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Meeko is fourteen years old as he begins his boy training. Granbear places Shadowhawk in charge and lets Meeko know that he will share his warrior experiences with him and will always demand truth in his words. Since Shadowhawk carries strong contrar power, Meeko will learn the old ways backwards and forwards. Meeko requests that Shadowhawk become his Hunka Ate or adopted father, as he would become a Hunka Towa or adopted relative. Time is needed beforehand to prepare for the ceremony, which gives Meeko a chance to change the way he looks at his female relatives as he had been instructed. The evening ceremony, held in the tipi, includes the smoking of a mysterious pipe seldom used. Granbear sings songs recounting the history of all the Hunkas. Meeko is presented with a Bear medicine bag to remind him to stand as strong as a Bear. He is then tested by Granbear who requests that he give him his moccasins and clothes. Shadowhawk also requests his help, saying, "enemy in the camp". Meeko rushes to join him in a mock battle. Afterwards he is tied to Shadowhawk reminding him that he and Shadowhawk are bound for life. Summer Solstice arrives aand Meeko wishes to participate in the Sacred Sun Dance. Granbear, Shadowhawk, and other Sundance leaders begin preparations. Meeko spends much time listening to the elders and reflecting on the old teachings since he desperately wants to dance while Granbear is still alive. Granbear hands him his piercing ropes that means he has been sanctioned to Sundance. During the ceremony, Meeko is supported by another dancer named Crow, finding out later that he has danced alongside a great spirit warrior. Crow speaks to him of his future reminding him that the present world demands that he use many new weapons to battle for the freedom of humankind's soul, and that he will come to understand how the human race has suffered at the hand of the ruling people. The young ones being born would help free a fear-controlled society. Meeko never forgets this powerful encounter. Shadowhawk continues to teach Meeko of their history, that they came from the stars to take care of Mother Earth. Shadowhawk also teaches him the respect and skills needed to hunt by studying the ways of the four legs. On one of the many hunts after Meeko and Shadowhawk have stripped, gutted, cleaned, and distributed two freshly killed deer, Shadowhawk gives Meeko a beautiful hand-carved ash bow with arrows. He practices with the bow and arrows, as well as learning tracking skills for survival. Later Meeko receives the unwanted attention of an old medicine woman known as Wicahmunga, a short, chunky, toothless, bush-haired witch with the lazy eye. He finds out that she too has contrar power, particularly the ability to put spells on others. Shadowhawk explains that she is a powerful Medicine woman, and places a hammered silver earring shaped like a hawk feather in Meeko's left ear for protection and instructs him to take the other to Wicahmunga. Meeko fears her bad medicine. In the spring Granbear dies and Meeko returns to the orphanage to complete his education as his grandfather had wanted. |
© 2000 The Red Pathway Learning Center & Foundation, Inc.
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Wind Wolf Woman |