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28 Tsats-mun-ton
- University of Nebraska Press
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244 28 Tsats-mun-ton A Legend Told by Pauline Hillaire The teachings in Indian Country remain the same. Only the faces of the people change. The teaching on this family totem pole is, as the elders say, “Never go alone.” Whether you are hunting, berry picking, fishing in the deep waters, or gathering basket materials way up in the mountains, “Never go alone” echoed the words, one generation after another. Long ago, one young man in our family was known for his strength, his courage, and his hunting skill. He was also an early riser. His name was Tsats-mun-ton. One morning he awoke very early. Everyone else was asleep. The day started out quiet and very beautiful . How he loved the land, looking at the water, the mountains, and the beach. He knew exactly why he loved the land: it held mastery among his people far and near. Everyone knew Tsats-mun-ton, the hunter of our family. His mind began to wander. He was thinking, “Why do the elders say over and over again, ‘Don’t go wandering anywhere alone’? Didn’t everyone know of his hunting skills? Hadn’t he proven that over and over again?” And today was such a beautiful and peaceful day. He knew what he would do. He’d go to the Forbidden Cove. He quietly and quickly got into his best canoe and started out bravely. Once at the Tsats-mun-ton 245 Forbidden Cove, he secured his canoe and looked all around. He saw the beautiful flowers (now called rhododendrons), the cedar tree limbs reacting to the quiet breeze, the sand and beautiful rocks on the beach, and he inhaled the air gratefully. His thoughts rolled out of him in a great sigh filled with wonder and admiration for Mother Earth and Father Sea. Suddenly he understood the elders in his own way. No wonder they didn’t want anyone to come here; they wanted it all for themselves. With that thought he stepped in the blue, clear water and gazed at his village across Hale Passage. Everything was quiet—not a cricket chirped, no birds were singing, only the cedar trees were wafting in the soft breeze. Deeper and deeper he walked, feeling the fresh coolness of the water. Suddenly, he felt what he thought was seaweed tangle his legs. He simply shuffled it off. But all too quickly the twining of what he thought was seaweed tightened, creeping around his waist. Quickly he drew his knife and began slashing. All too suddenly he knew that the giant squid had him entangled in its many arms. His knife became useless. His thoughts quickly turned home as he looked one last time at his village at Gooseberry Point. His mind and his spirit called to his wife and family. The miracle was that his mother heard him call out to her and to all who had bird Guardian Powers, as she did. Quickly they all arose together in flight to the Forbidden Cove. Looking down, they could each see the trouble that Tsats-mun-ton was in. There was a fluttering of wings and the screams of eagles, ravens, and hawks; even the crows and seagulls helped. The birds clawed at the horrible beast and ripped the flesh apart. With each bite-full and claw-full, they dropped the meat of this terrible beast, and they dropped those pieces all over the area. A very grateful Tsatsmun -ton was freed by the help of his family, loved ones, and relatives. To this day we are reminded of his violating the ancient teaching—never wander off alone—by the false clam meat now growing on the rocks along the shores. Tsats-mun-ton was also reminded of the teaching. His great mind added that he would never again meet evil all at once, for there is false flesh of the Terrible Beast scattered on the rocks at the Forbidden Cove. ...