| Finally the medicine chief spoke. He told the people that he knew of such a wave. He had heard it was south and had taken some of the villages many years ago. But there had never been such a wave this far north. However, if Ahnung said there would be one, then one there would be. He asked Ahnung when the wave would come. But Ahnung did not know. Ahnung told them that all he knew was there would be one, and they were to follow the golden eagle. He said the spirits had spoken to Ozawahn Migizi and told him where they were to go. They must pack their village up and move to the place Ozawahn Migizi had found for them. The medicine chief said the council would decide what to do and when. Everyone went to their wigwams to think about it overnight. In the morning the council met and smoked the pipe, prayed and prepared to discuss the great wave. They sent for Ozawahn Migizi and asked him many questions. He told them about his dream when he was yet a boy and about his vision when he was told by the spirit eagle what to do. The council discussed it all day and long into the night. The next day they went to see where Ozawahn Migizi said they should move the village. The council looked in every cave without saying a word. They looked at every bank and at the forest on top of the high banks. They looked at the river both directions for many miles. Still they said nothing. Then they returned to the village. Again they talked and talked. Finally they had made a decision. That night at the evening fire they announced their decision. Newayee, "Center", the chief, stood and told the people that they believed the village should be moved. However, anyone that did not wish to go to the new place could stay. Each had to decide for themselves. The village would be moved in one week. Those that were going would need this time to make ready. There was much discussion around the fire that night. There was much discussion for many days to follow. Some going then not going. Others saying it was foolish to move the village. Others that were ready to go almost at once. The village seemed to be evenly divided. Half were going and half were staying. Ozawahn Migizi and his family were ready to move in two days. They had made sure everyone knew how to get to the new place. Then they went to the largest cave and put their things away. There was still much room in this cave, so they went back and helped some of the elders move their things. Ahnung was the next one ready to move. He and his wife and their sons and their families all moved into the large cave too. Then some of the chiefs moved into the cave with their family. Finally that cave was filled and people started to move into the next smaller cave. Ozawahn Migizi helped everyone that needed help to move. He seemed to be everywhere. By the end of the week everyone that was going to move had been moved. All three large caves were filled with several families. Most of the smaller ones were full as well. There were still a couple of caves that had no one in them. But no one else wanted to move. It was not an easy time. People were not used to being crowded together into caves. Everyone had to learn what was best to do and what they should do for the good of all that lived in that cave. By the end of another week, they had finally settled down into a routine. The hunters brought enough food to feed everyone, the women prepared everything together, the young cleaned up and kept everything in it's place. This was not an easy thing to do, but it was done with good natured smiles. Almost like it was a great fun venture. Then one morning the sky was dark greenish gray. The breeze smelled different. The air felt different. It almost made the skin prickly on their arms. Everyone knew it was not a good day. Even the small children seemed to know something was wrong. They did not cry or run about to play. They kept near their mothers with eyes open big. The women made sure there was lots of wood for fires and food stored in parfeches and clay pots. They did not talk much, but seemed to know what each was to do and just did it. The men kept going to the mouth of the cave and looking out. The elders and shamans and chiefs chanted and prayed. |
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| music: Silent Tears |
