(photo of 1990 publication..not 1997 plain gray cover publication)
'Boozhoo niijii’ (Aanishinabowiin - it means ‘greetings, my friend.’)
Well, looking on e-bay for publications by Basil Johnston, I found for a few dollars Ojibway Heritage, the first publication which Johnston wrote. Basil Johnston, a Northern Ojibway, is one of the major writers of Native historial facts.
"I would like to state that I have not received any benifit from any patron, fund, foundation or council in the prepartion and writing of this book" (written by M.Johnston in his preface) Meaning this was his first writing and a heartfelt effort based on his love of his Heritage. Now it sits in front of me, thanks to Fred Abrey on Arvada, Colorado. Imagine, going to the southern USA to get a book written by a Canadian Ojibway.
After the great flood which covered the earth, The Women spirit, whom had two new children but with out her man was invited to come live on earth by the water creatures.(photo by native)
"The water creatures observed what was happening in the heavens, sensed the weariness of the spirit women and pitied her. In their compassion, they sought ways to provide relief for her. Eventually, they persuaded a giant turtle to rise to the surface of the water and offer his back as a baven. When the great turtle agreed, the water beings invited the sky-women to come down."
"The sky-women accepted the invitation, left her abode in the skies, and came down to rest on the back of the great turtle. When sky-women had settled on the turtle, shed the water animals to give her some soil from the botton of the sea."
"Gladly, all the animals tried to serve the spirit women. The beaver was one fo the first to plunge into the depths. He soon surfaced, out of breath and without the precious soil. The fisher tried, but he too failed. The marten went down , came up empty handed, reporting that the water was too deep. The loon tried. Although he remained out of sight for a long time, he too emerged, grasping for air. He said that it was too dark. all tired to fulfil the spirit womens request. All failed. All were ashamed."
Finally, the least of the water creatures, the ruskrat, volunteered to drive. At his announcement, the other creatures laughed in scorn, because they doubted this little creature's strenght and endurance. Had not they, who were strong and able, been unable to grasp soil from the bottom of the sea? How could he, a muskrat, the most humble amoung them succeed when they could not?"
"Neverthe less, the little muiskrat determined to dive. Undaunted he disappeared into the waves. the onlookers smiled. They waited for the muskrat to emerge as empty handed as they had done. Time passed. Smiles turned into worried frowns. The small hope that each had nurtured for the success of the muskrat turned into despair. When the waiting creatures had given up, the muskrat floated to the surface more dead than alive, but he clutched in his paws a small morsel of soil."
"When the great had failed, the small succeeded" (This is similar to the Christian saying of "The last will be first and the first will be last" when being accepted in to Heaven.)
And so the earth was made by the Spirit Women.
"While the muskrat was tended and restored to health, the spirit women painted the rim of the turtle's back with the small amount of soil that had been brought to her. She breathed unto it and into it the breath of life. Immediately the soil grew and covered the turtle's back, and formed an island. The turtle had given his service, which was no longer required and he swam away. The island formed in this way was called Mishee Mackinakoug, the place of the great turtle's back, now known as Michilimackinac."
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