Little Fawn walked along side checking the old woman often. Everyone increased his or her pace toward the edge of the ice. To lose a life on the white field of ice was a bad omen. They must hurry.
It was almost two hours later when the frail body of Buffalo Woman was placed on the rocky earth. Her wrinkled hand reached out to caress the earth. She looked into her daughter's eyes, “I am here. We have made it, I have crossed the ice for the last time.” A long intake of air, followed by a short gasp, ended the life of oldest member of the tribe. Prairie Flower and Little Fawn began to cry. They realized that the old woman had willed herself to reach the other side, ensuring that her people would not be cursed. Gray Wolf appeared at his mother's side. In her grief she needed Snow Eagle's strength to console her. Gray Wolf's strong young arm embraced his mother.
As Shaman, it was Snow Eagle's duty to perform the death ceremonies. In his absence, Little Fawn would prepare the body and Black Rain would call Kah-shu-gon-yah, to receive the soul of Buffalo Woman. The body was wrapped in a woven mountain goat blanket and placed on a cedar mat. A somber mood surrounded the group, who had finally reached the other side and a much needed rest.
Sunflower approached the old woman's body and kneeled reverently to stroke her withered brow. Her eyes searched for Black Rain. He is old and will leave us soon; all of the elders are frail. Soon it will be time for the younger ones to take over. I must have strength. I must do what is best for the tribe. She brushed some ice from the old woman's hair before retreating to sit with her father. Looking at the grief in his face, she whispered, “Once we reach the sea, a Potlach will be held to honor Buffalo Woman. We will miss her.” Sunflower took her father's wrinkled hand in hers, his fingers closed lightly on her hand, seeking comfort.
Snow Eagle reached the end of the mountain trail where a steep descent would take him close to the edge of the ice field. His body ached and his lungs cried out for air from running. He must rest before he tried to climb down the mountainside. He lit a small fire and forced the food into his exhausted body. His knotted stomach rebelled and he knew that he must wait before eating more. Laying on the mossy ground, pulling air into his lungs, Snow Eagle prayed that the Caribou Hunters had not reached his people. He could not bear to think what carnage would greet him, if they had. His legs began to cramp. He stretched and rubbed the tight muscles. Soon, fear pushed him on, he lifted his pack and continued without a much needed rest.
Death ceremonies continued into the night. The body was wrapped carefully and with respect by the women and was then placed upon a wooden frame, a fire was lit under the frame and the body burned. Someone pointed to the sky, dancing with magical green and pink lights. Waving patterns of light lit up the black sky and held the people in awe. “Buffalo Woman has reached the highest heaven, Kiwa-a in the Land of the Dead. It is a sign.” Red Hawk stared at the dancing lights in the sky. She would miss her dear old friend. How long would it be before they lost more of the Elders? Buffalo Woman had willed herself to live until her people were back on solid ground, wanting to prevent a bad omen. She had been successful but still something evil blew on the night wind, Red Hawk felt it deep in her mournful soul. It was not long before the group retired for the night, leaving Red Hawk alone by the fire. Silently she said goodbye to Buffalo Woman; tears ran down her cheeks. Black Rain lay on his blanket and painfully watched his wife's grief, knowing she needed to be alone, he did not approach her.
Buffalo Woman's death made Little Fawn more anxious than ever to see Snow Eagle. After the travelers camped for two or three days they would begin their trek down to the sea. Hopefully her husband would join them soon. Gray Wolf was on watch
It was almost two hours later when the frail body of Buffalo Woman was placed on the rocky earth. Her wrinkled hand reached out to caress the earth. She looked into her daughter's eyes, “I am here. We have made it, I have crossed the ice for the last time.” A long intake of air, followed by a short gasp, ended the life of oldest member of the tribe. Prairie Flower and Little Fawn began to cry. They realized that the old woman had willed herself to reach the other side, ensuring that her people would not be cursed. Gray Wolf appeared at his mother's side. In her grief she needed Snow Eagle's strength to console her. Gray Wolf's strong young arm embraced his mother.
As Shaman, it was Snow Eagle's duty to perform the death ceremonies. In his absence, Little Fawn would prepare the body and Black Rain would call Kah-shu-gon-yah, to receive the soul of Buffalo Woman. The body was wrapped in a woven mountain goat blanket and placed on a cedar mat. A somber mood surrounded the group, who had finally reached the other side and a much needed rest.
Sunflower approached the old woman's body and kneeled reverently to stroke her withered brow. Her eyes searched for Black Rain. He is old and will leave us soon; all of the elders are frail. Soon it will be time for the younger ones to take over. I must have strength. I must do what is best for the tribe. She brushed some ice from the old woman's hair before retreating to sit with her father. Looking at the grief in his face, she whispered, “Once we reach the sea, a Potlach will be held to honor Buffalo Woman. We will miss her.” Sunflower took her father's wrinkled hand in hers, his fingers closed lightly on her hand, seeking comfort.
Snow Eagle reached the end of the mountain trail where a steep descent would take him close to the edge of the ice field. His body ached and his lungs cried out for air from running. He must rest before he tried to climb down the mountainside. He lit a small fire and forced the food into his exhausted body. His knotted stomach rebelled and he knew that he must wait before eating more. Laying on the mossy ground, pulling air into his lungs, Snow Eagle prayed that the Caribou Hunters had not reached his people. He could not bear to think what carnage would greet him, if they had. His legs began to cramp. He stretched and rubbed the tight muscles. Soon, fear pushed him on, he lifted his pack and continued without a much needed rest.
Death ceremonies continued into the night. The body was wrapped carefully and with respect by the women and was then placed upon a wooden frame, a fire was lit under the frame and the body burned. Someone pointed to the sky, dancing with magical green and pink lights. Waving patterns of light lit up the black sky and held the people in awe. “Buffalo Woman has reached the highest heaven, Kiwa-a in the Land of the Dead. It is a sign.” Red Hawk stared at the dancing lights in the sky. She would miss her dear old friend. How long would it be before they lost more of the Elders? Buffalo Woman had willed herself to live until her people were back on solid ground, wanting to prevent a bad omen. She had been successful but still something evil blew on the night wind, Red Hawk felt it deep in her mournful soul. It was not long before the group retired for the night, leaving Red Hawk alone by the fire. Silently she said goodbye to Buffalo Woman; tears ran down her cheeks. Black Rain lay on his blanket and painfully watched his wife's grief, knowing she needed to be alone, he did not approach her.
Buffalo Woman's death made Little Fawn more anxious than ever to see Snow Eagle. After the travelers camped for two or three days they would begin their trek down to the sea. Hopefully her husband would join them soon. Gray Wolf was on watch
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