VI. THE ORIGIN OF THE CRANE TRIBE OF THE OJIBWAY OR CHIPPEWA INDIANS
(Tribe Story)
he Great Spirit sent two cranes from the world above the sky. They came through an opening between the clouds and tried to find a place upon the earth. The Great Spirit told them when they were suited with some spot to fold their wings closely to their sides and wait; a change would come over them.
The pair of cranes flew down to the earth and began to search for a home. They went to the prairies and tasted the buffalo meat. It was good, but there were many days when no buffalo was in sight. They feared that the food would not last, and the two cranes flew to a great forest.
In the forest they tasted of the flesh of the elk, the deer, and many other animals. It was good meat, but it was hard work to hunt, and many days there were neither elk nor deer in sight. [[99]]
Then the two cranes flew to the Great Lakes. They tasted of many kinds of fish. They came to the rapids in the outlet of the lake white men call Lake Superior. Many fish were in this outlet; every day the fish seemed more plentiful than the day before.
“We will find food here forever. We will make our home here,” said the two cranes.
They flew away from fishing in the waters. The two cranes stood on a little hill near the rapids and folded their wings closely to their sides. The Great Spirit saw their faith, and they were changed into a man and a woman. Among the Ojibways there is a tribe called the Cranes, who believe they are the children of these two cranes sent by the Great Spirit to the earth. [[100]]
Moki Basket Weaver
From a Photograph
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