Snow Eagle

by

SHIRLEY A. ROE

TheEbookSale Publishing

To a people whose lives were ruled by nature and whose love of all things enfolded into their own spirit, making them ONE with the “Great Spirit”. To all present day seekers, may we all find “Oneness” and peace.

Anthropologists, paleontologists and archeologists have discovered the remains of ancient logs that form massive, man-made structures once used to catch caribou, just beyond Old Crow Flats in the northern Yukon. The structures, which consisted of log walls higher than the caribou were known as “caribou corrals.” The log walls were fashioned with stone axes suggesting the corrals were used in prehistoric times. The animals entered at a place where the corral was about five kilometers wide. It gradually narrowed until the caribou were trapped, providing a convenient bin of both live meat and warm hides to feed dozens of families over the long Yukon winters. Carbon dating of fossil bones in the corrals determined they were 30,000 years old.

The
Tlingit
(pronounced “klink-it”) are an Alaska Native tribe and Canadian First Nations people. Their name for themselves is
Lingít
, meaning “people”.
The Tlingit are a matrilineal society who developed a complex hunter-gatherer culture in the temperate rainforest of the southeast Alaska coast and the Alexander Achipelago..

Before the arrival of non-natives in the southwestern Yukon, the Tagish language faced pressure from the culturally dominant Tlingit language and was in the process of replacement. The Tagish people intermarried with the Tlingit and adopted their customs and language. Descendants of the Tagish identify culturally with the Tlingit.

The name
Tagish
itself
is a place name
, which means ‘it (spring ice) is breaking up'.

Due to the difficulty in pronouncing the Tlingit and Tagish names, the author has chosen to use their English equivalent. Here are some names, as they would appear in Tlingit for the reader's information.

Some of the tribes that the Tlingit traded with lived in the same area of Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon.

As a proud Canadian, I hope you enjoy this fictional story set in a background of true historical fact. The mores and customs of the people are represented as accurately as possible to give a realistic account. Please understand that without a written history, folklore and legend is our most accurate basis for how the Tlingit lived. Enjoy!

Snow Eagle stood on the ridge above the village, surveying the valley and hills that surrounded their chosen place. His buckskin pants flapped mercilessly against his legs in the wind's fury. Small particles of dirt blasted his bare shoulders; he hardly noticed. His arms were folded across his chest almost defying the strong gusts to move him from his perch. A few stray dark hairs escaped their leather binding, assaulting his face as the thick gray clouds rolled over the valley like an avalanche of snow. His firm square jaw was set, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. His dark eyes methodically scanned the mountainous horizon and the village below. The summer village reminded him of a field of mushrooms. The round huts made of pelts had been adapted from tribes farther north. In winter, the Tlingit lived in permanent large, plank houses by the ocean. The pelt huts made it easy to pack up camp and move when the warmer summer months came to an end. Everything appeared peaceful at the moment, but for how long, no one knew.

A small ptarmigan appeared in the rocks pecking precariously at the ground; its spotted brown plumage showing patches of white was a sign that colder weather was approaching. Snow Eagle knew that soon the bird's entire body would be covered in white feathers, making an excellent camouflage against the snowy landscape of winter. This was only one of nature's signs that it was time to move.

After several minutes, satisfied that there was no danger, Snow Eagle turned and began his decent. Every step carefully placed as leather contacted rock and earth; aware that one wrong move and he would tumble to his death. His large, calloused hands caressed the rocks, smooth from years of wind and water; his palms could feel the wisdom of the ages in their surface. Their energy mingling with his as he gripped each handhold steadily and without fear. Muscles strained as he reached for hand and footholds. His bulging thighs moved his body powerfully down the cliff. Snow Eagle loved high places. As his name reflected, the eagle was one of Mother Earth's highly revered creatures and he was honored to bear its name. The wolf /eagle and raven, were the totem animals of the Clans of the north. Sweat mingled with water droplets on his bare back and chest, as darkening clouds released their heavy burden. It felt cool on his skin, refreshing. Snow Eagle smiled as he thought of Little Fawn waiting for him below. How beautiful she was; her raven black hair dappled with gray hung to her slim waist, her eyes as black as the night and full of wisdom. She would be irritated with him if he tarried much longer. Women worried about such foolish things, he thought to himself; however, he increased his pace without sacrificing his safety.

“Snow Eagle, where have you been? You know there is an important council meeting tonight. As Shaman of the tribe you have much to prepare, now get busy.” Her small hands rested on firm trim hips, a few gray hairs mingled with the raven black strands cascading down her back. He could not help himself. He reached out and pulled her to him, feeling the warmth of her small body against his. She wrestled against him in annoyance “This is no time for that, now where is your sage for smudging?” He laughed a deep rich laugh that made her feel warm all over. She looked up into his brown eyes and felt herself drawn toward him. Resisting the urge, she turned and continued stoking the compact fire in the center of the large round hut. Smoke drifted gently to the small cracks in the pelt walls, tiny flames awakening to her gently prodding.

“I was up on the ridge. It is important that no one surprises us during the council meeting. Stop worrying, I will be ready in time. Am I not always dressed and seated before everyone else? Now where is Gray Wolf, he will have to be here for tonight's discussion?” He moved towards a tied bundle in the corner of the hut and began to organize his ceremonial items, a large intricately carved pipe, headdress of eagle feathers, a leather pouch of tobacco and sage. The headdress was unusual in Tlingit society. Most Shamans wore a woven hat or carved wooden mask. The eagle feather headdress had been handed down to Snow Eagle from his uncle, the Great Shaman of the Tlingit people. Snow Eagle's uncle, now deceased, had taught him well. He was proud to wear it. The interior of the hide hut was warm and cozy but the wind and rain beat out its rhythm on the roof. He removed a packet of dried sage from the bundle and poured it into a large flat shell, ever conscious of nature's heartbeat in his ear.

“Your son is off causing trouble I am sure. He is head strong and stubborn and I fear that he will get all of us killed if someone doesn't convince him he is making a terrible mistake.” Little Fawn, wiped the perspiration from her furrowed forehead with the back of her tiny hand. In the other, she held a large stick used to roast a chunk of rabbit over the fire. “The Elders are angry. Does he not realize that he is putting all of us in jeopardy with his war raids and now this, what was he thinking?”

“He is young and fearless. Although he is a fine warrior, he does not have the patience and cunning of his namesake. A gray wolf knows to lay in wait for the prey, not rush head long into a confrontation that could get him killed. He is also a young man whose body demands physical satisfaction. Sometimes a man's desire overcomes his head. Wisdom will come with age, but we must ensure he lives long enough to learn.” The mention of Gray Wolf caused him to feel anxious. He didn't like confrontations of any kind and tonight; there would definitely be one. Snow Eagle loved his son but because of his own spiritual nature, he could not understand how a man took such pleasure in war and killing. Even hunting, made him sick, but Gray Wolf could kill a deer with one arrow, straight to the heart. He shook off the anxiety. Snow Eagle took his sacred rattle from the bundle and laid it beside the shell of sage. At the end of the rattle was a carved eagle's head, eagle feathers hung from worn leather strips over the full length; the wooden body of the rattle was rubbed smooth from years of use. It was one of Snow Eagle's prize possessions, handed down from generation to generation and he handled it reverently. As the tantalizing odor of roast rabbit and wood smoke filled his nostrils, he realized that he was hungry. He had not eaten since early morning. He moved towards the fire, anxious to fill his growling belly.

In another small hut in the village, Black Rain paced back and forth, his steps slow and hindered. His back was hunched under his wolf robe, his eyes downcast as he searched his mind for a solution. “We have to do something with Gray Wolf. He is a threat to all of us. This latest stunt will get all of us killed in our sleep. I'll suggest we send him off on a mission of some kind while we plan our move. Perhaps he could go to scout the way across the mountains toward the sea?”

“You know as well as I do, that our grandson would never agree to that and even if you order him, he would find a way to get out of it. He is cunning that one. It is sad that his impetuousness prevents him from being the great warrior he could be. He reminds me of another hot headed warrior many years ago.” The old woman pulled her deerskin robe tighter around her thin body as the wind blew through the narrow opening in the doorway. She rose to secure the hide that covered the door. “A nasty night, we will have to meet inside the long hut instead of at the sacred fire.” A shiver ran through her body, caused not only by the cold wind but also by the sense of dread that filled her being. Red Hawk was one of the most revered women of the tribe and her ability to see and sense future events was well known throughout the territory. There were times she wished that she could not see the future. Once again her thin body shuddered; wrinkled sad eyes rested upon her husband, who continued to pace on gnarled, arthritic legs. She remembered when he was strong, young and impetuous like Gray Wolf. But Black Rain had learned to control his impatience and had grown to be a strong responsible leader, one of the greatest the tribe had ever known. Her son Snow Eagle, on the other hand had been born with a more spiritual, gentle nature, which suited him well in his position as Shaman. “Snow Eagle will come up with something. Our son is wise, like his mother.” A small chuckle escaped her lips. Red Hawk's brother had been a great Shaman, as Snow Eagle's uncle, it was his responsibility to teach his successor. She sprinkled crushed Devil's Claw root into a small bowl of hot water and handed it to Black Rain. Hopefully, it would ease his aching legs. She placed a chunk of roasted grouse in a wooden bowl. “Now sit and eat, we have a council meeting to go to.” Her words rang positive, but in her heart the darkness grew.

Eight Elders, five men and three women sat crossed legged around a huge fire. The Council long hut was the only structure made of planks in the summer valley. Two large totems stood in either side of the door, one Raven, one Wolf displaying the two moieties of the Tlingit Clan. The fire gave the long, rectangular hut an eerie orange glow. Corners remained dark, shadows lurking like dark omens over their heads. The hut pulsed with the low steady beating of the drums. An outer circle of tribal members made up the council. Snow Eagle lit the sage and slowly pulled the fragrant smoke towards his body with his cupped palm. He started at his feet, working his way up his entire body in order to clear and cleanse his spirit. Slowly and ceremoniously the shell made its way around the circle moving in a clockwise direction, hands fanning the cleansing smoke over their bodies. Red Hawk seated to Snow Eagle's right, was the last to receive the shell. After cleansing she passed it to a young girl who immediately smudged the rest of the people in attendance and the entrance to the hut.

“Where is Gray Wolf?” Clouds of Thunder asked, irritation evident in his tone. He impatiently brushed a red spark from his buckskin with a leathery hand.

“He will be here shortly, his absence will give us time to discuss this situation before he arrives. I am aware that all of you feel my son has made a grave mistake.” Snow Eagle held up a Hawk's wing and passed it to Black Rain on his left, the customary signal for Black Rain to begin speaking.

“Our clan has become one of the most powerful in the Kwaan. Our traders travel many miles. Our trade routes are long and well known. Our warriors defend our village and bring us more slaves and power. Gray Wolf has insisted on making several raids on neighboring tribes. I agree that some of them, like the Squamish were a threat but his last raid on the Tagish was purely for personal reasons. The question is what can we do about it now?” Black Rain passed the Hawk's wing to Waving Pine, the tall, thin Elder to his left.

“I say we order him to return the girl immediately and take his consequences. I am sure they will kill him and solve our problem for us.” Waving Pine had no sympathy for Gray Wolf and his foolishness. Waving Pine fidgeted in an attempt to make his tall aging frame more comfortable on the hard ground. His name suited him well and although his hair was gray, it was still thick and full, making him a striking figure.

Stroking the Hawk's wing, Clouds of Thunder paused before he began. His large wrinkled hands were speckled with brown spots. “The man is a great warrior, it is only his manhood that drove him to take the girl. We could just release her and let her return to her tribe. We will be leaving for the sea in a few days. We can punish his impulsiveness in some way that will get his attention. Black Rain is right; we are now one of the most powerful and revered clans. We must do nothing to lessen our status.” He stroked the soft feathers of the Hawk's wing pensively before passing it on.

“I agree. Let her go as soon as we are ready to leave. It will take her at least one moon to reach her people and we can be long gone by then.” Buffalo Woman nodded in agreement, her white head bobbing up and down. The Hawk's wing trembled in her fingers as she slowly placed it in the lap of Raging Bull.

“I am getting too old for this nonsense. I say we banish him for good and he can take the woman with him.” Raging Bull, once a huge powerful man was now reduced to skin and bone. His toothless mouth slurred his words and his voice trembled when he spoke, the wing dropped onto the earth in front of him as his weak grip gave way. Sunflower reached over and retrieved it before it rolled toward the flame. Whispers could be heard throughout the group.

“My Father is right. Gray Wolf should be banished for endangering all of us. It will be difficult enough reaching the sea without an angry enemy on our tail.” Sunflower was one of the youngest elders, a few years younger than Snow Eagle. Her hair was light brown, almost golden, surrounding her brown skin like the petals of a flower. Her mother had been a white woman, who died shortly after Sunflower was born. Raging Bull had raised her to succeed him on the council and every part of her being was trained and honed to do just that. She could be a force to be reckoned with if she did not agree, but she was a stickler for tradition and custom. Respectfully, she passed the wing to Red Hawk.

“Gray Wolf needs to be punished for bringing the girl here and putting all of us in danger but I think that Clouds of Thunder is right. He is a courageous warrior and if we can find a way to control him, he will be a definite asset. Perhaps we can turn the girl's presence into an advantage. It is she that Gray Wolf values most. If she is with child, our tribes would be united but it will be long after we leave this place that we will know this for certain. The Tagish and the Tlingit could form a great nation.” Several gasps were heard in the long hut. The captive's pregnancy was not something they had considered however if there was a child, it could be a good omen. Many tribes had united in the past and become much stronger and very successful. Red Hawk's predictions were usually right. “Therefore, I say we take the girl with us and we discipline Gray Wolf in a way he will not soon forget.” She passed the wing to Snow Eagle, who would have the final say before the open discussion began.