b'THE OLD STORYTELLERThe Twelve ShieldsBy Hank Sheffer, The Old StorytellerI t is said that at one time ourworld was related to the cycle of the seasons in some globe contained only oneway. The animals, the colors of nature, all played landmass. Scientists say thissignificant parts in his everyday existence. His family is so and it is also evidencedbeliefs, though foreign to us, really arent all that through Indian legends. Manymuch different from our own.of these legends are so closely related that they lead one to believe that perhaps they came from the sameTheir society survived very simply, although to do place. One such story is the story of creation which isso, we know it was not always the easiest of tasks told this way: to achieve. We have lost sight of so much that is important. the Indian has not. How quickly we, Long ago there was no earth. just water. The onlyin our go-fast sophisticated world, have learned living things were two spirits who floated aboutto ignore dignity, loyalty, trust, faith, respect, listlessly in the company of a large duck-like bird.understanding, and camaraderie. Are these things so Eventually, however, the spirits grew tired of all thevery difficult to shareto obtain? Perhaps so.water and decided to make some dry land to serveRealizing how closely related the cultures of all as a home for other creatures. They commanded thepeople are around the world, it is no wonder to me, bird to dive down and bring up a little mud fromthat many of our concepts and much of what we the bottom. The bird did as he was told and soonare taught in our churches and governments, comes returned to the surface with his find. One spiritdirectly from the Indian beliefs. It is difficult for our pressed the mud into a cake and let it dry; the secondsociety to accept the truth in this matter, but the truthbeen there for thousands and thousands of years. spirit cast the other remaining portion over the water,cannot be swept under the rug. no matter how hardIt is no wonder that the petrographs have become causing land to materialize all about. we try. Try this old legend on for size: affectionately known as newspaper rocks. They do precisely what the name implies.Then, rolling some mud in their fingers, the spiritsThe Plains Indians, as did many others, believed threw the magic earth upon the ground to create menthat in the beginning Grandfather created twelveThe Indian was cordial. We see this by the way some and women. Next, they made earth-like images oftribal communes on Mother Earth and that theyof the symbols are etched on the rocks. One symbol buffalo, blowing on them to bring them to life. In likewere represented by twelve great shields. When thewould denote the location of water, perhaps game. manner, they molded other creatures to inhabit theirMother changed her face, the tribes were split apartThe next symbol would represent a thank you from world. The newly created men and women began toand the shields were scattered all about the globe.the person who found the designated spot and was marry and rear families and people the land. However, Grandfather would not allow this to besuccessful in finding that water.the end of it and eventually, all his people would be This story was told by a Blackfoot Medicine Chief, reunited. With all that groundwork set forth, we We also know the Indian consumed a lot of grain. but it is not unlike many others told by other tribescan move on. This grain was ground into a mush by the women on and cultures. their metates with rounded rocks called monos. This The Indian knew that he needed two basic things toprocess is much the same as what a pharmacist does The Indian learned how to survive in his environmentsurvive on the Mother: water and the availability ofwith a motor and pestle. It was not uncommon for a long time ago. Grandfather is thefood. During his stay on earth, he knew what hethe women to have two metates; one was portable grandest of the spirits; the Universehad to do to find both. When he did so, he leftand the other was much heavier and of a more is Father Sky; and the world,messages for his fellow warriors so they toopermanent nature. Because these camp metates as we know it, is Mothercould benefit from what he had found. Thesemight weigh as much as a hundred pounds you can Earth. Everything inmessages have been called everything fromsee where transportation would present a problem. the Indianshieroglyphics to petrography. Therefore, they were turned upside down and left at the campsite to await their owners return the The Superstition Mountain range east offollowing season, or whenever.Apache Junction, Arizona, has many of these writings within her boundaries,Now, we have established that the Indian understood as do many other mountain ranges.his own needs and that he was not afraid to relate the They follow a specific northeasterlyinformation he had to others. even to those beyond line around the globe and havehis own lifetime.The Indian knew that he needed two basic things to survive on the Mother: water and the availability of food. During his stay on earth, he knew what he had to do to find both. 8 April 2019'