Now when the foremost ones of more than one of these kin clans possessed a contained or sacred seed-substance, they banded together, forming a society for the better use and keeping of its medicine and its secret (forbidden) mysteries, and for the guidance and care thereby of their particular children. Thus, leading ones of the Bear people, Crane people, and Grouse people became the 'Hléetá-kwe, or Bearers of the Ice-wands as they are sometimes called, whose prayers and powers bring winter, yet ward off its evils to the flesh and fearsomeness to the soul. But at first, there were only four bands of priest-keepers of the mysteries: Shíwana-kwe, or the Priesthood of Priest people; Sániak'ya-kwe, or the Priesthood of the Hunt, who were of the Coyote, Eagle, and Deer kin, Keepers of the Seed-substance of Game; Áchiak'ya-kwe or the Great Knife people, makers and defenders of pathways for the people; and N&eeacute;we-kwe, keepers of magic medicines and invincible knowledge of poison and other evils, whose first great father was Paíyatuma, God of Dew and the Dawn, himself. Out of these and of other clans were formed in later days by wisdom of the Father of Medicines and Rites (the great Póshaiyank'ya, when he returned, all as is told in other talk of our ancient speech) all other societies, both that of the Middle, and the Twins for each of all the other six regions the Tabooed and Sacred Thirteen. But when all was new, men did not know the meanings of their possessions, or even of the commandments (haítoshnawe), even as children do not know the prayers (téusupénawe). They must first be taught these prayers so that in later days, when they need them, they may know them and not be poor.





©1996, Richard Hooker

For information contact: Richard Hines
Updated 6-6-1999