The Supernatural Sister

Myths and Legends of The Northern and Northwestern Indians

The ten brothers floated round the coast till they reached another village. Here they took on board a woman whose arms had been accidentally burned by her husband, who mistook them for the arms of someone embracing his wife. The woman was severely burned and was in great distress. The supernatural brothers made a crack in the bottom of the canoe and told the woman to place her hands in it. Her wounds were immediately healed. They called her their sister, and seated her in the canoe to bail out the water. When they came to the Djü, the stream near which dwelt Fine-weather-woman, the latter came and talked to them, repeating the names which the shaman had given them, and calling their sister Supernatural-woman-who-does-the-bailing.

"Paddle to the island you see in the distance," she added. "The wizard who lives there is he who piants those who are to become supernatural beings. Go to him and he will paint you. Dance four nights in your canoe and you will be finished."

They did as she bade them, and the wozard dressed them in a manner becoming to their position as supernatural beings. He gave them dancing hats, dancing skirts and puffing-beak rattles, and drew a cloud over the outside of their canoe.

Compillation made by Lewis Spence