Working with the spirit world is always good for a heartfelt giggle.
In preparing to publish my book White Dove Spirit of 17 Mile House Pub, a question came forward that had me deeply puzzled. Two guardian spirits stepped forward, to support the child in spirit in the story.
Why these particular guardian spirits? Was there a connection between the two?
One guardian spirit was the beautiful soul in the image above: an Indigenous woman named Humishuma, aka Mourning Dove. Among a great many wonderful things this exceptional soul did in her lifetime of advocating for First Nations Peoples was her coup at being cited as the First Native American woman to publish a book from the First Nations perspective. This book was titled Cogawea: The Half Blood.
In an attempt to get to know Humishuma better, I purchased her book Coyote Stories: Indigenous tales told in traditional fashion. I find the antics of the animal spirits not only delightful but thought provoking! Their cleverness and wisdom seem to speak across time.
While searching for a connection between Mourning Dove and the second guardian spirit in White Dove’s story, something mysterious unfolded. Although it had been years since I last opened Coyote Stories, the very story I turned to seemed perfectly chosen. In its pages, I found the answer I had been seeking—an unexpected link between the two guardian spirits.
Although I had not read Mourning Dove’s book for several years, the hint of a connection materialized. In the footnotes of the story I turned to, Why the Flint Rock Cannot Fight Back, the ‘hill’ described in this story is in actuality a famous location known as “Square Butte”. Square Butte is located 5 miles South of the old Fort Shaw Indian school which Mourning Dove attended in her girlhood. Here is where I found the tiniest connection, and perhaps the only ‘physical’ link between White Dove’s guardian spirits. The footnote states:
She (Mourning Dove) frequently went to the butte for picnic parties of Indian children. Fairly flat on top with steep sides, the butte rises some 400 feet above the surrounding plane, and could be seen from distances of 30 to 40 miles in almost any direction. … It was observed by the Lewis and Clark expedition on June 13th, 1805.
In the past, I hesitated to name Sacajawea, perhaps out of humility—not wanting to seem presumptuous—but here her presence is quietly undeniable. Mourning Dove chose to include her, the guide of Lewis and Clark, in her story. Could it be that Sacajawea lived in Mourning Dove’s heart? And through them, could she touch the young spirit in our local pub, and even me? We can only marvel at the mysterious ways Spirit weaves its threads, binding past and present, history and story, into a tapestry of guidance and wonder.
Stay tuned for more stories from the other side…
Catherine ~