamij. Normally Niskamij had to encourage him to finish his chores, but today he needed no encouragement. His niskamij was sick and he wanted to keep him well.

  After they had eaten, his niskamij lay back for a while and smoked his pipe. He said, “This is good. This is good because you are taking responsibility. You will be a man before you know it. Perhaps when you are a man, you will leave me behind and travel to the city to live.”

  “No,” said Muinji’j. “I will be with you and my nukumij forever. That is my responsibility. That is my place.”

  Niskamij smiled and puffed on his pipe. He lay back and dozed for a while. After a short rest, they set off again.

  As they travelled down the river that day, every thing seemed quite normal. The sun was shining and eventually, the roar of the falls was left behind. Along the riverbank were places where tall grass grew. Every once in a while Muinji’j would see a ti’am or a qalipu, as well as flocks of ducks.

  That evening, the wind had changed and was blowing upriver. Muinji’j could smell something different. The air was fresh, clean and clear. The trees smelled fresh and the water tasted good. “Niskamij, what’s that funny smell. It smells like something rotting,” he said.

  “What you smell is the salt sea air and when the salt air mixes with the fresh air it makes that smell,” his niskamij explained. “Once you reach the sea, you will realize that it’s not something rotting, but something very powerful. It’s the sea that you smell. We’re not far away now.”

  Just around the next bend in the river, Muinji’j saw the biggest lake he had ever seen in his life. He watched the huge waves that came up on the beach. He had never before seen the ocean and was greatly excited.

  Muinji’j helped his niskamij pull the canoe onto the beach. He quickly knelt down to drink from this lake. Before his niskamij could say ‘No, Muinji’j,’ he had tasted his first salt water.

  Instantly, he had to spit it out. He said, “Wow, this is crazy! This is so different, Niskamij. Is there something wrong with this water?”

  His niskamij explained, “This is salt water. It is not fit for drinking, but there are things in this great lake, as you call it, like whales and seals. The salmon that we catch comes from this water. It tastes different from what you are used to, but it’s alive. It was put here by the Creator. It just serves a different purpose. Tonight, we camp here and tomorrow we’ll complete our journey to the city.”

  All night, Muinji’j couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned, imagining what the journey would be like on the big lake. Every once in a while, he asked his niskamij, “Niskamij, how far is it to the city?”

  “Oh, it’s probably two days away. That is, if the wind is right and the waves are small because then we will make good time. If not, maybe we’ll have to stay here for a month,” his niskamij replied with a chuckle.

  “A month! One whole month, Niskamij? How could we stay here for a month? We’ll go crazy on this little beach with nothing to do. Nukumij will be worried and she’ll send someone to look for us,” said Muinji’j. He knew that his niskamij was just joking with him because he could see the smile on his face.

  “No,” he said. “It won’t be a month, but it could be a couple of days.”

  Muinji’j finally fell asleep. When he woke up his niskamij was up, but Muinji’j knew immediately that he was sick. First Muinji’j felt disappointed, then concerned as he walked over to his niskamij.

  Niskamij looked at Muinji’j and said, “I can’t go anywhere today. I’m not feeling well. We’ll have to stay here.”

  “Niskamij,” said Muinji’j, “what can I do? How can I help you?”

  “I don’t know, Muinji’j. I don’t know. It’s my age and the hard work, you see. This may be my last trip to the city. The work is too much for me,” Niskamij replied weakly.

  Muinji’j gathered firewood and made a fire for his niskamij. He made pitewey, but his niskamij couldn’t drink it. Finally, he said to his niskamij, “You lie down and rest.”

  All morning, Muinji’j cared for his niskamij. “Niskamij, can I help you in any other way?” he asked. “Can I get medicines for you?”

  “Yes, Muinji’j. Do you know the medicines I need?” Niskamij asked.

  “I don’t know, Niskamij, but if you can show me or tell me, I can gather them for you,” said Muinji’j.

  “First, Muinji’j, you have to climb to the flats above the river and find some beaver root. You reach into the water and pull out the roots from the pond. Then you must gather alder. After that, you will have to dig in the moss to find the yellow root. Next you must find and collect balsam fir and the leaves from the blueberry plant. Along the river you will find wild cherry and wild dogwood trees as well as ground juniper; collect some from these as well. If you can find those things and bring them to me, I will show you how to make the medicines to help me get well again,” Niskamij explained to Muinji’j.

  Although Muinji’j was worried about his niskamij, he was also proud and excited that his niskamij was trusting him with the sacred duty of collecting the medicines from the land. ‘Maybe some day, I can be a medicine man,’ Muinji’j thought to himself.

  Off he ran to the top of the hill where he found a little pond. He quickly found the beaver root that his niskamij needed. As he looked around from the top of the hill, he could see way out and across the big lake. How glorious it looked. How strong and powerful, too. He wondered how they could ever cross it and reach the city.

  Soon he was off again to find all the things that his niskamij had wanted. After many hours, he came back with all the plants and roots he had been instructed to find. He was tired, scratched and bruised, but feeling good to be able to help.

  Niskamij asked Muinji’j to collect water from the river an
d make a fire. When the water boiled, his niskamij showed him how to prepare the medicines.

  “Now,” Niskamij said, “we need to build a sweat lodge. We have very little hide to make a covering, so this is what we’ll do, Muinji’j. I want you to dig a hole in the sand as deep as you can make it for now. Then we’ll make a fire. We’ll put rocks on the fire to make them hot. We’ll build a shelter over the hole using alders, birch bark, balsam fir boughs and any thing else we can find. Inside, we’ll put the hot rocks and we’ll bring the medicine into the lodge. Those medicines that you have made will help make me well again.”

  Niskamij tried to help Muinji’j build the sweat lodge. When they had finished, it looked something like a beaver house. Muinji’j chuckled to himself. He’d seen sweat lodges before, but his looked different.

  After Muinji’j had heated the rocks and put them in the lodge, he and his niskamij entered. Muinji’j poured some of the medicine onto the hot rocks to create steam. Niskamij drank some of the medicine. Muinji’j prayed with his niskamij to the Creator that all would be well again. He prayed for his nukumij, he prayed for his people and he prayed for a safe journey. Above all, he prayed that his niskamij would remain strong for many years to come. He prayed that the medicine he had collected would make his niskamij well again so that they could continue with their journey.

  After what seemed like many hours, they came out of the sweat lodge and his niskamij said, “I have to lie down now, Muinji’j, and let the medicine work. Tomorrow we will see what happens. So we rest now and wait until tomorrow to see what the Creator will have in store for us.”

  Muinji’j was so tired from the day’s work that he fell asleep and, for the first time in many moons, he didn’t dream. The next thing he knew, it was day light; the morning had come and his niskamij was still lying down. That was strange. His niskamij had always been up in the morning.

  Muinji’j was afraid that something had happened to his niskamij during the night. He inched a little closer and tried to listen. Slowly, he reached out his hand and touched his niskamij. “Niskamij,” he said, “Niskamij! Are you okay?”

  Slowly his niskamij opened his eyes and said, “Yes, Muinji’j, I’m still here, but I’m very sick and weak. I don’t think I can make the journey to the city. I would like some pitewey. Will you make some for me? Then we will talk.”

  Muinji’j went outside, walked to the river and made a tobacco offering with the tobacco his nukumij had put in his bundle. He prayed to the East for protection for his niskamij. He prayed to the South to ask the Nukumij to come and protect his niskamij and make him well again. He prayed to the Spirits in the West that they would not take his niskamij yet. He prayed to the North, to the White Bear, to give him the strength, courage and wisdom that he needed to look after his niskamij.

  When Muinji’j went back to their campground, he started a fire and made pitewey for his niskamij. He then sat and talked with his niskamij about the sickness that he had. His niskamij talked of the Spirit World and how important it was to be ready when the time comes for the spirits to take you and give you a seat of honour.

  “Muinji’j, I’m old and I’m weak. I don’t think I can make the trip to the city. If I taught you how to sail the canoe and if I taught you what to look for when you get there, would you be okay?” Niskamij asked.

  “But, Niskamij, I’ve never been to the city before. I’d be too afraid,” Muinji’j said.

  “Come now, Muinji’j. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Come and we’ll go to the canoe and I will teach you how to sail the canoe by yourself,” Niskamij urged.

  Reluctantly, Muinji’j went, but his heart was sad. He loved his niskamij and he didn’t want to leave him, but at the same time he was excited that his niskamij was trusting him and giving him so much responsibility.

  Niskamij rigged the sail on the canoe and said, “Get in the canoe, Muinji’j, and try sailing around this little harbour. When you feel comfortable, we will load the canoe and you can sail to the city.”

  Muinji’j got into the canoe and sailed up and down the little harbour many times. His niskamij lay on the beach and watched him. Niskamij felt proud that Muinji’j was so strong. He had hoped, too, that Muinji’j would live with him and Nukumij forever. Niskamij knew the times were changing and soon Muinji’j would feel the draw of the outside world and would want to leave his home.

  Finally, Muinji’j came ashore and said, “I’m ready, Niskamij. I’m ready to go to the city.”

  “Good,” Niskamij said. “Let’s load this canoe down with furs and we will see what happens. Muinji’j, I will stay here at the campsite and drink the medicines you have collected for me. I will try to get well so that when you return from the city, I will be strong enough to make the journey upriver with you.

  “You go to the city and trade our furs. When you get the supplies, come back and meet me here. Beware, for there are many traps in the city. Muinji’j, you have to be tough. The trader will try to cheat you out of your furs. He will tell you that the furs are no good or that the prices he has to pay you are low. There are two traders in town. When you get to the trader, ask for the other trader, Pierre. Tell him you have furs to trade. Immediately the trader will know that he’s got competition and he will want to give you a good price. So, as soon as you have the supplies, load them into the canoe and leave the city. Come back here and we will start our journey home. Muinji’j, be careful and extra cautious.”

  With that, Niskamij hugged Muinji’j. Muinji’j felt tears running down his face. He didn’t want to leave his niskamij, but he didn’t want his niskamij to see him cry so he turned his head and moved away. After a few minutes, he came back. “Okay, Niskamij, I’m ready to go.”

  West

  Muinji’j got into the canoe loaded with furs and everything he owned, and sailed out through the little harbour. Before he rounded the point, he looked back and saw his niskamij standing there, holding his walking stick. He looked so frail. He waved to his niskamij and his niskamij waved back to him. Then he sailed around the point and his niskamij was lost from sight.

  All day, Muinji’j sailed along the coast line. He saw seals that day for the first time. They looked like big otters to him. He saw whales, too. He saw huge towering cliffs with waterfalls that came out over them. At times, Muinji’j was afraid and he wished that he could go back to be with his niskamij and feel the warmth and protection that he had always given to him. He knew he was on a journey to sell furs and get supplies, but he was also on a journey of strength and courage. He knew he must succeed, not only for his own sake but for the sake of his niskamij and his people.

  It was nearly dark when Muinji’j decided he had to find a place to camp for the night. He knew he wouldn’t reach the city that day.

  After finding a nice beach and making sure his canoe and his furs were safe, Muinji’j was too tired to even make a fire. He curled up on the beach and fell asleep. That night his dreams were not of the city. He dreamed that his niskamij was well again and as strong and straight and powerful as he remembered him. He dreamed that his niskamij gave him directions on how to get to the city and what to do and what to say to make sure he made the best deal possible.

  Muinji’j was awakened by a strange noise. Slowly he opened his eyes. On the beach all around him were seals. They were all over the place and Muinji’j was afraid to move. Finally, he stood up. His movement made the seals splash into the water. ‘Wow,’ he thought, ‘they’re afraid of me. Now I don’t have to be afraid anymore. I’m the stronger one here.’

  Muinji’j felt good. He made a fire and he made some pitewey. He also had some of the lu’skinikn that his niskamij had made. The morning was clear. The sun was just coming up over the hills and the strong, powerful smell of the ocean reminded him of what his niskamij had said. The ocean was powerful and he had to be careful at all times. It would decide whether you came or if you went. This morning, the ocean was calm and Muinji’j said, “I guess the ocean is saying that I can go now
.”

  After he had finished his pitewey, he pushed his canoe into the water and started paddling. He paddled until just before dark. Ahead of him was a strange glow that looked like thunder and lightning had come down and stayed and Muinji’j was afraid. He wondered what it was. It was then that he remembered that his niskamij had talked about the strange light that they had in the city. ‘This must be the city,’ Muinji’j thought. There was no need to camp tonight. He would paddle until he reached the strange light.

  Muinji’j paddled all throughout the evening and early night, trying to reach this red glow. As he got closer and closer, the light became more powerful. Muinji’j rounded the last point and what he saw in front of him looked unreal. The lights from the city made everything look different. There were strange smells blowing from the strange looking vehicles that were going back and forth. People were moving around, but no one spoke to each other. They all looked like they had somewhere they needed to get to fast.

  Muinji’j slowly paddled closer until he found a place to land his canoe. It looked like a quiet spot where no one would bother him if he stayed for a while. It was too late to go and look for the trader. Muinji’j sat on the beach for the rest of the night just looking in amazement at all the things that were happening. He said to himself, ‘Those people never sleep. They’re moving around all night long. Don’t they have any wigwam? Don’t they have a nukumij to take care of them?’

  Suddenly, Muinji’j felt lonely, longing for his own wigwam, his nukumij, and the people in his village. He went to sleep at a late hour. He wondered how his niskamij was doing. Was he okay? He was longing for all the things that were familiar.

  Muinji’j knew that when dawn broke, he had to find a place to sell his furs so that he could return to his niskamij. Muinji’j drifted off to sleep.

  When he woke up, the sun was high in the sky and people were moving again. Without even making pitewey, Muinji’j pushed his canoe out into the bay and went searching for a place to camp so he could get ready to do some trading. The day was bright and clear and Muinji’j was thankful.