In her book The Gift Is in the Making, Leanne Simpson collected a retelling of the legends and stories of the indigenous peoples of Anishinaabeg. Stories recall the natural values, the imperceptible interrelationships around, and the importance of respect. The morality of tales can be instructive for both children and adults. One of the legends – “Our Treaty with the Hoof Nation,” is devoted to the connections between humans and ungulates, which demonstrates humanity’s dependence on the world of nature. It reminds contemporary people that despite all the progressive technical achievements of humankind, one should not forget that nature gives the major gifts, which require respect and adoration.
One of the features of “Our Treaty with the Hoof Nation” is that Leanne Simpson included the words in Anishinaabemowin, the Anishinaabe language. For example, Waawaashkeshiwag is deer, Moozoog is moose, and Adikwag is caribou (Simpson 9). Initially, meeting these expressions caused me confusion since I did not realize that the writer was giving hints about the meanings of words. Clues to understanding the words designating animals to which the story is devoted are more evident since the English names follow what is written in Anishinaabemowin.
Another example is the names of seasons where one needs to carefully read the text and look for a connection for understanding. In the following sentence, the audience can guess that word “bbon” is about winter by its characteristic feature – snow: “When snow blanketed the earth, the people didn’t even see a single track in the snow – for the whole bbon” (Simpson 9). Based on this understanding, later, when the text describes the search for Hoof Nation by the runners, the readers realize that they are represented by seasons. Finally, to fully clarify the meaning of the words, the writer gives their translation at the end of the story. The fact that this note is not put before the text but after it provides the opportunity to re-read and take a fresh look at the legend.
Besides the unusual form using Anishinaabemowin’s words, the story is distinguished by an instructive plot. According to the legend presented, animals from the Hoof Clan – deer, moose, and caribou – are offended by disrespect from people and leave their lands. This event entails many unpleasant consequences – changes in the behavior of other animals, hunger, and the sadness of people. Only lengthy negotiations with the Hoof Clan help to return them. Thanks to open and respectful communication, the offended party can express its feelings and offer compromises. Such a plot demonstrates how vital dialogue is for achieving mutual understanding and choosing a path beneficial for everyone.
The story is significantly correlated with the principles of interaction with nature proposed by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In her article “Returning the Gift,” she emphasizes the gratitude to nature for its gifts otherwise await unpleasant consequences (Kimmerer 19). In legend, this principle is demonstrated by Hoof Clan’s departure from ungrateful people. Kimmerer (20-21) also suggests that humans should be attentive and recognize the personhood of all beings. Thus, in legend, people feel guilt and negotiate with Hoof Nation recognizing animals’ personal needs. Finally, calls for reciprocity and change in people are also raised in the tale. Humanity must change so that its excessive consumption does not destroy nature. Moreover, if they do not kill many animals during difficult times for the Clan, the latter will give food when people need it. Examples from the studied legend can illustrate all the principles of interaction with the planet proposed by Kimmerer.
Thus, “Our Treaty with the Hoof Nation” is the recorded retelling of one of the legends of the indigenous peoples of Canada. The Anishinaabemowin language for naming animals and natural phenomena makes the story distinctive and places the necessary accents. The plot is designed to emphasize the importance of respect and care for nature. The morality of the legend correlates with the principles of interaction with the Earth, described by Robin Wall Kimmerer, focusing on gratitude to nature for its gifts.
References
Kimmerer, Robin W. “Returning the Gift.” Minding Nature, vol. 7, no. 2, 2014, pp. 18-24.
Simpson, Leanne. “Our Treaty with the Hoof Nation.” The Gift Is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories, Portage & Main Press, 2013, pp. 8–12.